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Bangladesh will have one final opportunity to finish their Asian Games 2026 campaign with a medal when they take on Sri Lanka in the bronze-medal match at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin on October 3. Both teams missed out on a place in the gold-medal match after suffering defeats in their respective semi-finals.
Bangladesh were beaten by Pakistan by six wickets in a rain-affected first semi-final. The contest was reduced to 13 overs per side, with Bangladesh posting 111/7 before Pakistan chased down the target in 11.3 overs. Towhid Hridoy provided the major batting contribution with an attacking 42 off 25 balls, while Saif Hassan scored 19.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, endured a difficult outing against India, losing by 124 runs after being bowled out for just 45 while chasing 170. With both sides eager to end their campaigns with a podium finish, Bangladesh are likely to stick with most of the combination that featured in the semi-final.
Here is Bangladesh’s predicted playing XI for the bronze-medal match against Sri Lanka:
Tanzid Hasan is likely to continue at the top of the order. The left-hander has the ability to attack during the powerplay and could be particularly important against Sri Lanka’s pace attack.
He was dismissed for seven against Pakistan, but Bangladesh may prefer to give him another opportunity rather than make a major change at the top.
Saif Hassan could retain his place as Tanzid’s opening partner. He made 19 off 17 balls in the semi-final and provided Bangladesh with a reasonable start before being dismissed by Sufyan Moqim.
His ability to contribute with both bat and ball also gives Bangladesh some additional flexibility.
Captain Litton Das will remain one of Bangladesh’s most important players. The experienced right-hander was dismissed for only two against Pakistan, but his leadership and wicketkeeping responsibilities make him a key part of the side.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board had named Litton as captain of the Asian Games squad, while the official tournament squad lists him as the team’s wicketkeeper as well.
A substantial contribution from Litton would provide Bangladesh with much-needed stability.
Parvez Hossain Emon is expected to continue in the middle order. He had a difficult outing against Pakistan, scoring just one run, but Bangladesh could back him to respond in the bronze-medal match.
His aggressive batting style makes him an option who can increase the scoring rate during the middle overs.
Towhid Hridoy is arguably Bangladesh’s biggest batting threat heading into the contest.
He produced an excellent innings in the semi-final, scoring 42 off only 25 deliveries, including four sixes and two fours. His strike rate of 168 helped Bangladesh recover after losing three wickets inside the first four overs.
Hridoy will once again be expected to provide the acceleration in the middle overs.
Mosaddek Hossain could continue as an experienced middle-order all-rounder. He scored 11 off 16 balls in the semi-final and can also provide useful off-spin.
His ability to contribute in multiple departments could be particularly valuable on a surface where spinners have generally played an important role.
Mahedi Hasan is likely to retain his place as one of Bangladesh’s key spin-bowling all-rounders.
The slow conditions at Korogi Sports Park make his role important, particularly during the middle overs. He can also provide useful runs down the order, giving Litton another tactical option.
Rishad Hossain should lead the specialist spin attack. The leg-spinner can be a major wicket-taking threat in the middle overs and could find assistance from the conditions.
Bangladesh will need Rishad to attack rather than simply contain runs, especially against Sri Lanka’s middle order.
Nasum Ahmed is expected to continue as the second specialist spinner.
The left-arm spinner gives Bangladesh variety and can create problems for right-handed batters. With Sri Lanka likely to field several right-handers, Nasum’s matchup could be particularly useful.
Shoriful Islam could retain his place as one of Bangladesh’s frontline seamers.
His ability to swing the new ball and vary his pace makes him an important option during both the powerplay and death overs. Bangladesh may want early wickets after their semi-final opponents made a quick start in the chase.
Mustafizur Rahman is expected to complete the XI. The experienced left-arm pacer brings considerable international experience and remains one of Bangladesh’s most reliable options with the ball.
His cutters and variations could be particularly effective on a slower Nisshin surface.
Tanzid Hasan, Saif Hassan, Litton Das (c & wk), Parvez Hossain Emon, Towhid Hridoy, Mosaddek Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman
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