Sri Lanka–Bangladesh cricket rivalry
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The Sri Lanka–Bangladesh cricket 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 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 have never won any global competition.
The two sides first played in 1986, when Bangladesh toured Sri Lanka for the 1986 Asia Cup after winning the 1984 South-East Asia Cup. Tests and, later, limited overs series have been played ever since. The growth of large expatriate populations from both countries across the world led to neutral venues, including the Australia, UAE and Canada, hosting bilateral and multilateral One Day International (ODI) series involving the two teams and the teams have met during International Cricket Council (ICC) competitions.
History[edit]
The rise of multinational competitions such as the Cricket World Cup, ICC T20 World Cup, ICC Champions Trophy, and the Asia Cup led to more regular, spicier, heated contests between the two sides.[2][5]
The rivalry intensified in both on and off the field since 2018 among the players, officials as well as fans. Bangladesh usually appointed former Sri Lankan players in their coaching staff in numerous occasions, such as Athula Samarasekara, Ruwan Kalpage, Mario Villavarayan, Champaka Ramanayake, Rangana Herath, Thilan Samaraweera, Naveed Nawaz, Hashan Tillakaratne and current coach Chandika Hathurusinghe. Other than that, Bangladesh also hired former 1996 World Cup-winning coach Dav Whatmore and many more Sri Lankan coaches and curators into their country.[2]
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 first choice highest paid, and continued in following seasons. During the economic crisis in Sri Lanka since 2019, Bangladesh government supported with a $200 million loan.[6][7][8]
Naagin dance[edit]
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 the 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 the 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 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 4, 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, assistant coach of Bangladesh Khaled Mahmud informed Mahmudullah to go back and finish the game. In next three balls, Mahmudullah scored 4, 2 and 6 to seal the game and knocked Sri Lanka from final. After the win, Bangladesh players, led by captain Shakib and the coaching staff stormed to the field to celebrate the victory with ‘Nagin Dance’ directing towards Sri Lankan players and the crowd.[11] During the course, Bangladeshi players shattered the window of 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 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 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 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 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 camera after the win.[11][3]
Timed out incidence[edit]
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 world cups against Bangladesh in 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 the long discussion among the on-field umpires (Illingworth and Marais Erasmus), 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 made 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 2–0, 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]
Other incidences[edit]
- Liton Das and Lahiru Kumara were fined after a heated on-field conversation during the pool match in 2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.[34][35]
- Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka spoke in media that Bangladesh were "an easier opponent" because they do not have world-class bowlers barring Shakib and Mustafizur Rahman before 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]
Summary of results[edit]
- As of 9 June 2024
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 encounter in Twenty20 Internationals.
| Format | Matches played | Sri Lanka won | Bangladesh won | Draw/Tie/No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 26 | 20 | 1 | 5 |
| ODI | 57 | 43 | 12 | 2 |
| T20I | 17 | 11 | 6 | 0 |
| Total | 100 | 74 | 19 | 7 |
- Bold indicates most wins.
ICC matches[edit]
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 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]
The two teams have not yet met in the Champions Trophy. The two sides did not play in the final of the World Test Championship yet.
| Tournament | Matches played | Sri Lanka won | Bangladesh won | Draw/Tie/No result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| World Cup | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| T20 World Cup | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Champions Trophy | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| World Test Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 |
ACC matches[edit]
The teams have met on 17 occasions in the Asia Cup, in both ODI and T20I format matches. Sri Lanka has won 15 of these meetings compared to Bangladesh's two victories.[43]
| Tournament | Matches played | Sri Lanka won | Bangladesh won | Draw/Tie/No result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asia Cup ODI | 15 | 13 | 2 | 0 |
| Asia Cup Twenty20 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Asian Test Championship | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 18 | 16 | 2 | 0 |
ICC tournaments won[edit]
The two countries have played in 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 Cups, 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 reach 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 semi finals in 2017. Neither team has won the World Test Championship.
| Tournament | Sri Lanka | Bangladesh |
|---|---|---|
| ICC Cricket World Cup | 1 | 0 |
| ICC T20 World Cup | 1 | 0 |
| ICC Champions Trophy | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 3 | 0 |
ACC tournaments Won[edit]
Sri Lanka have 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.
| Tournament | Sri Lanka | Bangladesh |
|---|---|---|
| ACC Asia Cup (ODI) | 5 | 0 |
| ACC Asia Cup (T20I) | 1 | 0 |
| Asian Test Championship | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 7 | 0 |
List of Test series[edit]
The two teams have played 26 Test matches since 2001, where Sri Lanka has won 20 matches and Bangladesh won a single match.[44]
Overall Test match results[edit]
| Decade | Matches | Result | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka | Bangladesh | Drawn | ||
| 2000s | 12 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| 2010s | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| 2020s | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 |
| Total | 26 | 20 | 1 | 5 |
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 dominated with twelve series wins, although Bangladesh has never won the bilateral test series.[45]
| Season | Host | Date first Test started | Tests | Sri Lanka won | Bangladesh won | Drawn | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001–02 | Sri Lanka | 6 September 2001 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Sri Lanka |
| 2002 | Sri Lanka | 21 July 2002 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Sri Lanka |
| 2005 | Sri Lanka | 12 September 2005 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Sri Lanka |
| 2005–06 | Bangladesh | 28 February 2006 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Sri Lanka |
| 2007 | Sri Lanka | 25 June 2007 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | Sri Lanka |
| 2008–09 | Bangladesh | 26 December 2008 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Sri Lanka |
| 2012–13 | Sri Lanka | 8 March 2013 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Sri Lanka |
| 2013–14 | Bangladesh | 27 January 2014 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Sri Lanka |
| 2016–17 | Sri Lanka | 7 March 2017 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Drawn |
| 2017–18 | Bangladesh | 31 January 2018 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Sri Lanka |
| 2020–21 | Sri Lanka | 21 April 2021 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Sri Lanka |
| 2022 | Bangladesh | 15 May 2022 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Sri Lanka |
| 2023–24 | Bangladesh | 22 March 2024 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Sri Lanka |
| Total | 14 | 26 | 20 | 1 | 5 |
List of ODI series[edit]
Overall ODI match results[edit]
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.
| Season | Host | Date of first match | Matches | Sri Lanka won | Bangladesh won | Tie/No Result | Winner | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Sri Lanka | 2 April 1986 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Sri Lanka | Asia Cup |
| 1988 | Bangladesh | 2 November 1988 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Sri Lanka | Asia Cup |
| 1990–91 | India | 31 December 1990 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Sri Lanka | Asia Cup |
| 1995 | UAE | 6 April 1995 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Sri Lanka | Asia Cup |
| 1997 | Sri Lanka | 22 July 1997 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Sri Lanka | Asia Cup |
| 2000 | Bangladesh | 29 May 2000 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Sri Lanka | Asia Cup |
| 2002 | Sri Lanka | 4 August 2002 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | Sri Lanka | |
| 2003 | South Africa | 14 February 2003 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Sri Lanka | World Cup |
| 2004 | Sri Lanka | 23 July 1997 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Sri Lanka | Asia Cup |
| 2005 | Sri Lanka | 31 August 2005 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | Sri Lanka | |
| 2005–06 | Bangladesh | 20 February 2006 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | Sri Lanka | |
| 2006 | India | 7 October 2006 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Sri Lanka | Champions Trophy |
| 2007 | West Indies | 21 March 2007 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Sri Lanka | World Cup |
| 2007 | Sri Lanka | 20 July 2007 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | Sri Lanka | |
| 2008 | Pakistan | 25 June 2008 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Sri Lanka | Asia Cup |
| 2008–09 | Bangladesh | 25 June 2008 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Sri Lanka | Tri-Series |
| 2009–10 | Bangladesh | 25 June 2008 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Sri Lanka | |
| 2010 | Sri Lanka | 18 June 2010 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Sri Lanka | Asia Cup |
| 2012 | Bangladesh | 20 March 2012 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | Bangladesh | Asia Cup |
| 2012–13 | Sri Lanka | 23 March 2013 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Drawn | |
| 2013–14 | Bangladesh | 17 February 2014 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | Sri Lanka | |
| 2014 | Bangladesh | 6 March 2014 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Sri Lanka | Asia Cup |
| 2015 | Australia | 26 February 2015 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Sri Lanka | World Cup |
| 2016–17 | Sri Lanka | 25 March 2017 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Drawn | |
| 2017–18 | Bangladesh | 19 January 2018 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | Sri Lanka | Tri-Series |
| 2018 | UAE | 15 September 2018 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | Bangladesh | Asia Cup |
| 2019 | Sri Lanka | 26 July 2019 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | Sri Lanka | |
| 2021 | Bangladesh | 23 May 2021 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | Bangladesh | |
| 2023 | Sri Lanka | 21 August 2023 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Sri Lanka | Asia Cup |
| 2023 | India | 6 November 2023 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | Bangladesh | World Cup |
| 2023–24 | Bangladesh | 23 May 2021 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | Bangladesh | |
| Total | 31 | 57 | 43 | 12 | 2 |
List of T20I series[edit]
Overall T20I match results[edit]
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.
| Year(s) | Host | Date of first match | Matches | India won | Pakistan won | Tie/No Result | Winner | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | South Africa | 18 September 2007 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Sri Lanka | World Twenty20 |
| 2012–13 | Sri Lanka | 31 March 2013 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Sri Lanka | |
| 2013–14 | Bangladesh | 12 February 2014 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Sri Lanka | |
| 2016 | Bangladesh | 28 February 2016 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | Bangladesh | Asia cup |
| 2016–17 | Sri Lanka | 4 April 2017 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Drawn | |
| 2017–18 | Bangladesh | 15 February 2018 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Sri Lanka | |
| 2018 | Sri Lanka | 10 March 2018 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | Bangladesh | Tri-Series |
| 2021 | UAE | 24 October 2021 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Sri Lanka | World Twenty20 |
| 2022 | UAE | 1 September 2022 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Sri Lanka | Asia cup |
| 2023–24 | Bangladesh | 4 March 2024 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | Sri Lanka | |
| 2024 | USA | 4 March 2024 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Bangladesh | World Twenty20 | |
| Total | 11 | 17 | 11 | 6 | 0 |
Test records[edit]
Team records[edit]
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Individual records[edit]
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One Day International Records[edit]
Team records[edit]
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