Sri Lanka clinches Asian Games bronze with 63-run rout of Bangladesh

Bangladesh returned home empty-handed from the Asian Games for the first time after a disastrous batting display in the third-place playoff. Chasing a target of 166, the Tigers collapsed to 18 for 4 in just 3.5 overs, with three top-order batters failing to score a single run, ultimately falling 63 runs short. This result marks a sharp exit for the Litton Das-led squad, which had previously captured gold in 2010. For Sri Lanka, the victory offered a swift redemption after the team was bowled out for a record-low 45 runs against India just two days prior. The decisive performance at Korogi Sports Park saw Tharindu Ratnayake anchor the Sri Lankan innings with a blistering 65 off 32 balls. Bangladesh struggled to gain momentum throughout the chase, with only Nasum Ahmed providing a late resistance of 26 runs before the team was dismissed in 17.3 overs. The Sri Lankan bowling attack was shared effectively, as Nuwan Thushara, Tharindu Ratnayake, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, and Wanuja Sahan claimed two wickets each to stifle any chance of a comeback. This bronze medal playoff served as the final chapter for both teams in the tournament, occurring on the same day as the gold medal match between India and Pakistan.