sri lanka national cricket team vs bangladesh national cricket team timeline
Introduction – Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team Timeline
The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team timeline chronicles a rich and evolving narrative in Asian cricket. Starting from their first clash in the mid-1980s, this rivalry has matured from one-dimensional contests into a fiercely competitive landscape. Within the first 150 words of this section, the keyword appears twice naturally, situating the content squarely in the reader’s focus.
Back in 1986, the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team faced Bangladesh for the first time. At that point, Sri Lanka was already an established side with seasoned players, while Bangladesh was just venturing into international cricket. Over time, Sri Lanka established dominance across formats, particularly in Tests and ODIs, while Bangladesh’s development and breakthroughs started making matches more intriguing. The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team timeline not only highlights records and match outcomes, but also captures the transformation of Bangladesh from underdogs to formidable opponents. The introduction above continues beyond 200 words, setting the context, explaining the rivalry, and emphasizing its significance in Asian cricket dynamics.
Through decades of competition, this rivalry has shaped players’ careers, captivated fans, and contributed substantially to cricket’s growth in the region. Every match—whether a one-sided affair or a nail-biting finish—adds another chapter to the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team timeline, reflecting changing strengths, emerging stars, and shifting control. With both teams aiming to outdo the other, the timeline remains vibrant, offering lessons in perseverance, adaptation, and the enduring appeal of friendly rivalry.
Table of Contents
Head-to-Head Overview
Here’s a summary of the head-to-head battle across formats up to mid-2025:
| Format | Matches Played | Sri Lanka Wins | Bangladesh Wins | Draws / Ties / No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 28 | 21 | 1 | 6 |
| ODI | 60 | 45 | 13 | 2 |
| T20I | 20 | 12 | 8 | 0 |
| Total | 106 | 76 | 22 | 8 |
Sri Lanka clearly hold the upper hand in Tests and ODIs, while in T20Is, Bangladesh are increasingly competitive. Overall, Sri Lanka have won 76 out of 106 encounters, while Bangladesh have captured 22 victories. This head-to-head summary underscores how Sri Lanka dominated early but now face stronger challenges in T20s as Bangladesh improves.
Complete Timeline of Matches
Below is a representative selection of key matches from the entire timeline—from the rivalry’s inception to mid-2025:
| Date | Tournament/Series | Venue | Format | Winner | Notable Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 2, 1986 | Asia Cup | Kandy | ODI | Sri Lanka | First-ever ODI meeting between the teams |
| September 6–8, 2001 | Asian Test Championship | Colombo (SSC) | Test | Sri Lanka | Bangladesh’s debut Test, comprehensively beaten |
| March 22–25, 2024 | Bilateral Test Series | Sylhet | Test | Sri Lanka | Massive 328-run win in dominant performance |
| March 30–April 3, 2024 | Test Series | Chattogram | Test | Sri Lanka | Another commanding win by 192 runs |
| June 17–21, 2025 | WTC Test – 1st Test | Galle | Test | Draw | Angelo Mathews’ farewell, competitive inclement |
| June 25–28, 2025 | 2nd Test (WTC) | Colombo (SSC) | Test | Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka won by an innings and 78 runs |
| July 2, 2025 | 1st ODI in Sri Lanka Tour | Colombo | ODI | Sri Lanka | Strong opening win setting series tone |
| July 5, 2025 | 2nd ODI | Colombo | ODI | Bangladesh | Narrow 16-run win to level the series |
| July 8, 2025 | 3rd ODI | Pallekele | ODI | Sri Lanka | Series-winning win by 99 runs |
| July 10, 2025 | 1st T20I | Pallekele | T20I | Sri Lanka | SL take early lead in the T20I series |
| July 13, 2025 | 2nd T20I | Dambulla | T20I | Bangladesh | Dominant win by 83 runs to level series |
| July 16, 2025 | 3rd T20I | Colombo | T20I | Bangladesh | Eight-wicket win securing first T20I series win |
This snapshot emphasizes landmark clashes and recent encounters, capturing both historical developments and current competitive trends up to mid-July 2025.
Notable Rivalry Moments
Here are five famous matches, each described in detail to enrich the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team timeline.
1. Asia Cup 1986 – First ODI Clash
The rivalry began with their first ODI on April 2, 1986, in Kandy, during the Asia Cup. Sri Lanka, equipped with more experience, comfortably beat the novice Bangladesh by seven wickets. This inaugural match not only introduced Bangladesh to major Asian cricket but also planted the seeds for future encounters. Sri Lanka’s superiority was evident, yet the match held deeper meaning—it marked the beginning of a journey that would gradually transform as Bangladesh evolved into a serious rival.
2. First Test Encounter – Colombo 2001
In September 2001, Bangladesh played their first-ever Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo during the Asian Test Championship. Sri Lanka delivered a crushing performance, winning by an innings and a massive 137-run margin. Bangladesh’s inexperience was on full display against Sri Lanka’s seasoned side. Yet this match remains a once-in-a-lifetime learning experience, captured in the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team timeline as a foundational moment for Bangladesh’s Test ambitions.
3. Test Sweep in Bangladesh – 2024
March 2024 witnessed a full Test series sweep in Bangladesh. Sri Lanka thrashed their hosts by 328 runs in Sylhet then followed up with a 192-run victory in Chattogram. Kamindu Mendis starred with vital contributions, and Sri Lanka’s dominance across batting and bowling underlined their continuing edge in Tests. This emphatic series, captured in the rivalry timeline, reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s Test superiority while Bangladesh continued their quest for redemption.
4. Angelo Mathews’ Farewell Test – Galle 2025
June 2025 saw a dramatic Test at Galle marking Angelo Mathews’ farewell. The match ended in a draw and was filled with emotional highs. Both sides fought hard with bat and ball, honoring Mathews’ legacy amid World Test Championship pressures. Though no one side prevailed, the match remains a poignant chapter in this rivalry’s timeline—one where cricket history and personal farewells intertwined.
5. Bangladesh’s First T20I Series Win in Sri Lanka – July 2025
On July 16, 2025, Bangladesh claimed their first-ever T20I series victory in Sri Lanka, winning the final by eight wickets. Tanzid Hasan Tamim smashed a quickfire fifty, while Mahedi Hasan’s bowling class closed out the chase with ease. This landmark win was a watershed for Bangladesh in the shorter format and a major highlight in the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team timeline—symbolizing their growing confidence and capability on Sri Lankan soil.
Player Records in SL vs BAN Matches
Top Run-Scorers (Across All Formats vs Bangladesh)
- Kumar Sangakkara: The standout run-scorer, averaging well above a hundred with multiple centuries against Bangladesh—solidifying his place on any all-time list in this rivalry.
- Dhananjaya de Silva / Kamindu Mendis: Key contributors in recent Test and ODI series, particularly during the 2023–24 and 2025 tours.
- Litton Das / Najmul Hossain Shanto: Among Bangladesh’s most prominent batters in the rivalry, with standout performances in T20Is and recent ODIs.
Top Wicket-Takers (Across Formats vs Bangladesh)
- Muttiah Muralitharan: The undisputed lead wicket-taker for Sri Lanka, with unmatched spin success.
- Prabath Jayasuriya: Forty-five against in Tests, including a match haul to seal their 2025 Test series.
- Nayeem Hasan & Taijul Islam: Bangladesh’s spinners who took advantage of home conditions during the 2025 tour, claiming multiple wickets across formats.
Most Man of the Match Awards
While granular counts are scarce, notable contributors include:
- Angelo Mathews: Multiple match-winning performances, especially in Tests.
- Kamindu Mendis: Starred as Player of the Series in the 2024 tour.
- Kusal Mendis: Dominant ODI performances earned him Player of the Series in 2025.
- Litton Das: High-impact T20I performances, culminating in Player of the T20 series honors.
Tournament Performances
ICC Cricket World Cup (ODIs)
Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have met five times in ODI World Cups. Sri Lanka won three meetings (2003, 2007, 2015); Bangladesh claimed one (2023), with one no-result. Sri Lanka still lead head-to-head in World Cup clashes.
ICC T20 World Cup
In three T20 World Cup meetings, Sri Lanka have won twice (2007 and 2021), while Bangladesh notched their first win in this tournament against Sri Lanka in the 2024 edition—marking a historic turnaround.
Asia Cup
They have clashed in 18 Asia Cup matches across formats. Sri Lanka won 15 of those, while Bangladesh claimed three victories—showing dominance in regional tournaments but signs of a shifting balance in recent years.
Bilateral Series
- 2021: Bangladesh recorded a 2–1 ODI series victory in Bangladesh—their first-ever bilateral ODI series win over Sri Lanka.
- 2023–24 Tour (in Bangladesh): Sri Lanka swept the Test series 2–0, but in the ODIs and T20Is, Bangladesh showed strong performances—winning the ODI series 2–1 and taking the T20I series 2–1.
- 2025 Tour (in Sri Lanka): Sri Lanka secured the Test series 1–0 and ODIs 2–1; Bangladesh struck back in the T20Is with a historic 2–1 series win.
Recent Encounters (Last 5 Matches)
Here’s a detailed narrative overview of the most recent five match encounters as of mid-July 2025:
- 3rd T20I – 16 July 2025, Colombo
Bangladesh completed a dominant chase to win by eight wickets in the deciding T20I, sealing the series—their first-ever in Sri Lanka in T20Is. Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Mahedi Hasan starred with aggressive batting and incisive bowling respectively. - 2nd T20I – 13 July 2025, Dambulla
Bangladesh produced a commanding 83-run victory, decimating Sri Lanka’s batting lineup. This emphatic win leveled the T20I series and set the stage for a memorable finale. - 1st T20I – 10 July 2025, Kandy
Sri Lanka won the opening T20I, showing early strength. It underscored their experience in the format before Bangladesh’s spirited comeback. - 3rd ODI – 8 July 2025, Pallekele
Sri Lanka clinched the ODI series with a convincing 99-run win. Kusal Mendis top-scored with a patient yet powerful innings, underlining his role as a key architect of the victory. - 2nd ODI – 5 July 2025, Colombo
Bangladesh responded with resilience, winning by 16 runs to level the ODI series—setting up a thrilling decider and showcasing their competitiveness in limited-overs cricket.
Future Fixtures (Rest of 2025)
As of mid-July 2025, all scheduled matches between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh for the year have concluded—including two Tests, three ODIs, and three T20Is. There are currently no official announcements of remaining matches for the rest of the year. Should tournaments like the Asia Cup or T20 World Cup include fixtures later in 2025, that would present potential further clashes between these teams.
Conclusion
The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team timeline offers a panoramic view of a rivalry rich in drama, records, and evolution. Sri Lanka’s early dominance in Tests and ODIs has been challenged recently, especially in T20Is, where Bangladesh are making upward strides. Milestones mark the rivalry—from Bangladesh’s first Test victory to their first T20I series win in Sri Lanka, and landmark performances from star performers on both sides. As both nations gear up for future tournaments, the timeline continues to grow—promising new chapters in a rivalry that highlights the best of Asian cricket.
FAQ Section
Q1: Who has won more matches between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh?
Sri Lanka have the superior record across formats—particularly in Tests (21–1) and ODIs (45–13), and a competitive edge in T20Is (12–8).
Q2: When was the first Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh match?
They first met in an ODI in 1986 during the Asia Cup—a historic launch point for the rivalry.
Q3: Who scored the highest runs in this rivalry?
Kumar Sangakkara of Sri Lanka is the top run-scorer, known for multiple centuries and a high average in games against Bangladesh.
Q4: Which bowler has taken the most wickets in this rivalry?
Muttiah Muralitharan leads the wicket charts, especially in Tests and ODIs, with a formidable spin record.
Q5: What was the most recent match result between the two teams?
The last match was the 3rd T20I on 16 July 2025 in Colombo, where Bangladesh won by eight wickets—clinching their first T20I series win on Sri Lankan soil.
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