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Bangladesh emphatically ended their six-match losing streak with a dominant 83-run win over Sri Lanka in the second T20I at Dambulla on 13 July 2025. The victory, powered by Litton Das’ return to form and Shamim Hossain’s blistering knock, levelled the three-match series 1-1 and sets up a mouth-watering decider.
Playing in front of a lively Sri Lankan crowd hoping to see their team wrap up the series, Bangladesh produced arguably their most complete T20 performance of the year. Their batters laid a solid foundation before the bowlers, led by Rishad Hossain and the seamers, ran through Sri Lanka’s fragile batting lineup in just 15.2 overs.
Litton Das Ends His Lean Run in Style
All eyes were on Litton Das as he walked out to bat after a poor run of form, with no half-century in his last 13 T20I innings. Even his coach admitted before the match that their captain was struggling. But in Dambulla, Litton answered his critics with a commanding 76 off 50 balls that included five sixes.
His innings wasn’t without drama. On 30, he charged down the pitch to Jeffrey Vandersay, only to miss the ball entirely. However, Kusal Mendis fumbled the wide delivery behind the stumps and let him off. Sri Lanka would rue that miss dearly.
The biggest let-off came in the 16th over. Having settled in, Litton miscued a sweep off Maheesh Theekshana. A straightforward catch at mid-off was grassed. Litton, then on 56, went on to add 20 crucial runs that gave Bangladesh the upper hand.
His knock wasn’t just about big hits. It was about pacing the innings, steadying things after early wickets, and ensuring the innings didn’t collapse under pressure. When Theekshana finally dismissed him in the 19th over, the damage was done.
Shamim Hossain’s Game-Changing Cameo
If Litton’s innings built the platform, Shamim Hossain’s 48 off 27 delivered the knockout punch. When he walked in during the 12th over, Bangladesh were wobbling. Towhid Hridoy and Mehidy Hasan had just thrown away starts, leaving the innings in danger of fizzling out.
But Shamim attacked from ball two. He cut confidently, pulled ferociously, and manipulated the field brilliantly. He targeted Sri Lanka’s death specialists with special success, hitting three boundaries off Nuwan Thushara and finding gaps off Theekshana and Binura Fernando.
Equally important was his strike rotation. Out of 27 balls faced, only five were dots – evidence of smart, busy batting that kept the pressure on the bowlers throughout. Even though he was run out trying to steal an extra run in the final over, his innings had transformed a potential sub-150 score into a match-winning 177 for 7.
Bangladesh’s Bowling Masterclass
Chasing 178 on a good batting surface, Sri Lanka needed a strong powerplay. In Kandy, Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka had sealed the chase inside the first six overs. But this time Bangladesh’s bowlers were better prepared.
The inclusion of Mustafizur Rahman and Shoriful Islam proved inspired. They bowled with control and variation, denying the Sri Lankan openers any rhythm. Nissanka, despite top-scoring with 32, struggled to find the boundary consistently and eventually fell trying to force the pace.
The early turning point came with Shamim Hossain’s direct-hit run out of Kusal Mendis. That dismissal broke the spine of Sri Lanka’s top order. The middle order of Avishka Fernando, Kusal Perera and Charith Asalanka failed to absorb the pressure, offering tame dismissals as the asking rate climbed.
Dasun Shanaka, the last recognised batter, fell in the 12th over with the score on just 73. From there, it was a procession. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 94 in 15.2 overs – their innings collapsing in spectacular fashion in front of a hushed home crowd.
Rishad Hossain Leads the Attack
Bangladesh’s bowlers shared the spoils, but it was leg-spinner Rishad Hossain who stood out. He picked up 3 for 18, varying his pace cleverly and drawing false shots from batters who seemed caught between aggression and survival. He was ably supported by Shoriful Islam (2 for 12) and Mustafizur, whose tight opening spell created pressure Sri Lanka never escaped.
The fielding effort also deserves credit. Bangladesh were sharp and energetic, with Shamim in particular involved in two crucial dismissals. The difference in intensity between the two sides was striking – and it played a big part in the one-sided result.
Sri Lanka’s Middle-Order Worries Exposed
For Sri Lanka, the defeat raises uncomfortable questions about the depth and adaptability of their batting. In the first T20I, the top-order blitz of Mendis and Nissanka papered over the cracks. In Dambulla, those cracks were fully exposed.
The middle order – Avishka Fernando, Kusal Perera and Asalanka – failed to counter Bangladesh’s disciplined bowling. None of them showed the intent or technique required to shift momentum back Sri Lanka’s way. Even the lower-order hitters, Chamika Karunaratne and Shanaka, were unable to mount a rescue act.
For a team hoping to build a consistent T20I side ahead of global tournaments, such a collapse will worry the think tank. It showed Sri Lanka remain dangerously dependent on their top two, and any early inroads leave them highly vulnerable.
Turning Point: The Shamim Show
If there was a single turning point in the match, it was the arrival of Shamim Hossain at the crease. Bangladesh were in trouble at 90 for 4 in the 12th over. Another wicket then could have kept them to 140 or less. But Shamim’s fearless approach changed everything.
He not only hit boundaries but forced field changes and disrupted the bowlers’ lengths. The flow-on effect was clear: Sri Lanka’s plans at the death went haywire, with their best bowlers targeted and boundaries leaking everywhere. By the time Shamim fell in the final over, he had taken the game decisively away from the hosts.
Fans’ Loyalty Amid Collapse
One moment worth noting was the reaction of the Dambulla crowd. Even as wickets tumbled, they remained patient and supportive for most of the innings. But as the final hope – Shanaka – fell with over eight overs left, fans began to file out. By the 15th over, the stadium was half-empty, a stark image of a chase gone badly wrong.
Series Decider Beckons
The result leaves the series tantalisingly poised at 1-1. The decider promises high drama, with both sides showing they can dominate when things click. Bangladesh will be buoyed by rediscovering their best cricket after six straight defeats. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, must urgently solve their middle-order conundrum if they’re to clinch the series.
Bangladesh’s coach will be especially pleased with the balance in their attack, the intensity in the field, and the renewed confidence of Litton and Shamim. Sri Lanka’s management, in contrast, faces tough selection questions and tactical soul-searching before the final game.
Bangladesh’s win in Dambulla was not just about ending a losing streak. It was a statement of intent. With their top order firing, bowlers hitting their marks, and fielders backing them up, they look a very different side from the one humbled in Kandy.
For Sri Lanka, this defeat is a reality check. The challenge now is to bounce back in the decider and prove they can handle adversity – something all good T20 sides must do. With a packed house expected once again, cricket fans will hope for a fitting finale to what has become an unpredictable, fiercely contested series.
