Bangladesh finished their Asian Games men’s cricket campaign empty-handed after a frustrating 63-run defeat to Sri Lanka in the bronze medal match.
Things started brightly for the Tigers, as spinners Mahedi Hasan and Aliss Al Islam tore through Sri Lanka’s top order also reducing them to a shaky 21 for 4 inside four overs. However the momentum completely shifted once Tharindu Ratnayake walked in at number seven.
Ratnayake went on a rampage, smashing a 32-ball 65 that included five sixes. He punished Bangladesh's bowling, taking 25 runs off a single Mustafizur Rahman over and launching a late assault on Rishad Hossain. Alongside skipper Sahan Arachchige, Ratnayake built a rapid 93-run partnership to propel Sri Lanka to a competitive 165 for 9.
Bangladesh's chase got off to a nightmare start and never recovered. Pacer Nuwan Thushara removed Saif Hassan and Litton Das early on while Ratnayake showed his all-round class by picking up two quick wickets with his spin. Top-scorer Towhid Hridoy fell cheap with leaving Bangladesh in deep trouble.
Sri Lanka’s spinners then wrapped up the tail with ease. Despite a late 26 from Nasum Ahmed, Bangladesh collapsed to 102 all out in 17.3 overs, handing Sri Lanka a comfortable win and the bronze medal.
Full Scorecard: Sri Lanka 165 for 9 (Ratnayake 65, Arachchige 33, Mahedi 2-19, Saif 2-28, Mustafizur 2-43) beat Bangladesh 102 (Nasum 26, Sahan 2-17, Thushara 2-18, Ratnayake 2-18, Vijayskanth 2-26) by 63 runs.
