**Asia Cup 2025: Dasun Shanaka Slams Unbeaten 64 Against Bangladesh**
*By Rajdeep Saha | Sep 20, 2025, 10:25 PM*
In the Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 clash held in Dubai, Dasun Shanaka played a stellar role in guiding Sri Lanka to a competitive total of 168/7 against Bangladesh. Shanaka’s unbeaten 64 off just 37 balls, featuring three fours and six sixes, marked his first half-century in over two-and-a-half years.
**Match Progression**
Sri Lanka’s innings began positively with openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis adding 44 runs in the first five overs. However, momentum shifted when pacer Taskin Ahmed dismissed Nissanka. Soon after, Mendis was caught near backward square leg off left-arm spinner Mahedi Hasan, leaving Sri Lanka in early trouble.
**Shanaka’s Explosive Knock Brings Recovery**
Following the early setbacks, Shanaka partnered with Charith Asalanka, who scored 21, to forge a crucial 57-run stand for the fifth wicket. This partnership revived Sri Lanka’s innings after a middle-order collapse.
Shanaka reached his half-century in just 30 balls, highlighted by two consecutive sixes off pacer Shoriful Islam. He further attacked left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed with a boundary and two sixes, pushing Sri Lanka towards a fighting total.
**Statistical Highlights**
– Shanaka’s unbeaten 64 marks his 20th fifty-plus score in T20 cricket.
– With this knock, he has accumulated 1,601 runs from 112 matches (101 innings) at an average of 20.52.
– This was his 6th T20 fifty and he has now hit 80 T20I sixes for Sri Lanka.
– Against Bangladesh, Shanaka has scored 294 runs in 16 matches at an average of 36.75, making this his maiden fifty versus the side.
– Overall in T20 cricket, Shanaka has amassed 4,671 runs from 257 games (233 innings) at an average of 26.38, including 17 fifties and 3 hundreds.
Dasun Shanaka’s impressive performance played a pivotal role in giving Sri Lanka a strong platform against Bangladesh in this key Super 4 encounter.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/dasun-shanaka-shines-versus-bangladesh-in-asia-cup/story
