Dubai, September 20, 2025: All-rounder Dasun Shanaka’s explosive unbeaten half-century powered Sri Lanka to 168/7 against Bangladesh in the opening Super Four clash of the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
Put into bat, the defending champions made a brisk start as Pathum Nissanka and in-form Kusal Mendis added 44 runs inside five overs. Taskin Ahmed broke the stand with the last ball of the fifth over, removing Nissanka for 22 off 15 (3 fours, 1 six), caught by Saif Hassan at deep midwicket.
The breakthrough triggered a mini-collapse, with Sri Lanka slipping to 97/4 in 13.4 overs. Among the casualties was Kusal Mendis, who struck a quick 34 off 25 balls (3 sixes, 1 four) before falling.
Shanaka, however, seized the momentum with a blistering 57-run fifth-wicket stand off just 27 balls alongside skipper Charith Asalanka (21 off 12, 1 six, 1 four). Their counter-attack revived Sri Lanka’s innings before Asalanka was run out in the 19th over.
Mustafizur Rahman struck twice in the same over, removing Kamindu Mendis (1) and Wanindu Hasaranga (2), but Shanaka remained immovable at the other end. He finished on a scintillating 64* from 37 deliveries, hammering six sixes and three fours to propel his side to a formidable total.
For Bangladesh, Rahman led the bowling effort with figures of 3/20 in four overs. Mahedi Hasan chipped in with 2/25, while Taskin claimed 1/30.
