ISLAMABAD: Bangladesh and Sri Lanka face each other Saturday evening in a Group B match of the 2025 Asia Cup T20 tournament at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
The game is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. local time.
Bangladesh beat Hong Kong by 7 wickets in their first match. The Tigers successfully chased 144 runs in just under 18 overs. Captain Litton Das scored an unbeaten 59 runs, with the team’s bowlers working hard to keep the opponent’s run rate low.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka, six-time Asia Cup champions and the defending titleholders from 2022, will play their first match of the tournament tonight. After concluding a three-match series against Zimbabwe earlier this month with a 2-1 win, the team hopes to carry that success into Asia Cup conditions.
Wanindu Hasaranga came back from a hamstring injury to lead the spin attack with Maheesh Theekshana. The batting order features Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, and Kusal Perera, while the Sri Lankan squad is also expected to include all-rounders Dasun Shanaka and Kamindu Mendis.
The pitch at Sheikh Zayed Stadium is traditionally slow and low, initially favouring batsmen who play cautiously. Spin bowlers are likely to find an edge on the spin-friendly pitch.
Head-to-head, Sri Lanka lead the T20I record against Bangladesh with 12 wins to 8 in 20 prior matches. However, Bangladesh has shown progress in recent years, winning a home series against Sri Lanka earlier this year.
The match is significant since only two teams from this so-called “Group of Death” will advance to the Top Four. Group B includes Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong.
