Bengali 
English 
By late afternoon in Dhaka, tea stalls are already buzzing. Radios crackle with updates, and shopkeepers glance at television screens squeezed between shelves of goods. The Asia Cup match between বাংলাদেশ এবং শ্রীলঙ্কা has that pull. It is not just another fixture; it feels like an evening that everyone has marked.
Both nations know this clash can decide the path into the Super Four. For Bangladesh, this is a chance to show depth with a slightly new-look squad. For Sri Lanka, it is about proving that experience still matters in high-pressure games.
Match Details — Date, Venue & Toss Time
Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi is the stage tonight. The ground has a dry surface and an outfield that slows the ball down. Bowlers often feel at home here, and batters need patience to work gaps. Under floodlights, the stadium carries a sharp brightness, almost blinding for fielders when catches go high into the night sky.
The toss will be held at 7:30 PM IST, with the first ball bowled at 8:00 PM IST. For Bangladesh viewers, that translates to 8:30 PM BST, a comfortable prime-time slot. The timing matters because late in the evening dew can creep across the outfield, making the ball slippery and giving chasing sides a small advantage. Captains will weigh this before making their decision.
Bangladesh Squads — Full List & Key Players
The Bangladesh Cricket Board handed the captaincy to Litton Das for this campaign, a move that signals trust in his calm approach. Alongside him, Nurul Hasan Sohan returns after years away, adding another option behind the stumps.
The squad has a mix of young hitters and seasoned bowlers who know how to squeeze runs in crunch moments. There is no Mehidy Hasan Miraz this time, which has already sparked debates among fans.
Bangladesh squad:
- Litton Das (captain, wicketkeeper)
- তানজিদ হাসান
- Parvez Hossain Emon
- Saif Hassan
- তৌহিদ হৃদয়
- Jaker Ali Anik
- Shamim Hossain
- Quazi Nurul Hasan Sohan
- Shak Mahedi Hasan
- রিশাদ হোসেন
- Nasum Ahmed
- মুস্তাফিজুর রহমান
- তানজিম হাসান সাকিব
- তাসকিন আহমেদ
- Shoriful Islam
- Mohammad Saifuddin
The pace trio of Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, and Shoriful Islam gives Bangladesh a weapon on pitches that grip. The batting, however, still leans heavily on Litton and Towhid Hridoy to provide steady runs before the finishers swing freely.
Sri Lanka Squads — Full List & Key Players
Sri Lanka enter the game with a lineup brimming with spin options. Charith Asalanka wears the captain’s badge, stepping into a role that demands more than just tactical decisions. Wanindu Hasaranga is back, though managing fitness concerns. When he bowls in the middle overs, silence often spreads through batting lineups, his variations hard to pick.
Sri Lanka squad:
- Charith Asalanka (captain)
- Pathum Nissanka
- Kusal Mendis
- Kusal Perera
- Nuwanidu Fernando
- Kamindu Mendis
- Kamil Mishara
- Dasun Shanaka
- Wanindu Hasaranga
- Dunith Wellalage
- Chamika Karunaratne
- Maheesh Theekshana
- Dushmantha Chameera
- Binura Fernando
- Nuwan Thushara
- Matheesha Pathirana
The attack looks built for Abu Dhabi. Theekshana’s variations pair with Hasaranga’s wrist spin, tightening the squeeze on opposition batters. Pathirana brings late-over pace with dipping yorkers. At the top, Pathum Nissanka’s steady hand balances Kusal Mendis’ ability to go hard early.
Where to Watch in Bangladesh?
Fans across Bangladesh can tune in through Gazi TV, which holds broadcast rights. Those who prefer digital viewing can log into Rabbithole or Toffee platforms, which will stream the action live. These evenings often transform into collective rituals. Small restaurants set up projectors, while in neighborhoods, one home often becomes the gathering point. Children squeeze onto stools, older fans pace nervously, and cheers spill out into the streets when wickets fall.
Predictions or What to Expect?
The game has the feel of a tug-of-war. Bangladesh lean on their fast bowlers to strike with the new ball, while Sri Lanka aim to slow things down with spin. The outcome may rest on who controls the middle overs. If Towhid Hridoy or Parvez Hossain finds rhythm early, Bangladesh could build a total that tests even Sri Lanka’s experienced chasers. On the other side, if Hasaranga and Theekshana settle into long, frugal spells, Sri Lanka may tilt the balance.
Conditions point to a contest where mistakes will be costly. Fielders need safe hands under bright lights, and bowlers must hold their nerve when batters attack. Expect a few tense stares, maybe even heated words, as both sides know the importance of every delivery. By the time the final overs roll in, this clash may not just be about runs and wickets but about who manages the pressure better.
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