Cricket is more than just a sport in South Asia—it’s a way of life, a source of pride, and a stage for epic battles. When the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team Match Scorecard, you’re guaranteed a spectacle filled with skill, drama, and heart. Known as the “Naagin Derby” for its fiery exchanges and memorable moments, this rivalry has grown into one of the most exciting in world cricket. In this article, we’ll dive into the history of this rivalry, explore some iconic matches, and provide a detailed scorecard from a recent clash to bring the action to life. Whether you’re a lifelong cricket fan or just curious about the game, this piece is written to be clear, engaging, and easy to follow for readers of all ages.
A Brief History of the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team Match Scorecard Rivalry
Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team Match Scorecard have been locking horns on the cricket field since 1986, when Bangladesh played their first One Day International (ODI) against a full-member ICC team, Sri Lanka, in the Asia Cup. Back then, Sri Lanka was the dominant force, often winning by large margins. They were a powerhouse, having won the 1996 Cricket World Cup and boasting legends like Arjuna Ranatunga, Sanath Jayasuriya, and Muttiah Muralitharan. Bangladesh, a young cricketing nation, struggled to keep up but showed flashes of potential.
Over the years, Bangladesh has grown into a formidable side, especially since gaining Test status in 2000. The rivalry has become more balanced, with Bangladesh pulling off stunning upsets, particularly in T20 Internationals and ODIs. The “Naagin Dance” celebrations, sparked in 2018 when Bangladesh’s Nazmul Islam taunted Sri Lanka with a snake-like dance after taking a wicket, have added a playful yet intense edge to the rivalry. Sri Lanka responded in kind, and the back-and-forth has made their encounters must-watch events.
As of 2025, the two teams have faced off 106 times across all formats, with Sri Lanka leading with 76 wins to Bangladesh’s 22. In Tests and ODIs, Sri Lanka holds a clear advantage, but Bangladesh has been closing the gap in T20Is, making every match a thrilling contest. Let’s take a closer look at a recent match to see this rivalry in action.
Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team Match Scorecard, 3rd T20I, July 16, 2025
To give you a clear picture of how these teams compete, let’s focus on the third T20I of a three-match series played on July 16, 2025, at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. This was the series decider, with the series tied at 1-1 after Sri Lanka won the first match and Bangladesh bounced back in the second. The stakes were high, and both teams brought their A-game. Below, we’ll break down the match, including a full scorecard, and explain what made it so special.
Match Overview
The R. Premadasa Stadium was buzzing with excitement as Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat first. The pitch was expected to favor batting, but historical data showed that chasing teams often had the edge at this venue, with 9 out of the last 11 T20Is won by the team batting second. Sri Lanka aimed to set a challenging total, while Bangladesh’s bowlers were determined to keep them in check.
Sri Lanka’s innings got off to a shaky start, but key contributions from Pathum Nissanka and Dasun Shanaka helped them post a respectable total. Bangladesh, led by their captain Litton Das and a fiery bowling performance from Mehidy Hasan Miraz, chased the target with confidence. Let’s dive into the details of the scorecard and the key moments that defined the match.
Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team Match Scorecard, 3rd T20I, July 16, 2025
Below is the detailed scorecard from the match, capturing every run, wicket, and key statistic. This table is designed to be easy to read, with clear sections for batting, bowling, and match details.
|
Bowling (Bangladesh) |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Shoriful Islam |
4 | 0 | 26 | 1 | 6.50 |
|
Mohammad Saifuddin |
4 | 0 | 28 | 1 | 7.00 |
|
Mustafizur Rahman |
4 | 0 | 30 | 1 | 7.50 |
|
Mehidy Hasan Miraz |
4 | 0 | 11 | 4 | 2.75 |
|
Rishad Hossain |
4 | 0 | 35 | 0 | 8.75 |
|
Team |
Innings |
Batting |
Runs |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
Strike Rate |
Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bangladesh |
2nd Innings |
Tanzid Hasan Tamim |
73* | 47 | 8 | 2 | 155.32 |
not out |
|
Parvez Hossain Emon |
5 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 71.43 |
c Kusal Mendis b Binura Fernando |
||
|
Litton Das (c & wk) |
45 | 33 | 6 | 0 | 136.36 |
c Avishka Fernando b Chamika Karunaratne |
||
|
Towhid Hridoy |
6* | 11 | 0 | 0 | 54.55 |
not out |
||
|
Extras |
(lb 1, w 3) |
4 | ||||||
|
Total |
133/2 |
16.2 overs |
RR: 8.14 |
|
Bowling (Sri Lanka) |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Maheesh Theekshana |
4 | 0 | 25 | 0 | 6.25 |
|
Binura Fernando |
3 | 0 | 28 | 1 | 9.33 |
|
Nuwan Thushara |
3 | 0 | 29 | 0 | 9.67 |
|
Chamika Karunaratne |
3 | 0 | 24 | 1 | 8.00 |
|
Jeffrey Vandersay |
2.2 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 9.43 |
|
Dasun Shanaka |
1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4.00 |
|
Match Details |
|
|---|---|
|
Result |
Bangladesh won by 8 wickets |
|
Player of the Match |
Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Bangladesh) |
|
Player of the Series |
Litton Das (Bangladesh) |
|
Venue |
R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo |
|
Date |
July 16, 2025 |
|
Toss |
Sri Lanka won and elected to bat |
|
Umpires |
RJ Tucker, AG Wharf |
|
Match Referee |
Ranjan Madugalle |
Key Moments of the Match
Sri Lanka’s Innings: A Rocky Start, A Fighting Finish
Sri Lanka’s batting lineup faced early trouble. Kusal Mendis, usually a reliable opener, fell for 12, caught by Litton Das off Shoriful Islam. Kusal Perera followed soon after, trapped lbw by Mustafizur Rahman for 8. At 30/2, Sri Lanka was in danger of collapsing. Pathum Nissanka steadied the ship with a composed 46 off 39 balls, hitting five fours and a six. His partnership with Avishka Fernando (14) added some stability, but Bangladesh’s bowlers, led by Mehidy Hasan Miraz, struck back.
Mehidy was the star, bowling an incredible spell of 4 wickets for just 11 runs in his 4 overs. He dismissed Nissanka, Avishka, Charith Asalanka (10), and Maheesh Theekshana (0), tearing through Sri Lanka’s middle order. Dasun Shanaka’s unbeaten 35 off 25 balls, with three fours and a six, gave Sri Lanka some late momentum, but their total of 132/7 felt under-par on a batting-friendly pitch. Bangladesh’s disciplined bowling, especially Mehidy’s tight lines, kept Sri Lanka’s scoring in check.
Bangladesh’s Chase: Tanzid and Litton Shine
Chasing 133, Bangladesh started confidently. Tanzid Hasan Tamim, the young opener, played a match-defining knock of 73 not out off 47 balls, smashing eight fours and two sixes. His aggressive approach set the tone, and he found a perfect partner in captain Litton Das, who scored 45 off 33 balls with six fours. Their 90-run partnership for the second wicket put Bangladesh in control.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers struggled to make breakthroughs. Binura Fernando removed Parvez Hossain Emon early for 5, and Chamika Karunaratne dismissed Litton, but it was too little, too late. Tanzid and Towhid Hridoy (6 not out) guided Bangladesh to victory in just 16.2 overs, winning by 8 wickets with plenty of balls to spare. Mehidy Hasan Miraz was named Player of the Match for his brilliant bowling, while Litton Das took the Player of the Series award for his consistent performances across the three matches.
Why This Match Mattered
This victory was a landmark for Bangladesh, marking their first-ever T20I series win on Sri Lankan soil. The 2-1 series triumph was a testament to their growing prowess in the shortest format. For Sri Lanka, it was a disappointing loss, as they failed to capitalize on home conditions. The match showcased Bangladesh’s ability to adapt and execute under pressure, with their bowlers setting up the game and their batsmen finishing it with flair.
The rivalry’s intensity was evident in the players’ performances and the crowd’s energy. Moments like Mehidy’s fiery spell and Tanzid’s fearless batting added to the legacy of the Naagin Derby. It was a reminder that while Sri Lanka has historically dominated, Bangladesh is no longer the underdog—they’re a team that can compete and win on any stage.
The Bigger Picture: Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team Match Scorecard Rivalry Stats
To put this match into context, let’s look at the overall head-to-head record between these two teams across all formats, as of August 2025:
-
Total Matches: 106
-
Sri Lanka Wins: 76
-
Bangladesh Wins: 22
-
Draws/No Result: 8
-
Tests: Sri Lanka 20, Bangladesh 2, Draws 2 (24 matches)
-
ODIs: Sri Lanka 45, Bangladesh 13, No Result 2 (60 matches)
-
T20Is: Sri Lanka 12, Bangladesh 8 (20 matches)
-
Asia Cup (ODI & T20I): Sri Lanka 14, Bangladesh 3 (17 matches)
-
ICC World Cups: Sri Lanka 3, Bangladesh 1 (4 matches)
Sri Lanka has the edge in Tests and ODIs, but Bangladesh’s recent success in T20Is, like this series win, shows they’re catching up. The 2023 Cricket World Cup saw Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka by 3 wickets, a significant moment in their rivalry. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s three ICC trophies (1996 World Cup, 2002 Champions Trophy, 2014 T20 World Cup) contrast with Bangladesh’s best performances—reaching the 2015 World Cup quarter-finals and the 2017 Champions Trophy semi-finals.
Memorable Moments in the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team Match Scorecard Rivalry
The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team Match Scorecard rivalry is packed with unforgettable moments. Here are a few that stand out:
-
2018 Nidahas Trophy: Bangladesh’s dramatic win in the tri-series, celebrated with the Naagin Dance, sparked a new chapter in the rivalry. Sri Lanka responded with their own dance after winning the series.
-
2022 Asia Cup: Sri Lanka’s thrilling chase of 183 in Dubai, winning with three balls to spare, showcased their resilience. Chamika Karunaratne’s Naagin Dance toward the camera became iconic.
-
2023 World Cup: Bangladesh’s 3-wicket victory over Sri Lanka was a rare World Cup win for the Tigers, proving they could compete in high-stakes matches.
-
2017 Test Victory: Bangladesh’s 4-wicket win in their 100th Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo was a historic milestone, showing their growing strength in the longest format.
These moments highlight the passion and competitiveness that define this rivalry. Whether it’s a dance-off or a nail-biting finish, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh always deliver drama.
What Makes the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team Match Scorecard Rivalry Special?
The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team Match Scorecard rivalry isn’t just about runs and wickets—it’s about pride, progress, and personality. Sri Lanka, with its rich cricketing history, brings experience and flair, while Bangladesh brings hunger and heart. The Naagin Dance saga added a fun, cultural twist, making their matches a blend of sport and spectacle. Fans from both nations pack stadiums or glue themselves to screens, cheering every boundary and wicket with unmatched enthusiasm.
The rivalry also reflects the growth of cricket in the region. Sri Lanka’s dominance in the 1990s and 2000s inspired Bangladesh to aim higher, and now the Tigers are challenging the Lions on equal terms. Each match is a chance for both teams to prove themselves, whether it’s Sri Lanka defending their legacy or Bangladesh showcasing their rise.
Looking Ahead
As we look to the future, the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team Match Scorecard rivalry is only going to get more exciting. Bangladesh’s young stars like Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Mehidy Hasan Miraz are stepping up, while Sri Lanka’s talents like Pathum Nissanka and Kamindu Mendis are keeping the team competitive. With both teams part of the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle and upcoming T20 and ODI tournaments, there’s plenty of cricket to come.
The next time these two teams meet, expect more fireworks—on the field and maybe even in the form of a celebratory dance or two. Whether you’re rooting for Sri Lanka’s experience or Bangladesh’s grit, one thing is certain: this rivalry will keep delivering moments that make cricket so special.
Final Thoughts
The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team Match Scorecard on July 16, 2025, was a perfect snapshot of their rivalry—competitive, intense, and full of standout performances. Bangladesh’s 8-wicket win, powered by Mehidy’s bowling and Tanzid’s batting, showed how far they’ve come. The detailed scorecard above captures the numbers, but the real story is in the passion and drama that unfolded in Colombo. For fans of all ages, this rivalry is a reminder of why we love cricket: it’s unpredictable, emotional, and always keeps you on the edge of your seat.
