Saif Hassan, Towhid Hridoy Fifties Propel Bangladesh To Big Win Over Rivals Sri Lanka | Cricket News

Bangladesh’s Shamim Hossain jumps to celebrate after their win against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup cricket match at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Opening batsmen Saif Hassan and Towhid Hridoy hit determined fifties to support their economical bowlers, leading Bangladesh to a tense four-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in their Asia Cup Super Fours match on Saturday.

Sri Lanka posted 168 for seven, thanks to Dasun Shanaka’s powerful 64 off 37 balls, but Bangladesh responded effectively with Saif (61 off 45 balls) and Hridoy (58 off 37 balls), finishing at 169/6 in 19.5 overs.

Despite losing Tanzid Hasan to Nuwan Thushara in the very first over, Bangladesh maintained their composure during the tricky chase.

Captain Litton Das partnered well with Saif, contributing 59 runs for the second wicket in 5.2 overs.

Saif was in excellent form, hitting left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage, who had returned to the team after attending his father’s funeral, for two sixes and then adding another maximum off Thushara.

Saif reached his fifty in 35 balls but soon lost Litton Das to Wanindu Hasaranga.

Following this, Saif formed a valuable 54-run partnership for the third wicket with Hridoy, who punished spinner Kamind Mendis for 16 runs in the 15th over, bringing Bangladesh closer to their target.

However, Saif fell to Hasaranga trying to accelerate further, leaving Hridoy to complete the chase, which he nearly did before being dismissed by Dushmantha Chameera.

This wicket caused some last-over jitters for Bangladesh, who lost two more wickets but managed to secure the win.

Earlier, Bangladesh’s bowlers were mostly consistent with their line and length, although Shanaka’s powerful fifty helped Sri Lanka reach a competitive 168 for seven.

Batting first, Sri Lanka made a brisk start with Pathum Nissanka (22 off 15 balls) and Kusal Mendis (34 off 25 balls) adding 44 runs in 5 overs.

Nissanka hit pacer Shoriful Islam for three consecutive fours, while Mendis smashed left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed for a six, giving Sri Lanka early momentum.

Nissanka’s dismissal, caught by Saif Hassan off pacer Taskin Ahmed, changed the course of the match until Shanaka revived Sri Lanka with his excellent knock.

Mendis soon departed, skying left-arm spinner Mahedi Hasan to Saif Hassan at backward square leg, leaving Sri Lanka at 58 for two.

Kamil Mishara and Kusal Perera struggled as boundaries dried up during the middle overs.

Sri Lanka went nearly five overs without hitting the boundary, but the dismissals of Mishara and Perera may have worked in their favour.

Spinner Mahedi and pacer Mustafizur Rahman (3/20), Bangladesh’s most successful bowler, restricted Sri Lanka’s batters with pace-off deliveries and cutters.

Mishara attempted a reverse lap against Mahedi but was bowled, while Perera edged Rahman to keeper Litton Das, leaving Sri Lanka at 97 for 4 in 13.4 overs.

Former captain Shanaka and his successor Charith Asalanka (21) then shared a 57-run partnership for the fifth wicket to rescue Sri Lanka.

Left-arm spinner Nasum suffered under Shanaka’s power, conceding 4, 6, 6, the last a thundering sweep, as Sri Lanka advanced.

However, the run out of Asalanka ended the partnership and brought Bangladesh back into the match before Shanaka hit a four and six off Taskin in the final over.