Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh 1st ODI 2025

Bangladesh Triumph in Colombo Thriller

On July 2, 2025, Bangladesh secured a 4-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the 1st ODI of their 2025 tour at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, chasing 245 with 29 balls to spare. Sri Lanka, batting first after captain Charith Asalanka’s decision, posted 244 all out in 49.2 overs, anchored by Asalanka’s 106. Bangladesh’s disciplined bowling, led by Taskin Ahmed’s 4/47, and a clinical chase, powered by Tanzid Hasan’s 81 and Najmul Hossain Shanto’s 23, sealed the win despite a late wobble. This article details the match, key performances, and implications, drawing from ESPNcricinfo’s report and supporting sources.

Match Recap: Sri Lanka’s 244 and Bangladesh’s Chase

• Sri Lanka Innings (244 all out, 49.2 overs):

  • Overview: Sri Lanka, opting to bat, struggled early, losing three wickets in the first 10 overs to Bangladesh’s pace attack. Asalanka’s 106 off 123 balls (6 fours, 4 sixes) anchored the innings, but lack of support from other batters limited them to 244. Taskin Ahmed’s 4 wickets, including two maidens, and Tanzim Hasan’s 3/49 kept Bangladesh in control.

  • Key Moments:

    • Early Collapse: Bangladesh’s bowlers struck early, with Taskin dismissing Pathum Nissanka (12) and Kusal Mendis (0), and Tanzim removing Nishan Madushka (4), leaving Sri Lanka at 30/3.

    • Asalanka’s Fightback: Asalanka, reaching his fifth ODI century and crossing 1,000 runs at Premadasa (level with Jayasuriya, Kohli, and Tendulkar), forged a 39-run stand with debutant Milan Rathnayake (22) and a 22-run partnership with Wanindu Hasaranga (22). His innings ended in the 49th over to Tanzim.

    • Late Wickets: Taskin’s double strike in the 46th over (Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana) and Tanzim’s dismissal of Asalanka and Eshan Malinga (run out) wrapped up the innings. Tanvir Islam and Shanto took one wicket each.

  • Pitch and Conditions: Asalanka noted a “difference” in the Premadasa surface, favoring seamers early, with dew expected to aid the chase. Despite a rain forecast, the match proceeded under clear skies.

• Bangladesh Innings (245/6, 45.1 overs):

  • Overview: Bangladesh chased 245 confidently, led by Tanzid Hasan’s 81 off 76 balls and a 48-run stand with Shanto (23). A late collapse, including Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s duck to Hasaranga’s googly, raised tensions, but Jaker Ali (0*) and Towhid Hridoy (unbeaten) guided them home with 4 wickets in hand.

  • Key Moments:

    • Strong Start: Tanzid and debutant Parvez Hossain Emon (18) built a solid platform, with Tanzid’s aggressive 81 setting the tone. Shanto’s 23 off 26 balls ended in a run-out due to a sharp throw by Rathnayake.

    • Middle-Order Wobble: Hasaranga’s 3/2, including Mehidy’s lbw dismissal (confirmed by DRS), sparked a mini-collapse, with Bangladesh losing 3 wickets quickly. A review saved Litton Das from a similar fate, showing an outside edge.

    • Finishing Touch: Despite losing 6 wickets, Bangladesh stayed ahead, with Hridoy’s composure ensuring victory in the 46th over. Sri Lanka’s spinners, including Theekshana, created pressure but couldn’t break through.

  • Key Stats: Bangladesh needed 142 runs from 30.5 overs at one stage, maintaining a run rate above 5. Taskin’s 4/47 and Tanzid’s 81 were standout performances, with Sri Lanka’s fielding (notably Rathnayake’s throw) keeping the game tight.

Player Performances and Context

• Charith Asalanka (Sri Lanka): The captain’s 106 was a lone hand, his fourth century at Premadasa, but lack of partnerships (no 100-plus stands) hindered Sri Lanka. His decision to bat first aimed to post a big score, but Bangladesh’s bowlers restricted them.

• Taskin Ahmed (Bangladesh): Returning after a three-month injury layoff, Taskin’s 4 wickets, including key dismissals of Mendis and Hasaranga, earned him Player of the Match honors. His two maidens showcased discipline.

• Tanzid Hasan (Bangladesh): His 81 powered the chase, exploiting dew as predicted by captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz. His aggressive approach countered Sri Lanka’s spinners.

• Debutants: Bangladesh fielded two ODI debutants—left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam (1 wicket) and opener Parvez Hossain Emon (18). Sri Lanka’s Milan Rathnayake (22) impressed on debut with bat and fielding.

• Team Context:

  • Sri Lanka: A settled unit, fresh off home wins against India, West Indies, New Zealand, and Australia, but their batting faltered beyond Asalanka. Maheesh Theekshana’s growing ODI role (economy under pressure) couldn’t prevent the loss.

  • Bangladesh: Under new captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz, in his first full-time ODI leadership role, Bangladesh navigated a transitional phase without veterans like Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim. Their first ODI since September 2005 without the “fab five” ended in victory, boosting their 2027 World Cup qualification hopes despite a poor ODI ranking.

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Community and Industry Reactions

Social Media Sentiment

X posts captured the match’s intensity. @ESPNcricinfo reported Bangladesh’s early bowling strikes and Asalanka’s century, with @ICC praising his “captain’s knock.” @CricCrazyJohns noted Tanzid’s 81 as a game-changer, while @BCBtigers celebrated the 4-wicket win, emphasizing Taskin’s return. Fans debated Sri Lanka’s batting collapse and Bangladesh’s chase resilience.

Industry Insights

Analysts lauded Bangladesh’s fightback. ESPNcricinfo’s Mohammad Isam highlighted Taskin’s disciplined bowling and Asalanka’s lone effort, noting Sri Lanka’s failure to build partnerships. Cricbuzz praised Bangladesh’s chase, crediting Tanzid and Hridoy for overcoming Hasaranga’s late threat. The Daily Star emphasized Mehidy’s leadership in a transitional squad, with Wisden noting Bangladesh’s first ODI series win in Sri Lanka remains elusive.

The Bigger Picture: Series and ODI Landscape

This victory marks Bangladesh’s first win in the three-match ODI series, crucial for their 2027 World Cup qualification push, given their low ODI rankings. Sri Lanka, despite home dominance (four series wins in the past year), face pressure to regroup for the 2nd ODI on July 4, 2025, at Premadasa. The series follows a drawn 1st Test and a 1-0 Sri Lanka win in the 2nd Test, highlighting competitive rivalry. India’s 1.2 billion cricket fans, with a 10% annual growth in digital engagement, amplify the match’s reach via streaming platforms like Disney+ Hotstar. The absence of Bangladesh’s veterans signals a new era, while Sri Lanka’s settled lineup seeks consistency.

Bangladesh’s Statement Win

Bangladesh’s 4-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the 1st ODI on July 2, 2025, showcased their resilience in a transitional phase, with Taskin Ahmed’s bowling and Tanzid Hasan’s batting outshining Charith Asalanka’s valiant century. The chase, despite a late scare from Hasaranga’s spin, highlighted Bangladesh’s depth under Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s leadership. Sri Lanka, despite a settled squad, must address batting inconsistencies to level the series. As India’s cricket fandom grows, this match underscores the global appeal of the Sri Lanka-Bangladesh rivalry, setting the stage for a thrilling series.