Bronze slips away as Tigers suffer 63-run defeat to Sri Lanka

Bangladesh cricketers will return home empty-handed from the Asian Games for the first time after suffering a 63-run defeat to a second-string Sri Lanka in the Bronze-deciding third-place playoff in Nisshin today.

The Tigers, who last won gold at the 2010 Asian Games, saw their hopes of repeating that feat crushed when they suffered a six-wicket defeat to Pakistan in the semifinal last Thursday.

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Another underwhelming batting display today then saw them miss out on a medal, as the Litton Das-led side were bowled out for 102 in 17.3 overs after Sri Lanka posted 165 for nine in 20 overs at Korogi Sports Park.

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No gold this time either as Pakistan knock out Tigers

Chasing a competitive target, Bangladesh lost four wickets for just 18 runs in 3.5 overs, with all three of their top-order batters -- openers Saif Hassan and Tanzid Tamim, and skipper Litton -- failing to open their accounts.

Bangladesh were unable to recover from the early collapse, as Parvez Hossain Emon (20 off 26) and Yasir Ali (21 off 16) could only limit the damage, while left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed top-scored with 26 off 28 to help the Tigers get past the 100-run mark.

Nuwan Thushara, Tharindu Ratnayake, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth and Wanuja Sahan took two wickets each for Sri Lanka. Ratnayake had earlier contributed 65 off 32 deliveries to help Sahan Arachchige-led Sri Lanka post a competitive total.