Sri Lanka secured their spot in the semifinals along with Afghanistan, both finishing with four points from three matches. However, Sri Lanka topped Group ‘A’ due to a better net run rate, while Bangladesh finished third with two points.
Batting first in Al Amerat, Sri Lanka started well but lost momentum in the middle. A key 64-run partnership between Pawan Ratnayake (42) and Sahan Arachchige (30) for the fourth wicket helped them post 161 for 7. Ripon Mondol and Rejaur Rahman Raja took two wickets each for Bangladesh.
Chasing 162, Bangladesh began strongly with Saif Hassan and Parvez Hossain Emon adding 41 runs in just 22 balls. Emon scored 24 off 10 balls, while Saif contributed 29 off 20 before retiring hurt. At 59-0 after six overs, Bangladesh was in control.
However, after Saif’s exit, the team collapsed, losing wickets regularly. Abu Hider Rony remained unbeaten on 38, but without support, Bangladesh finished at 142-7. Towhid Hridoy was the only other player to reach double figures with 12 runs.
Bangladesh Kicks Off Emerging Asia Cup with Dominant Victory Against Hong Kong
Abu Hider kept Bangladesh’s hopes alive with three sixes in the final two overs, but a controversial call in the 18th over ruled one of his sixes a dead ball. Despite protests, the decision stood. In the final over, Bangladesh needed 24 runs but managed only 3, sealing Sri Lanka’s victory.
