The Bangladesh–Sri Lankacricket rivalry is one of the most intense sports rivalries in the world.[1][2] The two teams are contesting each other internationally since 1986 where Sri Lanka has the upper hand in most of the occasions. However, since 2017, the rivalry has become even between the two sides, where Bangladesh made successful wins against Sri Lanka at major ICC competitions.[3][4]
Sri Lanka has won 3 ICC tournaments compared to none of Bangladesh. At the senior level, Sri Lanka has won 9 global trophies (1 Cricket World Cup, 1 T20 World Cup, 1 Champions Trophy, 6 Asia Cups), while Bangladesh has never won any global competition. The best results for Bangladesh so far in ICC events are reaching the quarter-finals of 2015 Cricket World Cup and the semi-finals of 2017 ICC Champions Trophy. They have played the Asia Cup finals thrice, in 2012, 2016 and 2018.
Bangladesh started franchise cricket in 2012 with Bangladesh Premier League, where they hired two Sri Lankan players: Sanath Jayasuriya (for Khulna Royal Bengal), Muttiah Muralitharan for Chittagong Kings; in the first choice highest paid, and continued in following seasons. During the economic crisis in Sri Lanka since 2019, the Bangladesh government supported with a $200 million loan.[6][7][8]
On 15 February 2018, the rivalry arose when Bangladesh spinner Nazmul Islam celebrates his maiden T20I wicket with the naagin dance by dismissing Sri Lankan opener Danushka Gunathilaka.[3][9] Sri Lanka however won the match by 6 wickets.[10] In the second T20I of the series, on 18 February 2018, Gunathilaka responded by mimicking Nazmul's naagin dance towards the non-striker's end where Nazmul was standing, after taking the final Bangladesh wicket to complete the series win 2–0.[11][2]
The two teams then met in Sri Lanka for the 2018 Nidahas Trophy along with India, which was held to celebrate the 70 years of independence of Sri Lanka.[3][2] On 10 March 2018, in the first match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, Mushfiqur Rahim of Bangladesh did an angry version of the Naagin dance towards the bowler Thisara Perera after his match-winning fifty in front of a packed Sri Lankan crowd.[11][12] This created huge disrespect toward Bangladesh by Sri Lankan fans, started to criticise in public. This loss also marked Sri Lanka's 50th loss in T20Is, becoming the first team to record 50 defeats in T20Is,[13] and Bangladesh's highest successful chase in T20Is and was the fourth highest successful run chase in T20Is.[14][15]
The next match between the teams had more drama on and off the field.[3] The sixth match of the tournament and a must-win situation for Sri Lanka to reach the final was held on March 16, 2018, in Colombo.[2] Sri Lanka batted first and scored 159 courtesy of Kusal Perera's 61 and skipper Thisara Perera's quick 58. In chasing, Bangladesh were 33 for 2 in the fourth over, but Mushfiqur Rahim and Tamim Iqbal combined for 64 runs off 52 balls and gained momentum. After their wickets, Bangladesh still required 51 off 31 balls with 5 wickets in hand, when Mahmudullah came to bat. Bangladesh needed 12 runs in the last over, which was bowled by Isuru Udana. Udana started with a short delivery on middle and leg in the first ball and then took a wicket in the second ball with a bouncer. Bangladesh needed 12 off four when Udana delivered another bouncer to Mahmadullah, which was not given wide by the umpires.[16] This made a heated conversation between Bangladesh sub fielder Nurul Hasan with the Sri Lankan fielders, especially skipper Thisara Perera and Kusal Mendis by pointing fingers and aggressive bodily contact.[17]
Meanwhile, umpires had a chat with the two batsmen when skipper Shakib al Hasan, who was shirtless, interfered and asked the two batsmen to leave the ground. However, the assistant coach of Bangladesh Khaled Mahmud informed Mahmudullah to go back and finish the game. In the next three balls, Mahmudullah scored 4, 2 and 6 to seal the game and knocked Sri Lanka from the final. After the win, Bangladesh players, led by captain Shakib and the coaching staff stormed to the field to celebrate the victory with a ‘Nagin Dance’ directed towards Sri Lankan players and the crowd.[11] During the course, Bangladeshi players shattered the window of the Bangladesh dressing room in R. Premadasa Stadium as well.[17] Then BCB pays SLC for a broken glass door of the Bangladesh dressing room. Later, both Shakib and Nurul received one demerit point each for breaching Level 1 of the ICC code of conduct and were fined 25% of their match fees.[18]
In the final between Bangladesh and India, Sri Lankan fans made a campaign to support India in the final and showed several banners "No more cobra dance, cheer for India".[11] India needed 34 in 12 balls, where Dinesh Karthik made a masterclass innings to win the title for India. After the win, Sri Lankan fans celebrated the moment with a Naagin dance showing towards Bangladeshi players.[19]
The dance and rivalry grew again during the 2022 Asia Cup held in the UAE. On 1 September 2022, Sri Lanka played against Bangladesh in another must-win situation after being thumped by Afghanistan. Bangladesh batted first in batting friendly Dubai and scored 183. In reply, Sri Lanka lost wickets in regular intervals, leaving 25 needed in 12 balls to win the game. After scoring 17 runs in the 19th over, Bangladesh had to keep five fielders in the circle due to the slow over rate rule. Sri Lanka eventually won the match with three balls to spare. Chamika Karunaratne who was in the dressing room posed naagin dance towards the camera after the win.[11][3]
The two nations headlined again during the 2023 Cricket World Cup in India. Sri Lanka went through the qualifying tournament and Bangladesh had the automatic qualification for the World Cup. Until this, Sri Lanka won all the matches in the world cup against Bangladesh by large margins. On 9 November 2023, Bangladesh asked Sri Lanka to bat first in Delhi. Sri Lanka were 135 for 4 in 24 overs and into a good total. At this time veteran Angelo Mathews came to the crease after the wicket of Sadeera Samarawickrama. However, Mathews faced a helmet malfunction and asked for a new helmet chin strap in the innings. At this time, Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan asked the umpires for Timed Out dismissal.[2]Mathews came to bat a minute and 10 seconds after Samarawickrama's dismissal and met the non-striker Charith Asalanka to exchange a quick word. Meanwhile, Richard Illingworth informed Mathews that he had 30 seconds left. At this time, Mathews had the helmet malfunction.[20]
After a long discussion among the on-field umpires (Illingworth and Marais), reserve umpire Adrian Holdstock and TV umpire Nitin Menon, Mathews was declared out in Timed Out.[21] Mathews then asked to use the 'common sense' of having equipment malfunction to both umpires and Bangladesh skipper, but no one reversed the decision. Mathews left the field as the first international cricketer to be out in Timed Out.[22] By the time Mathews got a new helmet, about two-and-a-half minutes had passed according to the officials. When bowling, Mathews dismissed Shakib and gestures to his wrist, now known as "Time Out celebration".[3]
After the match, several current and former players criticised Shakib's option on Time Out, including Bangladesh fast bowling coach Allan Donald.[23][24] In post match media presentation, both Mathews and Shakib explained the incident, where Shakib said it was all under the law and nothing beyond that.[25] Meanwhile, Mathews stated that he had lost all the respect for Shakib and only Bangladesh could have done such a thing, as well as making video evidence to prove that he was within the time in helmet malfunction.[26][27]
In 2024, Sri Lanka toured Bangladesh for a complete tour.[28] In the first T20I match, Bangladeshi pacer Shoriful Islam mimics Angelo Mathews with 'Time Out celebration' after the dismissal.[29] After winning the T20I series 2–1, Sri Lankan players made timed-out gesture in posing the camera with the trophy.[3] After that incidence, Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto stated that Sri Lanka team need to move on from the Timed out incidence.[30][31] However, after winning the ODI series 2–1, Bangladeshi player Mushfiqur Rahim gestured helmet malfunction during winning celebrations.[32][33]
Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka spoke in the media that Bangladesh were "an easier opponent" because they did not have world-class bowlers barring Shakib and Mustafizur Rahman before the 2022 Asia Cup match.[36][37]
Bangladesh's team director Khaled Mahmud responded to Shanaka, by saying that "Sri Lanka did not have any world-class bowlers, we have two".[38]
In reply to Mahmud's comment, former cricketer Mahela Jayawardene wrote on Twitter, "Looks like it's time for Sri Lanka bowlers to show the class and batters to show who they are on the field."[39]
The two sides have played a total of 100 times. Sri Lanka has won 74 matches compared to Bangladesh's 19 victories. In Test matches and ODIs, Sri Lanka has won more matches than Bangladesh, although Bangladesh has won close encounters in Twenty20 Internationals.
Sri Lanka has won three meetings at the ICC Cricket World Cups, in 2003, 2007, and 2015 whereas Bangladesh won the latest meeting in 2023. This makes the scoreline to 3–1 in Sri Lanka's favour at ODI World Cups.[40]
In the T20 World Cups also, Sri Lanka has a superior record, where they won two outings in 2007 and 2021.[41] However, Bangladesh registered its first-ever win against Sri Lanka in a T20 World Cup group D match during the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.[42]
Sri Lanka won the only time when they faced each other on Champions Trophy.
The teams have met on 17 occasions in the Asia Cup, in both ODI and T20I format matches. Sri Lanka has won 14 of these meetings compared to Bangladesh's three victories.[43]
The two countries have played in the Cricket World Cup, and the Twenty20 World Cup, all of which are organized by the governing body of world cricket, the International Cricket Council. Sri Lanka has won 3 ICC tournaments compared to none of Bangladesh. At senior-level, Sri Lanka has won 3 ICC trophies (1 Cricket World Cup, 1 T20 World Cup, 1 Champions Trophy), while Bangladesh have none in their world cup appearances.
Sri Lanka has won the ICC Cricket World Cup in 1996 and Bangladesh's best-ever performance came in 2015 when they reached the quarter finals. Sri Lanka has won the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in 2014, where Bangladesh has won none. In the ICC Champions Trophy, another ODI tournament, Sri Lanka won the trophy in 2002, while Bangladesh reached the semi-finals in 2017. Neither team has won the World Test Championship.
Sri Lanka has participated in all 16 editions of the Asia Cups hosted, winning 6 trophies. Bangladesh did not qualify for the inaugural edition of the Asia Cup in 1984. Sri Lanka also won the Asian Test Championship once.
Thirteen Test series have been played between the two sides. Sri Lanka has hosted seven of the series, with 14 matches played at home. Bangladesh has hosted six series with 12 matches played at home. Sri Lanka has dominated with twelve series wins, Bangladesh has never won a bilateral test series played between the two countries.[45]
The two teams have played 57 ODI matches since 1986, where Sri Lanka has won 43 matches and Bangladesh won 12 matches.[46]
Decade
Matches
Result
Sri Lanka
Bangladesh
No result
1980s
2
2
0
0
1990s
3
3
0
0
2000s
21
19
2
0
2010s
22
15
5
2
2020s
9
4
5
0
Total
57
43
12
2
The two sides have played a total of 10 bilateral ODI series. Other than that, the two sides also met in 12 Asia cups, 3 tri-nation series, and 5 ICC multinational series. Out of 10 bilateral series, Six of these have been played in Sri Lanka, while Bangladesh has hosted four series. Overall, Sri Lanka has won 6 of the series with Bangladesh winning two as well as 2 drawn series.
The two teams have played 17 T20I matches since 2007, where Sri Lanka has won 11 matches and Bangladesh won 6 matches.[47]
Decade
Matches
Result
Sri Lanka
Bangladesh
Tie/No result
2000s
1
1
0
0
2010s
10
6
4
0
2020s
6
4
2
0
Total
17
11
6
0
The two sides have played a total of 5 bilateral T20I series. Other than that, the two sides also met in 2 Asia cups, 1 tri-nation series and 3 ICC multinational series. Out of 5 bilateral series, two of these have been played in Sri Lanka, while Bangladesh has hosted three series. Overall, Sri Lanka has won all 5 series, two Twenty20 World Cup matches and all Asia Cup meetings, whereas Bangladesh has won meetings at the tri-nation series and one Twenty20 World Cup match.
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