Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka (Source: @roushanalam/X.com)
Popularly known as the 'Naagin' Derby, the Bangladesh and Sri Lankan sides have often engaged in some hard-fought battles in the past. Ahead of this Asia Cup T20 2025 game between these rivals, let's have a look at the entire history of this significant event in cricketing ecosystem.
The Serpent's Debut In 2018
It was the year 2018, and Bangladesh spinner Nazmul Islam Apu was all set to feature in this game, making his international T20 debut against Sri Lanka on the 15th of February. After dismissing four of Sri Lankan batters, Nazmul performed his 'Naagin' celebration, which he brought in from the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) during the 2016 season. After playing a part for the Rajshahi Kings, he brought his Cobra-hooded celebration, which has received the approval of Darren Sammy.
Following this celebration, Sri Lanka, which saw enough of Nazmul, gave him a reply back in the very next game of this series, which was the third T20I, as Danushka Gunathilaka performed this celebration after taking Bangladesh's final wicket in response to Nazmul's envenoming attack.
The Nidahas Trophy Fallout
However, the major point in this rivalry came during the Nidahas Trophy in 2018 when India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh were a part of this iconic series. Bangladesh did a favour to themselves after chasing down 215 in a tense match, as the entire Tigers lineup invaded into the stadium, and gave a fitting 'Naagin' dance to the Sri Lankan side and their fans who were seated in the stadium.
This incident didn't go down well with the Sri Lankan fans, who then gave the Bangladesh side a 'Naagin' celebration after the Tigers lost to India in a thrilling finale.
The Asia Cup 2022 Revenge
The third part of this rivalry came during the nail-biting Asia Cup 2022, when Sri Lanka, after getting past Bangladesh in a tense game, saw Sri Lankan all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne giving a 'Naagin' response to victory from the dressing room, which was captured on camera, seen as one of the sweetest revenge in this instalment of the rivalry.
From Naagin To Time-Out
Interestingly, the fourth instalment of this storyline wasn't just a 'Naagin' rivalry but one of the most notable incidents, where Sri Lanka and Bangladesh engaged in the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup, which was scheduled in India.
It was a game played at the Arun Jaitly Stadium in Delhi where Sri Lanka's Angelo Mathews, after being late on getting to the crease because his helmet wasn't good enough, went back and got a new one, following which the Bangladesh side appealed, and Mathews was adjudged 'timed out', following which he had to walk back without even getting to face a single delivery. His response was furious and offered the Bangladesh side a few words on his way back to the pavilion.
Following this, he didn't hold back when Bangladesh and Sri Lanka were bowling. When Mathews got the better of Shakib Al Hasan, the opposition skipper, he did an invisible 'timed-out' celebration, as the Sri Lankan great was also involved in this rivalry, as it was being transitioned into a new phase.
Later in 2024, when Bangladesh and Sri Lanka were playing in a T20I series, the Sri Lankan side, after lifting the trophy, performed the timed-out celebration, with all the players standing with the trophy, pointing towards their wrists, leaving Bangladeshi captain Najmul Hossain Shanto unimpressed.
The Renewed Rivalry
However, despite all the childish brawls and snapping back at each other, the rivalry still has failed to die down, as both these nations have often engaged in some high-intensity drama on the field.
As for the upcoming clash, the Bangladesh and Sri Lanka sides will be facing each other in the fifth match of the ongoing Asia Cup 2025. This will be played at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, September 30th. With both sides not backing down in the past seven years, expect some more action, and maybe we might see another cobra crawling in Abu Dhabi.
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