Bangladesh kick off super four with thrilling 4-wicket win over Sri Lanka

Bangladesh launched their Asia Cup Super Four campaign in dramatic fashion, defeating Sri Lanka by four wickets with just one ball to spare in a nail-biting finish at the R. Premadasa Stadium.

Chasing 169, Bangladesh needed just one run off the last two balls—but the path to victory was anything but smooth. The final over turned into high drama. Zaker Ali Anik struck a boundary off the first ball, reducing the equation to a single run from five deliveries. But the twist came immediately: Anik was bowled next ball by Dasun Shanaka’s cunning off-cutter.

Sheikh Mehedi then walked in but failed to score. Off the fourth delivery, an attempted pull ended in the wicketkeeper’s gloves. The umpire dismissed Sri Lanka’s loud appeal, but Shanaka called for a review. UltraEdge confirmed a faint nick, sending Mehedi back for a duck.

With one run needed off two balls, Nasum Ahmed calmly nudged a single to seal victory with a delivery to spare. Bangladesh finished on 169 for 6, avenging their earlier group-stage defeat against the same opponents.

The foundation of the chase was built by Saif Hasan (61 off 45) and Towhid Hridoy (58 off 37), who stitched vital partnerships after an early setback. Saif’s career-best innings, featuring two boundaries and four sixes, earned him the Man of the Match award. Hridoy, under pressure after a run of poor form, responded with his fourth T20 half-century, decorated with four fours and two sixes.

Bangladesh’s innings began shakily when Tanjid Hasan Tamim departed for a duck. A 59-run stand between Saif and Liton Das (23) stabilized matters, followed by a 54-run partnership between Saif and Hridoy that kept the chase alive.

Earlier, put into bat, Sri Lanka posted 168 for 6. Skipper Shanaka top-scored with an unbeaten 64 off 37 balls, while Kusal Mendis (34), Pathum Nissanka (22) and Charith Asalanka (21) provided support. Shanaka and Wanindu Hasaranga picked up two wickets apiece in Bangladesh’s reply, but it wasn’t enough to deny the Tigers.

With this tense win, Bangladesh took a crucial step toward the final, leaving fans on the edge of their seats until the very last ball.