Sri Lanka’s bowlers produced a dream start against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup 2025 Group B clash at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi. Nuwan Thushara and Dushmantha Chameera delivered back-to-back maiden overs with wickets, reducing Bangladesh to 0/2 inside two overs, before a big chance went down off Towhid Hridoy.
Thushara struck first in the opening over, bowling Tanzid Hasan with a trademark inswinger after a six-ball struggle. In the very next over, Chameera dismissed Parvez Hossain Emon for a four-ball duck, caught behind by Kusal Mendis. With both openers gone for nought, Bangladesh were left shell-shocked at the start.
However, Sri Lanka missed an opportunity to pile further misery on Bangladesh. In the fifth over, Thushara cleverly bowled a full slower delivery to Towhid Hridoy, who went for a risky lofted shot under pressure. The ball sliced high towards extra cover where captain Charith Asalanka positioned himself, but despite going reverse cup over his head, he couldn’t hold on. The drop allowed Hridoy to survive, much to Bangladesh’s relief.
At the time of writing, Bangladesh stood at 9/2 in 4.2 overs, with Towhid Hridoy (6 off 8) and skipper Litton Das (3 off 8) battling to rebuild. The early momentum, however, remains firmly with Sri Lanka, courtesy of two back-to-back maiden wicket overs that dismantled Bangladesh’s top order.
