Live Update: Tharindu Ratnayake’s all-round show leads Sri Lanka to bronze medal at the 2026 Asian Games. Sri Lanka defeated Bangladesh by 63 runs in the 3rd place play-off on October 3, 2026, with Tharindu Ratnayake contributing with both bat and ball.
Team Sri Lanka (Photo by Robert Cianflone/) Sri Lanka won the bronze medal in the men’s cricket competition of the 2026 Asian Games by defeating Bangladesh by 63 runs in the third place play-off at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin on January 3, 2026. Tharindu Ratnayake delivered an all-round winning performance, scoring 65 runs from 32 balls and then delivering 2 wickets for 18 runs as Bangladesh were bowled out for 102 in 17.3 overs. Sri Lanka reached 165/9 in their allotted 20 overs.
Bangladesh set a target of 166 but never threatened it, losing all ten wickets for 102 runs and missing out by 63 runs. Nuwan Being was Sri Lanka’s other standout bowler, also taking two wickets for 18 runs, while Nasum Ahmed top-scored for Bangladesh with just 26 runs in a largely dispointing batting performance. How did Sri Lanka recover from a difficult start with the bat?
Sri Lanka’s innings started alarmingly. Their top four batters were dismissed for single-figure scores, leaving the team struggling at 21/4 after just four overs in the powerplay. The middle order was immediately under pressure to rebuild from a situation that could easily have resulted in a subpar total.
Ratnayake then joined Sahan Arachchige in the middle and the duo completely transformed the innings. The two batters formed a 93-run partnership for the 6th wicket in just 46 balls, a stand that decisively shifted the momentum in Sri Lanka’s favour. Ratnayake’s contribution to this partnership was a knock of 65 off 32 balls, including 7 fours and 5 sixes.
Through their aggressive stroke play, Sri Lanka recovered from a depth of 21/4 to reach a competitive total of 165/9, a score which ultimately proved more than sufficient. How did Sri Lanka’s bowlers restrict Bangladesh in the chase? Bangladesh’s response began disastrously.
Their top three batters were all sent off for ducks, leaving the team at the top of the rankings without a foundation and putting tremendous pressure on the middle rankings from the first round. There was no restoration of this position. Ratnayake continued his impact straight into the bowling phase, taking two wickets for 18 runs to add to his previous batting performance.
Sohara was equally effective, matching Ratnayake’s figures of 2 wickets for 18 runs and ensuring Bangladesh had no chance of returning to the competition. Bangladesh’s entire innings ended with 102 in 17.3 overs, with Nasum Ahmed’s 26 runs being the highest individual contribution. The 63-run defeat was complete and confirmed Sri Lanka’s bronze medal in the men’s cricket competition at the 2026 Asian Games.
