Sri Lanka produced a remarkable turnaround to beat Bangladesh by 63 runs and claim the bronze medal in the men’s cricket competition at the Asian Games 2026 on Saturday. After losing four wickets for just 21 runs, Sri Lanka recovered to post 165/9 before bowling Bangladesh out for 102 in 17.3 overs at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin.
The result gives Sri Lanka a podium finish after their heavy semifinal defeat to India. Bangladesh, meanwhile, missed out on a medal after Pakistan had beaten them by six wickets in the other semifinal.
FROM 45 ALL OUT TO ASIAN GAMES BRONZE! 🇱🇰🥉
Just days after being bowled out for 45 against India, Sri Lanka refused to let that collapse define their campaign.
A stunning turnaround in the Bronze Medal match:
🔥 165/9 after being 63/5
💥 Tharindu Ratnayake — 65
🎯 Bangladesh… pic.twitter.com/R5XU427IM9— Anil Bansal (@dilseanilbansal) October 3, 2026
Tharindu Ratnayake Leads Sri Lanka’s Recovery
Sri Lanka appeared to be in serious trouble after being reduced to 21/4 inside four overs. However, Tharindu Ratnayake and Sahan Arachchige completely changed the course of the innings with a 93-run partnership.
Ratnayake was the aggressor, smashing 65 off just 32 balls, while captain Arachchige provided stability with 33 off 37 deliveries. Their partnership took Sri Lanka from deep trouble to a competitive total on a difficult batting surface.
PLAY-OFF | ASIAN GAMES 2026
Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka
1st Innings – Highlights pic.twitter.com/ZhdRNrmQwe— Rehan 56 (@imrehan056) October 3, 2026
Ratnayake’s innings proved particularly valuable given how difficult it was to score freely on the surface. Sri Lanka eventually finished on 165/9 from their 20 overs, leaving Bangladesh with a challenging target in the race for the bronze medal.
Bangladesh Collapse After Early Wickets
Bangladesh’s chase never got going. Sri Lanka’s new-ball attack immediately put pressure on the Bangladesh top order, with Nuwan Thushara and Ratnayake sharing four wickets as Bangladesh slipped to 18/4 inside the first four overs.
The top three Bangladesh batters were all dismissed for ducks, leaving their chase in serious trouble from the outset.
There was some resistance later in the innings, with Nasum Ahmed scoring 26 off 28 balls, including two fours and a six. But Bangladesh could not produce the kind of recovery Sri Lanka had managed earlier in the day.
FIXIBG MOCKERY OF UMPIRING IN ASIAN GAMES.🤯
– An unbelievable decision in the Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka bronze medal match has raised eyebrows. pic.twitter.com/jzE7GtWIxK
— Abdullah (@Abdullahhhh_56) October 3, 2026
Thushara finished with 2/18, while Wanuja Sahan also took two wickets for 17 runs. Sahan Arachchige then completed the victory in the 18th over, having Nasum caught by Ashen Bandara at long-on for the final wicket.
Bangladesh were bowled out for 102 in 17.3 overs, handing Sri Lanka a 63-run victory and the bronze medal.
The bronze adds another medal to Sri Lanka’s cricket campaign at the Asian Games 2026. Their women’s team had already won silver after finishing behind India, while the men’s side secured third place with Saturday’s victory.
Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh Asian Games 2026 Cricket Scorecard:
Sri Lanka 165/9 (20 overs)
Batting
| Batter | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tharindu Ratnayake | 65 | 32 | 7 | 5 | 203.12 |
| Sahan Arachchige (c) | 33 | 37 | 3 | 0 | 89.19 |
| Ashen Bandara | 18 | 24 | 3 | 0 | 75.00 |
| Vijayakanth Viyaskanth | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 300.00 |
| Sohan de Livera (wk) | 6 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 150.00 |
| Wanuja Sahan | 5* | 3 | 1 | 0 | 166.67 |
| Sineth Jayawardena | 3 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 33.33 |
| Lasith Croospulle | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 40.00 |
| Dushan Hemantha | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 66.67 |
| Nuwan Thushara | 2* | 1 | 0 | 0 | 200.00 |
| Nuwanidu Fernando | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Extras | 22 | ||||
| Total | 165/9 | 20 overs | RR: 8.25 |
Bowling – Bangladesh
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | Econ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mahedi Hasan | 4 | 0 | 19 | 2 | 4.75 |
| Aliss Al Islam | 4 | 0 | 18 | 1 | 4.50 |
| Nasum Ahmed | 2 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 4.00 |
| Rishad Hossain | 4 | 0 | 46 | 1 | 11.50 |
| Saif Hassan | 3 | 0 | 28 | 2 | 9.33 |
| Mustafizur Rahman | 3 | 0 | 43 | 2 | 14.33 |
Bangladesh 102 all out (17.3 overs)
Batting
| Batter | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nasum Ahmed | 26 | 28 | 2 | 1 | 92.86 |
| Yasir Ali | 21 | 16 | 2 | 1 | 131.25 |
| Parvez Hossain Emon | 20 | 26 | 3 | 0 | 76.92 |
| Towhid Hridoy | 11 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 183.33 |
| Rishad Hossain | 10 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 200.00 |
| Aliss Al Islam | 4 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Mustafizur Rahman | 3* | 6 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Mahedi Hasan | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Saif Hassan | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Tanzid Hasan Tamim | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Litton Das (c & wk) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Extras | 7 | ||||
| Total | 102 all out | 17.3 overs | RR: 5.83 |
Bowling – Sri Lanka
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | Econ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nuwan Thushara | 4 | 1 | 18 | 2 | 4.50 |
| Tharindu Ratnayake | 3 | 0 | 18 | 2 | 6.00 |
| Vijayakanth Viyaskanth | 3 | 0 | 26 | 2 | 8.67 |
| Sahan Arachchige (c) | 1.3 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 6.00 |
| Wanuja Sahan | 4 | 0 | 17 | 2 | 4.25 |
| Dushan Hemantha | 2 | 0 | 11 | 1 | 5.50 |
