Sri Lanka made a strong statement in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. Pathum Nissanka’s 50 and Kamil Mishara’s calm finish helped the Charith Asalanka-led side beat Bangladesh by 6 wickets.
Sri Lanka’s Dominant Start
With this win, Sri Lanka began their Asia Cup campaign in style. They also looked like the only team from the other group capable of challenging India later in the tournament.
Bangladesh’s Top Order Struggles
Bangladesh’s batting was a horror show. Two maiden overs at the start left them reeling at 53/5. Only Jaker Ali (41*) and Shamim Hossain (42*) fought back, adding 86 runs for the sixth wicket and taking the total to 139/5.
Clinical Chase from Sri Lanka
In reply, Sri Lanka batted with authority. Pathum Nissanka (50 off 34) and Kamil Mishara (46*) led a clinical chase, reaching 140/4 in just 14.4 overs.
Player of the Match
Mishara’s unbeaten knock earned him the Player of the Match award. The win came with 32 balls to spare, underlining Sri Lanka’s dominance.
A Team to Watch
Sri Lanka have now cemented their status as the second-best team in the tournament so far. They have pace in the powerplay, spin in the middle overs, and a calm batting approach.
Can Sri Lanka Challenge India?
Most importantly, they seem the only team from the other group that can truly challenge India in the knockouts. For Bangladesh, fixing their top-order issues is crucial to stay in contention.
Sri Lanka’s message is clear: they are here to compete. A commanding win, a confident start, and a growing reputation — they may be the ones to stand up to India.