
In a nail-biting encounter, Bangladesh secured a thrilling 4-wicket victory against Sri Lanka to start their Super Four campaign. Chasing a challenging target of 169, the Tigers reached the winning mark with just one ball to spare, thanks to a dramatic final over.
The chase started shakily for Bangladesh, with opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim falling for a duck with only one run on the board.
However, Saif Hassan and Litton Das stabilized the innings, building a 50-run partnership. Litton was dismissed for 23, but Saif continued his assault, bringing up his maiden T20 half-century.
He was well-supported by Towhid Hridoy, who was in explosive form. The duo put on a crucial 45-run partnership in just 27 balls before Saif's departure for a well-made 61 off 45 balls.
Hridoy then took charge, adding another 45 runs with Shamim Hossain to keep Bangladesh on track. Hridoy's brilliant innings of 58 off 37 balls, including two sixes and four fours, ended in the 19th over, leaving Bangladesh needing 10 runs from the final 7 balls.
The final over, bowled by Dasun Shanaka, was a roller coaster. With 5 runs needed off 6 balls, Zakir Ali hit a four off the first delivery to bring the equation down to 1 run.
However, he was clean bowled on the next ball. The drama escalated as the third and fourth balls resulted in no runs and the dismissal of Mehidy Hasan, respectively.
With 1 run still needed and two balls remaining, new batsman Nasum Ahmed calmly pushed the fifth ball to short third man, securing the winning run for Bangladesh.
Earlier, after losing the toss, Bangladesh's bowlers were put on the back foot by a fiery start from Sri Lankan openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis, who put on 53 runs in the power play. However, the Tigers' bowlers, especially the spinners, mounted a strong comeback in the middle overs.

Mustafizur Rahman was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with excellent figures of 3 for 20. Spinners Sheikh Mahedi and Taskin Ahmed also chipped in with crucial wickets.
Despite a late blitz from Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka, who scored an unbeaten 64 off 37 balls, Sri Lanka was restricted to 168 for 7. Shanaka’s innings, the second-highest of his T20 international career, gave the Lankans a competitive total.
With this hard-fought victory, Bangladesh has taken a significant step toward the final. Their next Super Four match is against India on September 24.
Brief Scores
Sri Lanka: 168/7 in 20 overs (Shanaka 64*, Kusal Mendis 34, Nissanka 22; Mustafizur 3/20, Mahedi 2/25)
Bangladesh: 169/6 in 19.5 overs (Saif 61, Hridoy 58, Litton 23; Shanaka 2/21, Hasaranga 2/22)
Result: Bangladesh won by 4 wickets.
Man of the Match: Saif Hassan.




