Asia Cup 2025: Nissanka Fifty, Sri Lanka Thrash Bangladesh by 6 Wickets

Bangladesh’s Top-Order Collapse Proves Costly

Bangladesh’s Asia Cup 2025 campaign got off to a bad start with a 6-wicket loss to England in Group B in Abu Dhabi. The loss exposed Bangladesh’s weak top order as they were reduced to 53/5 in just 10 overs but they recovered to score 139/5.

Apart from a fighting stand between Jacques Ali (41) and Shamim Patwari (42)**, the score was never enough against Sri Lanka’s strong batting order.

Sri Lanka’s Seamers Dominate PowerPlay

Sri Lanka started brilliantly with the ball, delivering two successive wicket-maidens.

• Nuwan Thushara bowled Tanzid Hasan Tamim (0) in the first over.

• Dushmantha Chameera removed Parvez Emon (0) in the second.

At one point, Bangladesh found themselves at 0/2, marking their first-ever such collapse in T20Is. Even Litton Das (28 off 20) tried to counterattack, hitting three boundaries in the PowerPlay, but a poor shot selection ended his stay.

By the halfway mark, Bangladesh were reeling at 53/5, putting enormous pressure on their middle and lower order.

Jaker Ali and Shamim Patowary Save Bangladesh from Embarrassment

Bangladesh’s only positive came through Jaker Ali and Shamim Patowary, who stitched an unbeaten 86-run stand for the sixth wicket.

• Jaker Ali played a composed knock of 41 off 34 balls*, rotating the strike.

• Shamim Patowary counter-attacked with 42 off 30 balls*, including 4 boundaries and a six.

Their efforts dragged Bangladesh to 139/5, a score that at least gave their bowlers something to work with.

However, as Jaker admitted after the match, the top-order failure in the PowerPlay cost them the game. He stressed that openers should not always look for sixes and boundaries every ball, but instead focus on rotating strike and building partnerships.

Nissanka and Mishara Lead Sri Lanka’s Chase

Sri Lanka, in reply, made light work of the modest target. Despite losing Kusal Mendis (3) early to Mustafizur Rahman, the chase was set up perfectly by Pathum Nissanka (50 off 34) and Kamil Mishara (47 off 32).

• Nissanka brought up his half-century with six fours and a six, also completing 2,000 T20I runs in the process.

• Mishara, after surviving a dropped chance, counter-attacked brilliantly against Shoriful Islam, smashing 18 runs in one over.

Their 95-run partnership for the second wicket effectively killed the contest.

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Bangladesh’s Bowlers Struggle

Bangladesh’s bowling attack lacked penetration:

• Mustafizur Rahman (1/35) was expensive despite an early breakthrough.

• Mahedi Hasan (2/29) bowled with control, dismissing Nissanka and Kusal Perera.

• But the rest of the attack looked toothless against Sri Lanka’s disciplined batting.

Sri Lanka eventually cruised to 140/4 in 14.4 overs, sealing a comfortable 6-wicket win with 32 balls to spare.

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Updated Group B Points Table

The result puts Sri Lanka in a strong position in Group B with an improved net run rate. Meanwhile, Bangladesh now face a must-win game against Afghanistan to keep their qualification hopes alive.

👉 Check the latest Asia Cup 2025 Points Table on ICC official site

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Post-Match Reactions

Bangladesh batter Jaker Ali admitted that the batting unit collectively failed:

• “We cannot expect openers to hit sixes every ball. Rotating strike is equally important.”

• “Together we batted poorly, and together we lost.”

• “We still believe we can qualify. We came here to be champions, not just to participate.”

This honesty reflects Bangladesh’s awareness of their weaknesses, but unless the top order steps up, progression in the tournament looks tough.

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Brief Scores

• Bangladesh 139/5 (Shamim Patowary 42, Jaker Ali 41; Mahedi Hasan 2/29)**

• Sri Lanka 140/4 in 14.4 overs (Pathum Nissanka 50, Kamil Mishara 47; Mustafizur 1/35, Mahedi Hasan 2/29)

Result: Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets.

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Final Thoughts

This match showcased the stark difference in approach between the two sides. Sri Lanka were calm, clinical, and confident—both with bat and ball. Bangladesh, on the other hand, crumbled under early pressure and left too much for the middle order to repair.

For Sri Lanka, the form of Pathum Nissanka is a big boost going forward. For Bangladesh, their top-order crisis remains the biggest hurdle in their Asia Cup 2025 journey.

The Tigers now face a do-or-die battle against Afghanistan, while Sri Lanka look to carry this momentum into their next group clash.

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