Sri Lanka clinched the bronze medal in the men's cricket competition at the 2026 Asian Games after defeating Bangladesh by 63 runs in the third-place playoff in Nisshin, Japan.
Batting first after winning the toss, Sri Lanka posted 165 for nine in their allotted 20 overs on a challenging two-paced surface.
Tharindu Rathnayake led the Sri Lankan innings with a blistering 65 off 32 balls, including seven fours and five sixes. Captain Sahan Arachchige contributed 33 runs to help Sri Lanka set Bangladesh a target of 166.
Bangladesh's Mahedi Hasan, Saif Hassan and Mustafizur Rahman claimed two wickets each, while Nuwanidu Fernando was controversially dismissed caught behind despite television replays appearing to show a gap between the bat and ball. With no Decision Review System available, the decision stood.
In reply, Bangladesh struggled against a disciplined Sri Lankan bowling attack and were bowled out for 102 in 17.3 overs.
Nasum Ahmed top-scored for Bangladesh with 26, while Litton Das was dismissed for a golden duck.
Nuwan Thushara, Wanuja Sahan and Vijayakanth Viyaskanth claimed two wickets each as Sri Lanka completed a 63-run victory and secured the bronze medal.
