Ratnayake's 65 and Two Wickets Lead Sri Lanka to Asian Games Cricket Bronze

Sri Lanka won the bronze medal in men's cricket at the Asian Games 2026, beating Bangladesh by 63 runs in the 3rd place play-off at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin on Saturday, October 3.

Sri Lanka chose to bat and were in trouble at 21 for 4 inside four overs. Captain Sahan Arachchige and Tharindu Ratnayake then added 93 runs in 44 balls on a difficult surface. Ratnayake smashed 65 off 32 balls with 7 fours and 5 sixes, and Arachchige made a composed 33 off 37. Sri Lanka finished on 165 for 9. Mustafizur Rahman and Saif Hassan took two wickets each for Bangladesh.

Ratnayake then starred with the new ball. He and Nuwan Thushara took two wickets apiece as Bangladesh slipped to 18 for 4 in 3.5 overs. The top three batters were all dismissed for ducks. Parvez Hossain Emon (20), Yasir Ali (21) and Nasum Ahmed (26) got starts, but none could turn the chase around. Vijayakanth Viyaskanth and Wanuja Sahan also took two wickets each, and all six Sri Lankan bowlers got among the wickets. Bangladesh were bowled out for 102 in 17.3 overs.

Sri Lanka lost their semi-final to India by 124 runs after being bowled out for 45. They bounced back to finish on the podium, with Nasum Ahmed caught at long-on by Ashen Bandara off Arachchige to end the match. Bangladesh, who lost their semi-final to Pakistan, finished fourth.

The bronze is Sri Lanka's third medal at these Games. Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage won javelin gold, and the women's cricket team took silver behind India. The men's gold medal match between India and Pakistan is being played at the same venue later on Saturday.