BAN VS SL T20I

Right then, that is it from the first Super Four game of the 2025 Asia Cup and it is Bangladesh who have given themselves a wonderful opportunity to make a claim for a spot in the Final. Still, early days in this phase of the competition and up next is take two of the monumental clash that the cricketing world has been waiting for. India face Pakistan here in Dubai on Sunday, 21 September and that game will begin at 8 pm IST (2.30 pm GMT). But as usual, you can join us a lot sooner for the build-up as well. Till then, take care and goodbye!

The skipper of Bangladesh, Litton Das, says that before the Asia Cup, they played a lot of matches and he feels like they were pretty comfortable in chasing. Also says that they all believed in Saif Hassan and they are really blessed to have a player like him. Ends up saying that now their focus is on the next match and he hopes that they keep their momentum.

The captain of Sri Lanka, Charith Asalanka, says that it was a terrific game where they, as a team, held their nerves till the end but it was not enough. Shares that he is pleased about the batting effort but could have done better in the last two overs. Believes that they were 10-15 runs short. Praises Dasun Shanaka for the way he batted, having been sent at number 5. Mentions that the spirits were high in the camp at the halfway mark as they were aiming 170 at the start of the game and they almost got there.

Saif Hassan wins the Player of the Match. He says that the ball was coming nicely to the bat and he just tried to time his shots. Also says that his skipper, Litton Das, helped him a lot to guide him throughout the inning. He also shares that he feels really happy to contribute to the team. Ends up saying that the preparation was good and they executed their plan properly.

The Presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, Litton Das put Sri Lanka into bat, which seemed to have backfired a bit as the Lankan openers got off to a flying start. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis put on 44 runs inside 5 overs before Nissanka got out. Bangladesh then did well to stem the flow of runs after the Powerplay. Sri Lanka kept on losing wickets in the middle overs before finally Dasun Shanaka and Charith Asalanka led the fightback. The former Lankan skipper was in a devastating mood as he hit 6 biggies in his unbeaten knock of 64 off just 37 balls. As for Bangladesh, Mustafizur Rahman was outstanding, picking up 3 for 20 as Mahedi also contributed with 2 wickets and an economical spell.

Sri Lanka had a perfect record in the initial group stage of the competition and had brushed aside Bangladesh in their previous encounter but will now face an uphill task if they are to qualify for the final. Nuwan Thushara did provide them with the perfect start as well but the early wicket wasn't followed by a sustained spell of pressure. Wanindu Hasaranga did his best to bring his side back into the game in the middle phase with a couple of wickets but again, that fifth bowler was the issue for the Lankans. They had to use Dasun Shanaka extensively and even Kamindu Mendis, who bowled just one over but an expensive one.

Chasing 169 for the win, Bangladesh lost Tanzid Hasan for a duck in the very first over but then came the counter-punch from Saif Hassan. Litton Das provided good support before getting out but Saif carried on and brought up a half-century. He too got out but Bangladesh were carried forward by Tawhid Hridoy, who played the telling knock and he too scored a fifty. With just 10 runs needed for the win, Hridoy got out and failed to take his team over the line but he had done enough. There were a couple of nervy moments in the final over, though.

THE BANGLA TIGERS ROAR! They have taken revenge for that resounding loss in the previous stage of the competition against Sri Lanka and have kick-started the Super Four stage with a crucial win. It seemed to be one of Bangladesh's more clinical wins but there was some drama in the final over. Amidst all the chaos, Shamim Hossain kept his cool and made sure his team didn't fumble it right at the death.

Bangladesh get over the line in a nervy fashion! Shamim Hossain was gone had the throw hit. On a back of a length from around the wicket, outside off. Nasum waits back and taps the ball on its head. Directs it towards the man at gully and he is called through for a single by Hossain. The ball goes straight to the gully fielder, who collects it calmly and has a shy at the batting end but misses. Hossain leaps in delight after completing the winning run.

Nasum Ahmed comes in with Bangladesh still needing a run to win.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! A loud shout for caught behind but not given! There was a noise. Dasun Shanaka is convinced and Charith Asalanka takes the review. Hasan starts to walk off as soon as the review is taken. Dasun bends his back and goes short, pushed across the right-hander. Mahedi premeditates as he skips down the track and swings across the line. The ball goes behind and it is taken by the keeper, Kusal Mendis. The UltraEdge shows a spike, confirming the outside edge. A shot that could have been avoided and Mahedi Hasan has paid the price. Shamim throws his bat in anger at the other end. Bangladesh still need 1 run with 2 balls left.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! A loud shout for caught behind but not given! There was a noise. Dasun Shanaka is convinced and Charith Asalanka takes the review. Hasan starts to walk off as soon as the review is taken. Dasun bends his back and goes short, pushed across the right-hander. Mahedi premeditates as he skips down the track and swings across the line. The ball goes behind and it is taken by the keeper, Kusal Mendis. The UltraEdge shows a spike, confirming the outside edge. A shot that could have been avoided and Mahedi Hasan has paid the price. Shamim throws his bat in anger at the other end. Bangladesh still need 1 run with 2 balls left.

A dot first up to Mahedi! The yorker is nailed, on the off stump. Mahedi hits it firmly but straight to mid off.

Mahedi Hasan is the new batter in.

OUT! TIMBER! Jaker Ali goes for the glory shot and perishes! Dasun switches to around the wicket and bowls the leg-cutter, on a good length, on the off stump. Ali has a swipe across the line. Gets beaten on the inside edge and the ball goes on to hit the off pole.

OUT! TIMBER! Jaker Ali goes for the glory shot and perishes! Dasun switches to around the wicket and bowls the leg-cutter, on a good length, on the off stump. Ali has a swipe across the line. Gets beaten on the inside edge and the ball goes on to hit the off pole.

FOUR! SCORES ARE LEVEL! Dasun Shanaka goes into the surface, over middle. Jaker reads the off-pace delivery and rides the bounce to pull it behind square on the leg side for a boundary.