Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team Matches

Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team Matches

Cricket rivalries in the subcontinent have always been thrilling, and one such contest that has grown over the years is between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. While Sri Lanka has been a dominant force in international cricket for decades, winning multiple ICC trophies, Bangladesh has made significant progress in the past two decades, establishing itself as a competitive team. Their matches have produced some unforgettable moments, from record-breaking innings to last-over thrillers, making this rivalry one of the most exciting in Asian cricket. Though Sri Lanka enjoyed early dominance, Bangladesh has risen as a formidable opponent, making their encounters more balanced and unpredictable.

History of Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh Cricket Rivalry

The rivalry between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh dates back to the late 20th century. When the two teams first met, Sri Lanka was already an established cricketing nation, while Bangladesh was still making its mark on the international stage. Their first clash occurred during the 1990 Asia Cup, where Sri Lanka comfortably defeated Bangladesh, setting the tone for many years of one-sided contests. However, as Bangladesh developed its cricketing structure and gained experience, they started putting up stronger fights against Sri Lanka.

During the 2000s, Sri Lanka continued to dominate their encounters, winning most of their matches with ease. With legendary players like Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, and Muttiah Muralitharan, Sri Lanka remained a powerhouse in all formats. However, things started to change in the 2010s when Bangladesh began producing world-class cricketers such as Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, and Mushfiqur Rahim. The rivalry took an intense turn as Bangladesh started registering their first victories against Sri Lanka in various formats, including a historic Test match win in 2017 and multiple ODI victories.

Head-to-Head Statistics

Although Sri Lanka has historically dominated, Bangladesh has closed the gap in recent years. Below is a breakdown of their performances across all formats.

Test Matches Head-to-Head

Sri Lanka has always been strong in Test cricket, but Bangladesh has managed to challenge them in recent years.

• In the early years, Sri Lanka won by massive margins, often by an innings.
• Bangladesh’s first-ever Test win against Sri Lanka came in 2017 in Colombo, marking a major milestone.
• Several recent matches have ended in hard-fought draws, showing Bangladesh’s improvement in red-ball cricket.

ODI Matches Head-to-Head

Sri Lanka had complete control in the 1990s and 2000s, but Bangladesh has won crucial ODIs since the 2010s.

• Sri Lanka was nearly unbeatable in ODIs against Bangladesh for many years.
• Bangladesh’s breakthrough moment came in the 2012 Asia Cup, when they defeated Sri Lanka for the first time.
• In recent years, Bangladesh has secured series wins at home, proving their strength in ODI cricket.

T20I Matches Head-to-Head

T20 matches have been much more competitive, with Bangladesh securing some stunning victories.

• Bangladesh pulled off a dramatic victory in the 2018 Nidahas Trophy, eliminating Sri Lanka from the tournament.
• Sri Lanka has won most encounters, but Bangladesh has shown they can compete in the shorter format.

Memorable Matches Between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s First Test Win Against Sri Lanka (2017, Colombo)

One of Bangladesh’s biggest cricketing milestones was their first-ever Test victory over Sri Lanka in 2017 in Colombo. It was a hard-fought match where Shakib Al Hasan’s all-round brilliance (116 runs and 4 wickets) helped Bangladesh secure a historic win. Chasing a tricky target of 191, Bangladesh held their nerve and won with 4 wickets in hand, proving they had the capability to defeat a strong Sri Lankan side in their own backyard.

2018 Nidahas Trophy Thriller (Colombo, T20I)

One of the most dramatic T20 encounters between these teams happened in the 2018 Nidahas Trophy. Bangladesh needed 12 runs in the final over, and Mahmudullah played a sensational knock, taking Bangladesh to victory in the final ball. The match is remembered for the “Naagin Dance” celebration, which became famous after Mushfiqur Rahim’s animated reaction following the win.

Bangladesh’s First ODI Win Over Sri Lanka (2012 Asia Cup)

In the 2012 Asia Cup, Bangladesh shocked the cricket world by defeating Sri Lanka for the first time in ODIs. This victory marked Bangladesh’s rise in limited-overs cricket, proving that they could beat the biggest teams on the biggest stages.

Sri Lanka’s Asia Cup Dominance (2014 Final)

Sri Lanka has historically dominated Bangladesh in major tournaments, and the 2014 Asia Cup final was no different. Lasith Malinga was the star, taking 5 wickets to dismantle Bangladesh’s batting lineup, securing a comfortable win for Sri Lanka.

Key Players in Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh Matches

Sri Lanka’s Legendary Players

• Kumar Sangakkara – One of Sri Lanka’s greatest batsmen, consistently performing against Bangladesh.
• Mahela Jayawardene – A classy batsman known for his elegant strokeplay.
• Lasith Malinga – His toe-crushing yorkers have destroyed Bangladesh’s batting many times.
• Muttiah Muralitharan – The legendary off-spinner dominated Bangladesh in Tests.

Bangladesh’s Game-Changers

• Shakib Al Hasan – One of the best all-rounders in cricket history, always performing against Sri Lanka.
• Tamim Iqbal – A top-order batsman known for his explosive starts.
• Mushfiqur Rahim – The backbone of Bangladesh’s batting lineup.
• Mustafizur Rahman – A left-arm pacer with deadly cutters, causing problems for Sri Lanka’s batsmen.

Recent Series Between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh

In 2021, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka played a two-match Test series, which ended in a 1-1 draw, showing how competitive the teams had become. The following year, in 2022, Bangladesh won an ODI series 2-1, marking another major milestone. In the 2023 Asia Cup, Sri Lanka took revenge, defeating Bangladesh comfortably in the Super Four stage, with Matheesha Pathirana taking four wickets.

The Future of Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh Rivalry

With Bangladesh continuing to improve and Sri Lanka rebuilding their squad, their rivalry is expected to become even more competitive. Both teams will face each other in upcoming ICC tournaments, the Asia Cup, and future bilateral series, making their encounters crucial. As Bangladesh aims to become one of the top cricketing nations, Sri Lanka will look to regain their dominance and maintain their historical advantage. With exciting young talents emerging from both teams, cricket fans can expect more intense and high-stakes matches in the coming years.

This rivalry, which started as a one-sided affair, has now become a thrilling battle filled with unpredictable results, emotional moments, and unforgettable performances. The next chapter in this exciting contest is yet to be written, and cricket lovers across the world will be eagerly watching!