Dubai: The Super-4 stage of the Asia Cup got off to a pulsating start as Bangladesh edged past Sri Lanka by four wickets in a last-over finish on Saturday. Chasing 169, Bangladesh got home off the penultimate ball of the innings, with Nasum Ahmed and Shamim Hossain scampering a quick single to seal victory. They needed just five runs in the final over but nearly made a meal of it, losing two wickets before finally crossing the line. Bangladesh’s win threw the Super 4 race wide open, with only two teams set to qualify for the final, meaning net run rate could yet prove decisive. The chase was laid out by opener Saif Hassan and anchored by Towhid Hridoy, with vital contribution from Litton Das. Nuwan Tushara’s early strike removed Tanzid Tamim in the first over, but Saif and Litton counterattacked brilliantly, powering Bangladesh to 59 in the Powerplay. Hassan top-scored with a fluent 61 off 45 balls, smashing four sixes and two fours, while Hridoy made a sparkling 58 from 37 deliveries. His dismissal just short of the finish line set up a nervy ending. Earlier, Sri Lanka posted 168/7, thanks to a blistering knock from Dasun Shanaka. Promoted up the order, the former Sri Lankan skipper thrilled the crowd with an unbeaten 64 off just 37 balls, studded with six towering sixes and three boundaries. Bangladesh’s bowlers were otherwise impressive, with Mustafizur Rahman returning superb figures of 3/20. Sri Lanka’s batters cleared the ropes 11 times—the second-highest number of sixes in a T20I Asia Cup innings, behind India’s 12 against Hong Kong in 2022. Brief Scores: Sri Lanka 168/7 (Dasun Shanaka 64*, Kusal Mendis 34; Mustafizur Rahman 3/20, Mahedi Hasan 2/25) lost to Bangladesh 169/6 in 19.5 overs (Saif Hassan 61, Towhid Hridoy 58) by 4 wickets.
