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Sri Lanka will look to put their disappointing semi-final defeat behind them when they take on Bangladesh in the bronze-medal match of the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket competition. The third-place playoff is scheduled to take place on October 3 at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan.
Sri Lanka suffered a heavy 124-run defeat against India in the second semi-final. After India posted 169/7, led by Ishan Kishan’s unbeaten 80, Sri Lanka were bowled out for just 45 in 9.5 overs. Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel and Abhishek Sharma dismantled the Sri Lankan batting lineup as the island nation struggled to deal with the challenging conditions.
Bangladesh, meanwhile, went down to Pakistan in the first semi-final. In a match reduced to 13 overs per side, Bangladesh managed 111/7 before Pakistan chased down the target in 11.3 overs to win by six wickets.
With a bronze medal at stake, Sri Lanka are expected to make a few adjustments while retaining the core of the XI that featured against India.
Here is Sri Lanka’s predicted playing XI for Bronze Medal match vs Bangladesh:
Lasith Croospulle is likely to retain his place at the top of the order. The right-handed batter is one of the specialist opening options in Sri Lanka’s Asian Games squad and could be given another opportunity to provide a fast start.
Sri Lanka will need a much better powerplay performance after their top order collapsed against India.
Sineth Jayawardena could continue alongside Croospulle at the top. However, he will be looking to make a stronger impact after being dismissed for a duck by Bumrah in the opening over of the semi-final.
The Bangladesh attack will present a different challenge, and Jayawardena could play an important role in setting the platform for the middle order.
Sohan de Livera is likely to retain the wicketkeeping duties. He was included behind the stumps against India and is one of two wicketkeeping options in Sri Lanka’s squad, with Niroshan Dickwella also available.
Given the importance of the bronze-medal match, Sri Lanka could continue with the same combination rather than make unnecessary changes.
Ashen Bandara brings experience to the middle order and should feature at No. 4. His ability to rotate the strike and attack spin could be useful against Bangladesh.
Sri Lanka will need their middle order to spend more time at the crease after the team lost wickets at regular intervals against India.
Captain Sahan Arachchige is expected to lead the side from No. 5. The all-rounder is one of the senior members of the squad and was appointed captain for the Asian Games.
His contribution with both bat and ball could become particularly important in a must-win medal match.
Nuwanidu Fernando could continue in the middle order. The right-hander provides Sri Lanka with another batting option and can help bridge the gap between the specialist batters and all-rounders.
After the batting collapse against India, Sri Lanka will need greater resistance from this part of the lineup.
Chamika Karunaratne is likely to retain his place as the team’s seam-bowling all-rounder. His ability to contribute with the bat gives Sri Lanka additional depth.
He could also be entrusted with important overs depending on the match situation.
Wanuja Sahan could feature as another all-round option. He was part of Sri Lanka’s XI against India and provides another bowling option alongside Karunaratne and the specialist attack.
Sri Lanka may prefer this balance for the bronze-medal contest.
Vijayakanth Viyaskanth is expected to lead the spin department. The leg-spinner is one of the specialist bowlers named in Sri Lanka’s Asian Games squad and could be particularly important against Bangladesh’s right-handed-heavy batting lineup.
His ability to attack through the middle overs could give Sri Lanka a crucial wicket-taking option.
Tharindu Ratnayake could retain his place as another bowling all-rounder. His presence gives captain Arachchige flexibility when managing the bowling attack.
Sri Lanka may need to use their bowling options aggressively against Bangladesh after failing to create enough pressure against India.
Binura Fernando is likely to complete the XI as the specialist left-arm seamer. His experience and ability to generate movement with the new ball could be valuable against Bangladesh’s aggressive opening combination.
He will be expected to provide early breakthroughs and give Sri Lanka an opportunity to control the powerplay.
Lasith Croospulle, Sineth Jayawardena, Sohan de Livera (wk), Ashen Bandara, Sahan Arachchige (c), Nuwanidu Fernando, Chamika Karunaratne, Wanuja Sahan, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Tharindu Ratnayake, Binura Fernando
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