Bangladesh Thrash Sri Lanka 4-0 to Set Up SAFF Semi-Final Against Pakistan
Bangladesh thrashed Sri Lanka 4-0 at the National Stadium in Dhaka on Wednesday, 11 November 2026, to finish top of Group A at the SAFF Championship 2026 — and the result sets up the semi-final Pakistan have been waiting for. The hosts will face Pakistan in the second semi-final on Saturday, 14 November, at 8:30pm…
Bangladesh thrashed Sri Lanka 4-0 at the National Stadium in Dhaka on Wednesday, 11 November 2026, to finish top of Group A at the SAFF Championship 2026 — and the result sets up the semi-final Pakistan have been waiting for. The hosts will face Pakistan in the second semi-final on Saturday, 14 November, at 8:30pm Dhaka time (7:30pm PKT), while India take on Bhutan in the first semi-final earlier the same day.
Captain Hamza Choudhury was among the scorers as Bangladesh produced a commanding performance in their final group game, scoring twice in each half and keeping a clean sheet for the second match in a row. Sri Lanka, who needed at least a point to reach the last four, were eliminated — and their defeat sent Bhutan through as Group A runners-up on goal difference.
Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka at a Glance
| Detail | What Is Confirmed |
|---|---|
| Result | Bangladesh 4-0 Sri Lanka, SAFF Championship 2026, Group A |
| Venue | National Stadium, Dhaka, Bangladesh |
| Date | Wednesday, 11 November 2026 |
| Goalscorers | Shamit Shome (8′), Hamza Choudhury (44′), Farhaan Ali Wahid (53′), Rakib Hossain (87′) |
| Group A winners | Bangladesh — 6 points from 2 matches, 5 goals scored, none conceded |
| Group A runners-up | Bhutan — through on superior goal difference |
| Eliminated | Sri Lanka — 1 point from 2 matches (drew 2-2 with Bhutan) |
| Semi-finals | Saturday, 14 November 2026, National Stadium, Dhaka |
| Final | Tuesday, 17 November 2026, National Stadium, Dhaka |
How Bangladesh Won It
The breakthrough came early. Shamit Shome opened the scoring in the eighth minute, capitalising on a poor clearance by Sri Lanka goalkeeper Sujan Perera to find the net. Captain Hamza Choudhury doubled the lead just before half-time, beating a defender on the left and unleashing a powerful shot that bounced off the goalkeeper’s knee and into the roof of the net.
Bangladesh struck twice more after the break to complete the rout. Farhaan Ali Wahid made it 3-0 in the 53rd minute with a stunning solo goal, dribbling past three Sri Lankan defenders before finding the back of the net. Rakib Hossain completed the scoring in the 87th minute with another fine finish, and Bangladesh signed off their group campaign with an unbeaten record and not a single goal conceded.
The hosts had already secured their semi-final place before kick-off, having beaten Bhutan 1-0 in their opener. But the four-goal win carried them to the top of the group with six points, five goals scored and none conceded — the most convincing group-stage record of the tournament so far.
What the Result Means for Pakistan
Pakistan now know their semi-final opponents: hosts Bangladesh, in front of a home crowd at the National Stadium in Dhaka on Saturday, 14 November, at 8:30pm Dhaka time (7:30pm PKT). It is a much tougher draw than the alternative — Pakistan will face the group winners rather than the runners-up — but it is also the biggest stage of the tournament so far for the Green Shirts.
Pakistan reached the semi-finals as Group B runners-up with three points, behind defending champions India, who won the group with six points. It is Pakistan’s first appearance in the SAFF Championship semi-finals since 2018, when they lost 3-1 to India in Dhaka. Our report on India’s 1-0 win over Maldives that confirmed Pakistan’s place in the last four has the full Group B picture, and our SAFF hub on Pakistan reaching the semi-final will be updated with the confirmed pairings.
India, as Group B winners, face Bhutan in the first semi-final on Saturday. The winners of the two semi-finals meet in the final on Tuesday, 17 November. India are the defending champions, chasing a record-extending 10th SAFF Championship title.
Group A Final Standings
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangladesh | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Bhutan | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Sri Lanka | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Bhutan finished ahead of Sri Lanka on goal difference: both teams ended on one point, but Bhutan’s defeat to Bangladesh was by a single goal (1-0) while Sri Lanka lost 4-0. Sri Lanka’s only point came from their 2-2 draw with Bhutan in the group opener. Bangladesh beat Bhutan 1-0 in their first game before Wednesday’s 4-0 win.
Bangladesh’s Perfect Group Stage
Bangladesh’s group-stage record is the best in the tournament so far. Two wins from two matches, five goals scored and none conceded — and the hosts did it without needing their strongest XI at full stretch, having already secured the semi-final place before Wednesday’s game. The 1-0 win over Bhutan in the opener was workmanlike; the 4-0 win over Sri Lanka was a statement.
The goals were spread across the team: a midfielder in Shome, the captain in Hamza Choudhury, a winger in Farhaan Ali Wahid and a forward in Rakib Hossain. That spread matters for Saturday — Pakistan cannot simply mark one man out of the game. Bangladesh also carry the momentum of a home crowd that has watched them win twice without conceding, and the National Stadium will be full and loud for the semi-final.
The Road Ahead: Semi-Finals and Final
Both semi-finals are played on Saturday, 14 November, at the National Stadium in Dhaka. India meet Bhutan in the first semi-final, and Bangladesh face Pakistan in the second at 8:30pm Dhaka time (7:30pm PKT). The winners meet in the final on Tuesday, 17 November.
For Pakistan, the task is clear: beat the hosts in Dhaka to reach a first SAFF final in the modern era — and a possible rematch with India, eight years after the 2018 semi-final defeat in the same city. Our report on Pakistan’s 3-0 win over Maldives covers the game that sealed the Green Shirts’ place in the last four.
We will update this page with the confirmed kick-off times and team news once the SAFF announces them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka in the SAFF Championship 2026?
Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka 4-0 at the National Stadium in Dhaka on Wednesday, 11 November 2026. Shamit Shome (8′), Hamza Choudhury (44′), Farhaan Ali Wahid (53′) and Rakib Hossain (87′) scored the goals.
Who will Pakistan play in the SAFF Championship semi-final?
Pakistan will play hosts Bangladesh in the second semi-final on Saturday, 14 November 2026, at 8:30pm Dhaka time (7:30pm PKT) at the National Stadium in Dhaka. Bangladesh topped Group A with six points.
Who won SAFF Championship Group A?
Bangladesh won Group A with six points from two matches, scoring five goals and conceding none. Bhutan finished second on goal difference, ahead of Sri Lanka, who were eliminated.
Who will India play in the SAFF semi-final?
India, as Group B winners, will play Bhutan in the first semi-final on Saturday, 14 November 2026, at the National Stadium in Dhaka.
When is the SAFF Championship 2026 final?
The final is scheduled for Tuesday, 17 November 2026, at the National Stadium in Dhaka. India are the defending champions, chasing a record-extending 10th title.
How did Pakistan qualify for the SAFF semi-finals?
Pakistan finished second in Group B with three points from two matches — a 3-2 loss to India in the opener on 5 November and a 3-0 win over Maldives on 8 November. It is Pakistan’s first SAFF semi-final appearance since 2018.
