In cricket, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka contested a two-match Test series and a three-match ODI series in June and July 2025. The first Test in Galle ended in a draw, with Bangladesh setting Sri Lanka a target of 296 runs on the final day, thanks to two centuries by Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto. In the second Test in Colombo, Sri Lanka dominated, winning by an innings and 78 runs to clinch the series 1-0. Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka was the standout performer, scoring centuries in both innings of the first Test and a commanding 158 in the second Test, earning Player of the Match and Player of the Series honors. Sri Lanka's spinners, including Wanindu Hasaranga, played a key role in their victory. In the ODI series, Bangladesh secured their first-ever ODI win in Colombo by defeating Sri Lanka by 16 runs in the second ODI, leveling the series 1-1. Tanvir Islam took a maiden five-wicket haul to help Bangladesh in this victory, which also lifted them one spot in the ODI rankings to ninth position. In women's football, Bangladesh made history by qualifying for the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 for the first time. They achieved this by winning all their Group C qualifiers, including a 7-0 victory over Bahrain, a 2-1 win against Myanmar, and a 7-0 win over Turkmenistan. The Bangladesh women's team, ranked 128th by FIFA, defeated higher-ranked opponents Bahrain (ranked 92) and Myanmar (ranked 55), with notable performances from forward Tohura Khatun and 21-year-old Ritu Porna Chakma, who scored two goals against Myanmar. This qualification marks a milestone for Bangladeshi women's football and opens opportunities for the team to aim for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup and the 2028 Olympics. Meanwhile, India also qualified for the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 after defeating host Thailand 2-1 in Chiang Mai, securing top position in Group B with four wins out of four. Sangita Basfore scored a brace in the decisive match, marking India's first qualification for the continental cup through the qualifiers route since 2004.