Tharindu Ratnayake Leads Sri Lanka’s Bronze Medal Victory Over Bangladesh at Asian Games 2026

Sri Lanka claimed the bronze medal in the men’s cricket event at the Asian Games in Japan 2026 after a 63-run victory over Bangladesh in the third-place playoff at Korogi Sports Park. Choosing to bat first, Sri Lanka set 165 for 9 in their full 20 overs, before Bangladesh were bowled out for 102 in 17.3 overs.

Tharindu Ratnayake gives Sri Lanka a platform

Sri Lanka lost early wickets at a costly rate, but Tharindu Ratnayake took control with a quick, effective innings that steadied the chase. He scored 65 from 32 balls, striking seven boundaries and five sixes.

Sahan Arachchige offered stability with 33 from 37, while Ashen Bandara added 18 from 24. Much of the top order, however, remained well below par, with Lasith Croospulle managing only two, Sineth Jayawardena three and Nuwanidu Fernando one.

Ratnayake’s late acceleration made the difference, helping Sri Lanka close on 165 for 9. Vijayakanth Viyaskanth contributed a rapid six from two balls, and Wanuja Sahan added five runs.

Mahedi Hasan keeps Bangladesh competitive

Bangladesh’s new ball bowlers kept Sri Lanka under pressure for long stretches of the innings. Mahedi Hasan was the most effective, finishing with 2 for 19 from four overs. Saif Hassan also took two wickets for 28 runs, while Mustafizur Rahman picked up 2 for 43 from his four overs.

Aliss Al Islam and Rishad Hossain claimed one wicket each, and Nasum Ahmed was economical with 0 for 8 from two overs. Nevertheless, Bangladesh could not hold their nerve during the final overs, allowing Sri Lanka to build a defendable total.

Sri Lanka bowlers make the chase collapse in the end

Bangladesh began the chase badly as the top order failed to resist. Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Litton Das all fell without scoring, leaving the side exposed on the new surface.

Parvez Hossain Emon tried to steady the innings with 20 from 26 balls, and Towhid Hridoy struck 11 off six deliveries. Yasir Ali Chowdhury also accelerated with 21 from 16, including two fours and a six, but the middle order continued to lose wickets at a difficult rate.

Nasum Ahmed produced the most useful knock of the chase, scoring 26 from 28 balls, with two fours and a six. Rishad Hossain also added a quick 10 from five balls, but the lower order could not find enough boundaries to keep the pressure on.

Nuwan Thushara, Tharindu Ratnayake and Viyaskanth took two wickets apiece for Sri Lanka. Wanuja Sahan bowled four overs for 17 runs with two wickets, while Sahan Arachchige and Dushan Hemantha took one wicket each.

Bangladesh were eventually bowled out for 102 in 17.3 overs, leaving Sri Lanka with a 63-run win and the bronze medal at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.

A comprehensive victory for Sri Lanka, who seal the bronze medal at the Asian Games 2026 #SriLankaCricket #AsianGames pic.twitter.com/yqoJydWb30

— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) October 3, 2026

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