Asia Cup Super 4s: Shanaka’s Explosive 64 in Vain as Bangladesh Beat Sri Lanka by 4 Wickets
In a thrilling Asia Cup Super 4s match versus Sri Lanka, Bangladesh won by four wickets, chasing down 169 with one ball remaining. Captain Dasun Shanaka lit up the innings with an explosive 64 off 37 deliveries, but his brilliance was insufficient as Bangladesh's Saif Hassan and Towhid Hridoy scored key half-centuries to help their team win in Colombo. The match not only kept Bangladesh's aspirations alive in the competition, but also demonstrated their developing maturity under pressure in high-stakes games.
Bangladesh’s Chase Led by Saif and Hridoy
Bangladesh's innings got off to a rough start as Nuwan Thushara dismissed Tanzid Hasan early. However, Litton Das and Saif Hassan held the innings together with a quick 59-run stand in six overs. Saif's strong stroke play, including three sixes, kept the run rate under control. His half-century, struck in just 35 balls, shifted the momentum in Bangladesh's favor.
Towhid Hridoy then teamed up with Saif to score 54 crucial runs for the third wicket. Hridoy's daring batting, culminating in a 16-run over against Kamindu Mendis, put Sri Lanka's bowlers under continual strain. While both batters finally fell—Saif to Wanindu Hasaranga and Hridoy to Dushmantha Chameera—Bangladesh remained composed in the closing overs, crossing the finish line at 169/6 in 19.5 overs.
Sri Lanka’s Innings Carried by Shanaka
Sri Lanka started well, with Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis scoring 44 runs in the first five overs. However, disciplined stints by Taskin Ahmed, Mahedi Hasan, and Mustafizur Rahman slowed the scoring rate. Rahman was the star bowler, finishing on 3/20 and destroying the middle order.
At 97/4, Sri Lanka appeared vulnerable until Shanaka counterattacked. His 64 off 37 balls, punctuated by powerful smashes against Nasum Ahmed and Taskin Ahmed, revitalized their innings. He scored 57 runs for the fifth wicket with Charith Asalanka (21), securing Sri Lanka's competitive total of 168/7. But in the end, it fell short of Bangladesh's composed chase.
Conclusion
Bangladesh's triumph demonstrated their increasing temperament in close matches, with Saif Hassan and Towhid Hridoy rising to the situation. Shanaka's innings reminded Sri Lanka of his match-winning ability, but the lack of partnerships proved expensive. As the Super 4 stage advances, both teams will need to maintain consistency in order to compete for a berth in the Asia Cup 2025 final.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for general informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, readers are advised to verify match details and statistics from official tournament sources before drawing conclusions.