Bangladesh face a crucial Group B clash against six-time champions Sri Lanka in the
Asia Cup at Abu Dhabi on Friday, following their seven-wicket victory over Hong Kong. The match could be decisive in determining which teams advance from the group, with both sides needing not just wins but substantial margins to maintain their qualification hopes due to Afghanistan's superior net run rate.
Bangladesh began their Asia Cup campaign with a steady performance as captain Litton Das scored 59 to guide them to victory over Hong Kong on Wednesday.
The win revealed some concerns in Bangladesh's bowling department, with Taskin Ahmed and Rishad Hossain conceding runs despite taking wickets.
Sri Lanka, under Charith Asalanka's leadership, has assembled a strong team combining solid top-order batting with middle-order power and a spin attack well-suited for UAE conditions.
The Sri Lankan batting lineup features Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, and Kusal Perera at the top, with Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka, and Kamindu Mendis providing depth and finishing capabilities.
The team has strengthened its squad by recalling Janith Liyanage after three years, who recently scored an unbeaten 70 in Zimbabwe. He adds to their seam-bowling all-rounder options alongside Shanaka and Chamika Karunaratne.
Star spinner Wanindu Hasaranga's return from a hamstring injury further bolsters Sri Lanka's bowling attack, which includes Maheesh Theekshana and Dunith Wellalage, along with pace variation from Matheesha Pathirana.
Bangladesh will rely on Litton and Hridoy's batting form while hoping to utilize Mustafizur Rahman more effectively with the new ball.
With Afghanistan leading the group with a net run rate of 4.700 compared to Bangladesh's 1.001, the outcome of Friday's match becomes crucial as only two teams can advance.
"We could have finished the game earlier but we stuck to the demand of the situation. Our mentality is to always win," Hridoy said after the match, defending Bangladesh's cautious chase.
"We want to beat Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, so run-rate isn't what we are worried about at this stage. We don't want to complicate matters so early in the tournament," he added.
"The ball was gripping. We are not used to playing on this type of wicket but we adapted well," Hridoy commented on the challenging batting conditions.
Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh head-to-headOverall: Played 108, Bangladesh won 22, Sri Lanka won 78, 6 draws and 2 no results
In T20Is: Played 20, Bangladesh won 8, Sri Lanka won 12
In Asia Cup: Played 17, Bangladesh won 3, Sri Lanka won 14
Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh live coverageDate: September 13, 2025
Time: 6:30pm local (8pm IST/2:30pm GMT)
Venue: Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
TV channel: Sony Sports Network
Live Streaming: SonyLiv (app and website) in India
Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh squads Bangladesh: Litton Das (c), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Saif Hassan, Tawhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali Anik, Shamim Hossain, Quazi Nurul Hasan Sohan, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Shaif Uddin.
Sri Lanka: Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Dasun Shanaka, Janith Liyanage, Chamika Karunaratne, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana.
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