Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka: the Naagin Derby story and match-day preparation

This contest carries none of the historical or political weight of a match against India or Pakistan, yet whenever Bangladesh play Sri Lanka the heat spreads from the stands to Facebook. It began with a celebration gesture, and a rare dismissal was added later. This page summarises that history, checked against public cricket sources, along with a few habits for following match day with a cool head. There are no predictions. Information updated: 1 October 2026.

When did Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka begin, and what was it like early on?

The two sides first met in an ODI at the 1986 Asia Cup in Sri Lanka, and Sri Lanka won. For roughly the next fifteen years they met mostly at the Asia Cup. Their first Test meeting came in 2001.

For a long time it was one-sided. Sri Lanka were World Cup winners, while Bangladesh were just finding their feet in international cricket. Bangladesh's first ODI win over Sri Lanka came in 2006, and their first Test win in March 2017 in Colombo. Bangladesh also beat Sri Lanka at the 2012 and 2016 Asia Cups. After those wins the matches started to become a genuine contest.

The cricket links between the two countries run deep as well. Several former Sri Lankan cricketers have worked on Bangladesh's coaching staff; Chandika Hathurusingha, who had two spells as Bangladesh head coach, is the most familiar name. And Sri Lankan players have played in Bangladesh's domestic league since the first BPL season. There is more on that league in the BPL guide.

Where did the name "Naagin Derby" come from?

In February 2018, on Sri Lanka's tour of Bangladesh, left-arm spinner Nazmul Islam Apu took a wicket on his T20I debut and celebrated with his trademark "naagin" (snake) gesture. In the second match of the series, Sri Lanka's Danushka Gunathilaka took the last wicket and did the same gesture towards Nazmul, who was standing at the non-striker's end.

A few weeks later, in March 2018, Sri Lanka hosted the three-team Nidahas Trophy with India. After a big successful chase in the first meeting, Mushfiqur Rahim celebrated with the naagin gesture. The second match between the sides, in Colombo on 16 March, became a virtual semi-final. A last-over bouncer that was not called wide led to a fierce argument on the field; Mahmudullah's late hitting then won it for Bangladesh and took them to the final. The whole team's naagin celebration, a broken dressing-room glass door and fines for two players under the code of conduct: from that night the contest became known as the "Naagin Derby".

At the 2022 Asia Cup in Dubai, Sri Lanka won another must-win match, and this time the naagin celebration came from their side.

Why is the timed-out incident so widely discussed?

At the 2023 ODI World Cup, in the November match in Delhi, Sri Lanka's Angelo Mathews came to the crease, found a problem with his helmet strap and asked for a new helmet. Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan appealed for "timed out". After discussion the umpires gave Mathews out, making him the first batter dismissed this way in international cricket.

The decision was within the laws, but it sparked debate across the cricket world about sportsmanship. Later, bowling, Mathews dismissed Shakib and pointed at his wrist, the gesture of checking a watch. That "timed out" gesture then joined the naagin dance as a new symbol of the rivalry.

How have the recent meetings gone?

• 2024, in Bangladesh: Sri Lanka won the T20I series, Bangladesh won the ODI series, and Sri Lanka also won the Test series. Timed-out and helmet gestures appeared in celebrations from both sides.
• 2024 T20 World Cup: in a group match in the United States, Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka at a T20 World Cup for the first time.
• 2025, in Sri Lanka: on the June-July tour Sri Lanka won the Test and ODI series, and Bangladesh won the T20I series.
• Asia Cup, September 2025: Sri Lanka won the group match in Abu Dhabi; Bangladesh won the Super Four match in Dubai.

One thing worth noting: in white-ball cricket, especially T20s, the contest has become much more even since 2018. In Tests, though, Sri Lanka's record is still far ahead, and Bangladesh's Test wins can still be counted on one hand. At ICC events and the Asia Cup this match has often become a knockout-style game, which adds to the heat. So going into any match with the idea that "this team always wins" is a mistake; the picture changes with format, ground and team form.

In 2026 the two countries' women's teams and "A" teams played series in Bangladesh. Take the date, venue and time of the next men's meeting only from the two boards or the tournament organisers; this page does not give fixtures. For the latest news see the Bangladesh cricket updates.

How do you follow match day responsibly?

A heated rivalry means more emotion, and more emotion means more chance of a bad decision. A few simple habits:

1. Check the XI, the toss and the weather from official or reliable news sources, not rumours.
2. Keep love for your country separate from money decisions. Do not go beyond your limit hoping your team will win.
3. Fix today's budget before the toss; no new deposits mid-match.
4. Do not let social media excitement or arguments with rival fans affect your decisions.
5. If rain is forecast, read the lobby's rules on shortened or abandoned matches beforehand.

More ways to keep your limits are on the responsible play page. If the match is not listed in the lobby, the market has not opened yet; do not go anywhere else on the word of an agent or an unknown link.

View the SHUVO777 lobby's cricket section

Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka: questions and answers

This site is an unofficial information guide to SHUVO777, not the official site. The history is summarised from public cricket sources; there are no predictions, guarantees or promo codes. 18+.