Sri Lanka deny Bangladesh Asian Games bronze

Bangladesh's Asian Games men's cricket campaign ended in disappointment as Sri Lanka secured the bronze medal with a 63-run victory at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan, on Saturday.

Chasing 166 for victory, Bangladesh were bowled out for 102 in 17.3 overs after Sri Lanka recovered from a precarious position to post 165 for nine in their allotted 20 overs.

Sri Lanka's innings appeared to be in trouble when Bangladesh reduced them to 21 for four in the early overs. However, Tharindu Ratnayake's aggressive half-century transformed the contest and gave Sri Lanka a total their bowlers could defend.

Ratnayake struck 65 off just 32 balls, hitting seven fours and five sixes. Captain Sahan Arachchige contributed 33, while Ashen Bandara added 18 as Sri Lanka rebuilt after their early setbacks.

Bangladesh's bowlers had initially put their opponents under considerable pressure, with Mahedi Hasan, Saif Hassan and Mustafizur Rahman taking two wickets apiece. But Ratnayake's counter-attacking innings, supported by Arachchige, allowed Sri Lanka to recover and finish with a competitive total.

Bangladesh's reply quickly fell apart. Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan and captain Litton Das all departed without scoring, leaving the side struggling at four for three early in the chase.

Parvez Hossain Emon made 20 and Yasir Ali scored 21, but neither could build an innings substantial enough to revive Bangladesh's hopes. Nasum Ahmed top-scored with 26 off 28 balls, although his effort came too late to alter the outcome.

Ratnayake also contributed with the ball, taking two wickets for 18 runs. Nuwan Thushara, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth and Wanuja Sahan claimed two wickets each as Sri Lanka maintained control of the chase.

The defeat left Bangladesh without a cricket medal at the Asian Games for the first time since the sport was introduced to the multi-sport event. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, finished third in the men's competition after combining a determined recovery with an effective bowling performance.