Bangladesh Crush Sri Lanka in 1st ODI of 2025 Series : Asalanka’s Heroics Power Sri Lanka to Commanding Win
Colombo, July 2, 2025 — In a thrilling start to the three-match ODI series, Sri Lanka showcased their prowess at home with a dominant 77-run victory over Bangladesh at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Despite a few hiccups through the innings, the hosts proved too strong for an injury-hit Bangladesh side, drawing first blood and taking a 1-0 lead in the series.
A Game of Momentum and Missed Opportunities in Bangladesh Crush Sri Lanka in 1st ODI
The encounter began with high expectations, especially as both teams are eyeing squad solidification ahead of future ICC events. Sri Lanka, winning the toss and opting to bat first, posted a respectable total on the board thanks to a resilient and composed century from Charith Asalanka.
Bangladesh, meanwhile, started strong with the ball and had the hosts under pressure early on. However, the inability to capture wickets in the middle overs allowed Sri Lanka to claw back and build a competitive total — one that ultimately proved too steep for the visiting side.
First Innings: Charith Asalanka Anchors the Lankan Ship
Sri Lanka’s innings revolved around one man: Charith Asalanka. Walking in during a pressure situation, Asalanka displayed composure, skill, and a mature understanding of the game. Scoring a brilliant 106, he steadied the innings after the early loss of wickets and anchored Sri Lanka’s climb to 274 runs.
Asalanka later admitted,
“When I came out to bat, it was a difficult time for us. I just wanted to stick to the basics and play according to the situation.”
The left-hander batted fluently, mixing caution with aggression. He was quick to capitalize on loose deliveries and built partnerships that were essential in pushing the total past the 250-mark.
However, Sri Lanka’s momentum fizzled in the final overs. With Bangladesh struggling due to injuries, the hosts had a golden chance to accelerate but faltered at the death. Asalanka expressed his disappointment at the collapse, noting:
“We couldn’t cash in when Bangladesh had bowlers down with cramps. We lacked firepower in the end.”
Despite the lackluster finish, the innings had done enough damage — largely because of Asalanka’s masterclass.
Bangladesh’s Bowling: Hot Start, Cold Finish(Bangladesh Crush Sri Lanka in 1st ODI)
Credit where it’s due — Bangladesh’s fast bowlers bowled with intensity and control early in the innings. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, the Bangladesh captain, praised his bowling unit, especially the pacers, who made early breakthroughs and kept things tight.
“Our pacers bowled really well and took wickets early, but we couldn’t sustain the pressure in the middle overs,” said Mehidy post-match.
The real turning point for Bangladesh was the failure to break through during the middle phase of Sri Lanka’s innings. Without wickets during that period, Asalanka settled in, and Sri Lanka took charge in Bangladesh Crush Sri Lanka in 1st ODI.
To make matters worse, several key bowlers were visibly hampered by cramps — a major factor that Mehidy highlighted as a setback.
“A couple of main bowlers went down due to cramps, and that affected our momentum. But these things happen in ODI cricket,” he said.
Second Innings: Bangladesh Batters Falter Under Pressure in Bangladesh Crush Sri Lanka in 1st ODI
Chasing 275 on a pitch that offered assistance to both batters and bowlers was never going to be easy. Bangladesh, however, began their reply with promise.
Tanzid Hasan looked in fine touch at the top and gave the chase a sense of direction. In fact, for the first 20 overs, Bangladesh looked well in control. Their scoring rate matched the required rate, and a potential upset seemed on the cards.
However, a critical turning point came in the form of a run-out — Najmul Hossain Shanto’s unfortunate dismissal derailed the chase. Mehidy identified it as a game-changer:
“That run-out hurt us. We were going well, but such moments change games.”
Once that partnership was broken, the middle order failed to step up. Wickets fell in quick succession, and the chase spiraled into a collapse. Sri Lanka’s bowlers tightened the screws, while their fielders — who were exceptional throughout — never let the pressure drop.
Charith Asalanka himself praised the fielding effort, calling it “simply amazing” and noting that Sri Lanka’s ODI side is the best fielding unit the country has.
Fielding Brilliance: Sri Lanka Sets the Benchmark in Bangladesh Crush Sri Lanka in 1st ODI
One of the most heartening aspects of the game for Sri Lankan fans was the electric fielding display. Sharp stops, diving saves, and precise throws defined their time in the field. It made a significant difference in defending the target and never allowed Bangladesh to settle.
“Our fielding was outstanding. I’d say our ODI unit is our best fielding side right now,” said a proud Asalanka.
This new energy in the field was evident in every over, and it complemented the disciplined bowling attack led by Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana.
Captain’s Take: Contrasting Reflections
Charith Asalanka, beaming after being named Player of the Match, lauded his team but remained grounded.
“I have nothing much to say about my own habit of rescuing the team. It’s just about playing the role the team needs.”
His humility and commitment to playing according to the situation earned him deserved praise, not just from his captaincy group but cricket pundits worldwide.
Meanwhile, Mehidy Hasan Miraz had a more reflective tone in defeat. He acknowledged the efforts of his team but admitted there were areas for improvement:
“We need to be better in the middle overs — both with bat and ball. We started well in both innings but couldn’t sustain it.”
He also indicated that conditioning and recovery will be key ahead of the second ODI:
“Cramps and fitness are something we will look into before the next game.”
What’s Next: All Eyes on the 2nd ODI
With Sri Lanka taking a 1-0 lead in Bangladesh Crush Sri Lanka in 1st ODI , the focus now shifts to the second ODI, scheduled for Saturday, July 5, again at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The match will start at 9:00 am GMT, with live coverage and pre-match analysis expected to begin well before.
Bangladesh will need to regroup quickly. While they showed promise, especially in the early exchanges of both innings, they lacked consistency and composure. The middle-order collapse and lapses in the field proved costly.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will aim to build on this strong start. Their middle-overs game and fielding were top-notch, though they too will look to address the issues of finishing strongly with the bat.
Around the Cricketing World: A Packed Weekend
For cricket fans, the weekend promises more than just this contest. In addition to the Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh series, the cricketing world is buzzing with parallel high-octane fixtures:
- England vs India: A crucial Test clash as part of the ongoing WTC cycle.
- West Indies vs Australia: Limited-overs drama unfolding in the Caribbean.
- Zimbabwe vs South Africa: A developing rivalry that continues to entertain.
Final Thoughts on Bangladesh Crush Sri Lanka in 1st ODI
The opening ODI has set the tone for what promises to be an exciting series between two emerging teams. Sri Lanka, bolstered by the brilliance of Charith Asalanka and an electric fielding unit, have struck first. Bangladesh, though wounded, showed enough sparks to hint at a potential comeback.
For now, the Lankan Lions roar in Colombo — but the Tigers will be hungry for redemption.
Score Summary: of Bangladesh Crush Sri Lanka in 1st ODI
| Match | 1st ODI – Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh |
|---|---|
| Venue | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo |
| Date | July 2, 2025 |
| Toss | Sri Lanka, chose to bat |
| Sri Lanka | 274 all out (Asalanka 106) |
| Bangladesh | 197 all out |
| Result | Sri Lanka won by 77 runs |
| Player of Match | Charith Asalanka (106 runs) |
this is all about Bangladesh Crush Sri Lanka in 1st ODI for more sports News