Bangladesh Vs Sri Lanka Highlights, T20 Asia Cup: SL Edge Past BAN In 'Naagin Derby', Win By 6 Wickets

Good evening and welcome, cricket lovers! We are back with another Asia Cup live blog and this time it is a fresh iteration of the famed Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka rivalry. Build-up, pre-match stats, toss update, team news and live updates coming up.

Bangladesh: Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Litton Das(w/c), Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali, Shamim Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Saif Hassan, Nasum Ahmed, Mohammad Saifuddin, Nurul Hasan, Shoriful Islam

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kusal Mendis(w), Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka(c), Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Binura Fernando, Dasun Shanaka, Nuwan Thushara, Kamil Mishara, Chamika Karunaratne, Kusal Perera

Sri Lanka play their Asia Cup opener in Abu Dhabi after Bangladesh’s convincing win over Hong Kong. The islanders aim to get off to a strong start, facing a confident Bangladesh side led by Litton Das, who is eager to build on their early momentum in the tournament.

Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka ahead of the match said, "Mentally, the fact that we are defending champions is a really good thing. It was a lot of these players that played in that last tournament here [in UAE] as well. We know that because we are champions we can go far. The players are using that as motivation.

"When you're rating these conditions with other venues in the UAE, I think Abu Dhabi is the best pitch for batters.

"Once the ball gets softer it's much easier to bat here, and the outfield is very nice. Every batsman wants to play in Abu Dhabi."

The Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka Asia Cup 2025 Match 5 will be streamed live on the SonyLIV app and website as well as FanCode. The will also be televised live on the Sony Sports 1 and Sony Sports 5 channels. Hindi commentary will be available on Sony Sports 3, and Tamil/Telugu commentary on Sony Sports 4.

Check out the three key battles from the Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka clash that will play a major role in deciding the outcome:

Litton Das vs Dushmantha Chameera
Pathum Nissanka vs Tanzim Hasan Sakib
Towhid Hridoy vs Wanindu Hasaranga

The weather in Abu Dhabi will be sunny, with temperatures soaring up to 37°C. Humidity will hover around 59%, and wind speeds of 24 km/h are expected. Conditions should remain dry throughout the evening, favoring a good contest.

The pitch at Sheikh Zayed Stadium is expected to be dry with some cracks emerging but remains overall run-friendly. The shorter boundary on one side should encourage aggressive batting. In the previous match, the surface seemed to assist bowlers, especially spinners, making early breakthroughs crucial. The nature of the wicket might be on the slower side.

Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have played 20 T20 matches and the head-to-head record lies in the favour of the islanders. Sri Lanka have won 12, and Bangladesh have won 8.

Sri Lanka have won the toss and chose to bowl first.

Bangladesh: Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanzid Hasan, Litton Das (c, wk), Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali, Shamim Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka (c), Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara

Similar to the head-to-head record, Google’s win prediction also suggests that Bangladesh are likely to struggle against Sri Lanka. The win probability stands at 39% for Bangladesh and 61% for Sri Lanka.

Shock development as Taskin Ahmed misses out of Bangladesh’s playing XI for unknown reasons. It remains unclear whether it’s due to injury or a strategic surprise. Shoriful Islam comes in as his replacement.

Sri Lanka make an explosive start as Thushara opens the bowling with an inswinging delivery that rattles Bangladesh’s top order. Tanzid falls cheaply, and it’s a wicket maiden to kick off the innings, setting the perfect tone for the Lankans.

What a start this is for Sri Lanka! Chameera strikes to remove Parvez Hossain Emon, and the scoreboard still reads zero. Back to back wicket maidens in Abu Dhabi have put Bangladesh under immediate pressure. Hridoy and Litton now face a big challenge to steady the innings.

Bangladesh are in trouble as Towhid Hridoy is run out for 8 off 9 balls. Earlier, he survived a tough chance off Thushara’s cutter that skied high to mid-off, but Asalanka fumbled the opportunity.

Hridoy’s attempt for a risky third run ends in disaster, leaving Bangladesh scrambling and the scoreboard reading barely any runs.

Hridoy and the team now face a big test under mounting pressure.

Shanaka who is possibly the sixth bowling option for Sri Lanka bowled the last over in the powerplay, Litton senses an opportunity and responds brilliantly, smashing three fours in the over.

After a shaky start to the powerplay, Bangladesh finally find some stability, giving them a glimmer of hope.

Sri Lanka, however, will be determined not to lose their grip on the game.

That's that for the fourth-wicket partnership. A 27-run alliance between Mahedi Hasan and Litton Das had raised hopes of a Bangladesh revival, but Wanindu Hasaranga strikes with a googly. Hasan is trapped in front and the Lankans reassert their dominance.

BAN 43/4 (8)

What a comeback this has been for Hasaranga! First, he tempts Jaker Ali with a sharp googly, it hits the stumps, the lights flash, but the bails stay put.

A moment of drama that didn’t last long.

Just two balls later, Hasaranga delivers again, this time to Litton Das.

Litton tries an ambitious reverse sweep but misses completely, and the ball pops up off his pads.

Kusal Perera takes the catch, and after a successful review confirming a glove edge, Hasaranga claims his second wicket.

Bangladesh are now on their knees, with Hasaranga’s googlies absolutely dominating the proceedings in Abu Dhabi.

Sri Lanka smell blood and are not letting go.

BAN 54/5 (10)

Sri Lanka haven’t yet unleashed their full arsenal of spinners, but Bangladesh are calmly rotating the strike and finding their rhythm. With a steady run-a-ball approach, they are gradually settling into the innings, trying to rebuild after early setbacks.

The pressure remains high, but the Bangladesh batters are showing some resistance.

BAN 76/5 (13)

Shamim steps up for Bangladesh as they attempt to stabilize the innings.

With the team reeling from early setbacks, he takes on the daunting task of damage control, trying to guide Bangladesh towards a defendable total.

100 comes up for Bangladesh.

BAN 100/5 (16)

The Shamim-Zakir partnership is becoming a major cause of concern for Sri Lanka, as they haven’t been able to break through.

Shamim unleashed the first six of the innings in the 19th over, injecting much-needed momentum into Bangladesh’s chase for a defendable total.

The pair are steadily putting up resistance, frustrating the Lankan bowlers at Abu Dhabi.

Costliest over of the innings as 18 come off it.

BAN 131/5 (19)

Chameera came close to running through the Bangladesh line-up with his laser-guided yorkers in the closing overs. Pathirana lacked control.

However, the Shamim-Zakir partnership held strong, adding a crucial 86* runs together. Their determined effort ensured Bangladesh reached a defendable total.

Now Sri Lanka have 140 runs to chase in their innings as the battle in Abu Dhabi enters its next exciting phase.

BAN 139/5 (20)

Shamim and Zakir's 86* run partnership is the highest for sixth wicket and below in T2O Asia Cup.

The second innings is underway, and Mustafizur started with intent, conceding a huge six to Pathum Nissanka early on. But the pacer quickly bounced back to deliver a crucial breakthrough, dismissing Kusal Mendis.

Bangladesh are showing resilience, and the early wicket has put Sri Lanka on the back foot in their chase of 140 at Abu Dhabi.

12th time Mustafizur got Mendis in T20 Cricket.

SL 13-1 (2)

Sri Lanka’s powerplay is looking fiery so far, with Kamil Mishara attacking the Bangladesh bowlers in full flow. The Lankan batter is determined to accelerate early and give his side the momentum they need in the chase.

SL 55/1 (6)

SL 109-2 (11)

31 needed off 54 balls and Sri Lanka should be already feeling like having two points. Pathum Nissnka, though can not see the chase through. He departs for 50 off 34. Mahedi Hasan gets the wicket, which unfortunately for Bangladesh would not matter much.

Sri Lanka marked their first win of Asia Cup 2025 in commanding fashion. Kamil Mishara remained unbeaten on 46 off 32 balls, while Pathum Nissanka’s quickfire 50 off 34 guided the chase with ease.

The target was chased comfortably, with Sri Lanka winning by six wickets and 32 balls to spare.

A perfect way to kick off their Asia Cup campaign.

Kamil Mishara’s brilliant 46 not out off 32 balls earned him the well-deserved Player of the Match award.

After a thrilling start to the Asia Cup 2025, all eyes now shift to the highly anticipated India vs Pakistan clash tomorrow.

The blockbuster encounter will take place at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday, 14 September.

Tune in for full live coverage as the two arch-rivals face off in what promises to be a high-voltage battle watched by millions around the world.