Sri Lanka defeated Bangladesh by 63 runs in the third-place play-off at Korogi Sports Park on October 3, 2026. Sri Lanka posted 165 for 9 in 20 overs, with Tharindu Ratnayake scoring 65 and taking 2 wickets. Bangladesh were bowled out for 102 in 17.3 overs, with Nasum Ahmed top-scoring with 26 off 28 balls. The loss meant Bangladesh failed to secure any medal in cricket at the continental event for the first time in their Asian Games history.
Captain Litton Das acknowledged the strength of Sri Lanka’s batting performance and the difficulty his bowlers faced in responding to Ratnayake’s aggressive approach. Das recognised that his team’s bowling was effective early in the innings but could not adapt once Ratnayake began playing attacking shots. Bangladesh’s batting collapse was equally concerning, with Das himself dismissed without scoring along with Saif Hassan and Tanzid Hasan Tamim. Das managed scores of 2 and 0 across his two matches at the Asian Games.
“I think we bowled very well in the first 8 overs. Then you saw the kind of shots [Ratnayake] came and played on this wicket, it was very difficult,” Das said as quoted by Cricbuzz.
Das defends his captaincy despite personal batting struggles
Das was removed by Nuwan Thushara with a pinpoint yorker for a duck in the third-place play-off. When asked about his future as captain, Das made clear his intention to continue in the role despite the team’s failure to win a medal. He explained that cricket naturally involves periods of success and difficulty, and resignation would not address the underlying issues. Das expressed confidence that the team would bounce back and deliver improved performances in future competitions.
“I don’t want to resign. There are ups and downs in cricket. One day it will be good, one day it will be bad. There is no point in resigning here. It’s normal,” Das said.
“I came with a big target. When I can’t deliver that…everyone will feel bad and it’s natural. But as a team, we have given a lot in the past. I think we will give in the future too. We will try for that again,” he added.
Das addresses player conduct and facilities at the Asian Games
Das also addressed questions about player conduct during the Asian Games. Reports had emerged of players leaving the team hotel without authorization. Das defended the players’ actions by pointing to the facilities available to them and the need for players to maintain their energy levels during the tournament. He questioned whether players should remain confined to their rooms and noted that if the food provided by the federation or the Asian Games organisers was unsuitable, players would naturally seek alternatives.
“Practice is required. Are there facilities there? No, So will a player be confined inside a room all day? They need energy. If you think that the food that is being provided by the federation here or the food that is being provided by the Asian Games is not suitable for us, then won’t a player eat? So if they want to eat, they have to go out. That’s what the players did,” Das said.
