**Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh: Asia Cup 2025 Super Four Opener Preview**
*By Rajdeep Saha | Sep 19, 2025 | 06:15 pm IST*
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Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are set to face off in the opening match of the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup 2025. The match will take place at the Dubai International Stadium, starting at 8:00 pm IST.
### Team Form
#### Sri Lanka on a Winning Spree
Led by Charith Asalanka, Sri Lanka have been dominant in the Asia Cup so far, winning all three of their group matches. This includes a convincing victory over Bangladesh in their earlier group-stage encounter. Their confidence received a further boost when Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis successfully chased down a 170-run target against Afghanistan in their last match.
This win also eased the pressure on opener Pathum Nissanka, who has been in good form but has needed support from his teammates throughout the tournament.
#### Bangladesh Looking for Redemption
Bangladesh, on the other hand, enter this crucial Super Four fixture aiming to bounce back after some disappointing performances. The team has already made one change—Parvez Hossain has been replaced by Tanzid Hasan. Hasan impressed in his debut match with a quick-fire 50, signaling a potential shift in Bangladesh’s powerplay approach.
However, the team’s bowling balance remains a concern that they must address if they hope to challenge Sri Lanka’s momentum.
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### Player Spotlight
**Mustafizur Rahman** will be a key bowler for Bangladesh. He took three wickets against Afghanistan in his last match but was expensive during the earlier group-stage clash against Sri Lanka.
For Sri Lanka, **Kusal Mendis** is a player to watch after his unbeaten 74 helped seal a six-wicket victory over Afghanistan. Mendis is already Sri Lanka’s second-highest run-scorer against Bangladesh across formats, with four centuries to his name.
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### Match Conditions
The game will be played at the Dubai International Stadium, where batsmen have maintained a strike rate of 109.26 in this Asia Cup, according to ESPNcricinfo. The slow pitches in Dubai typically favor spinners, a factor likely to influence team strategies.
The weather forecast predicts a typically hot evening, setting the stage for an exciting and competitive clash between the two teams.
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### Head-to-Head and Dubai Records
In 21 previous encounters, Sri Lanka have the upper hand with 13 wins, while Bangladesh have won 8 matches.
At the Dubai International Cricket Stadium:
– Bangladesh have played 4 T20Is here, with 2 wins and 2 losses.
– Sri Lanka have appeared in 9 T20Is, winning 6 and losing 3.
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### Probable Playing XIs
**Bangladesh probable XI:**
Tanzid Hasan, Saif Hassan, Litton Das (c & wk), Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Nurul Hasan, Jaker Ali, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman.
**Sri Lanka probable XI:**
Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka (c), Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara.
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### Stats: Top Performers of 2025
– **Bangladesh:**
– Litton Das leads as the highest run-scorer among Full Member sides in T20Is this year, amassing 513 runs at an average of 32.06.
– Tanzid Hasan follows with 459 runs from 16 matches.
– Taskin Ahmed is the top wicket-taker with 16 wickets in 7 matches.
– **Sri Lanka:**
– Pathum Nissanka is Sri Lanka’s leading run-scorer in 2025, with 354 runs from 10 matches.
– Dushmantha Chameera leads their bowling attack with 12 wickets in 6 matches.
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As the Super Four battle kicks off, both teams will be eager to assert their dominance and take an early step towards the Asia Cup trophy. Fans can look forward to an electrifying contest under the lights in Dubai.
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