Asalanka: Sri Lanka-Bangladesh rivalry ‘more for fans than players’
Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka has downplayed the idea of a fierce cricketing rivalry with Bangladesh ahead of their Asia Cup T20 Group B clash on Saturday.
Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka has downplayed the idea of a fierce cricketing rivalry with Bangladesh ahead of their Asia Cup T20 Group B clash on Saturday.
Bangladesh are bracing for a high-stakes showdown against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup, a fixture that has rarely been short of drama in recent years.
Bangladesh’s promising batsman Towhid Hridoy has admitted that his initial ease at the international level has faded, and he is now working hard to regain his best form.
Bangladesh captain Litton Das praised his side’s all-round display after they opened their Asia Cup 2025 campaign with a commanding seven-wicket victory over Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
Bangladesh T20I captain Litton Das climbed to second place on the country’s all-time T20I run-scorers chart during the Tigers’ opening Asia Cup 2025 fixture against Hong Kong at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
Captain Litton Das produced a match-winning knock to steer Bangladesh to a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Hong Kong in their Asia Cup opener at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
The National Cricket League (NCL) T20, introduced last year to unearth promising T20 talents, is set for its second edition. Following the success of its inaugural season, the 20-over domestic competition will return this year, starting September 14 and running until October 3.
To overcome their long-standing power-hitting deficiency, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) appointed English coach Julian Ross Wood ahead of the Asia Cup.
Bangladesh’s Taijul Islam and Mustafizur Rahman have officially requested No Objection Certificates (NOC) from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). A BCB source confirmed to Cricfrenzy that Taijul applied for permission to participate in the SA20, while Mustafiz sought clearance to play for ILT20.
Bangladesh enter the Asia Cup on the back of three straight T20I series victories against Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and the Netherlands. With Litton Das leading the side, expectations among the fans are understandably high.
Taijul Islam has been known as Bangladesh’s reliable left-arm orthodox spinner, particularly in Test cricket, where he is among the country’s top wicket-takers.
The 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup is expected to take place from February 7 to March 8, according to ESPNcricinfo, with India and Sri Lanka serving as co-hosts. A total of 20 teams will feature in the event.