Familiar foes out to battle for supremacy yet again

Just two days ago, Bangladeshi fans would've been cheering for Sri Lanka, rooting for them to win their final group-stage game and give Bangladesh a leg up into the Super 4s. Sri Lanka came through, ensuring not just Bangladesh's progression but also their own. Now, as Bangladesh face Sri Lanka, allegiances would've quickly swung back as the attention shifts towards a new chapter in this spicy rivalry.

Intriguingly, Bangladesh found themselves in this sticky situation courtesy of Sri Lanka, or rather, because of the result of their previous encounter. A top-order collapse saw Bangladesh manage just 139/5 which Sri Lanka promptly chased down in just 14.4 overs. The loss dented Bangladesh's Net Run Rate to a degree that even two big wins against Hong Kong earlier and the UAE later couldn't repair. That left them on four points and had Sri Lanka then lost to Afghanistan, a three-way tie would've ensued, with Bangladesh having the worst NRR amongst three. Fortunately for Bangladesh, that wasn't the fate that befell them.

Sri Lanka came into the tournament with several questions hanging over their form and while some were eased during their comfortable win against Bangladesh, others resurfaced after Hong Kong ran them close. Chasing a modest 150, a sudden middle-order collapse left them in a precarious position before they were rescued by a late blitz from Wanindu Hasaranga. While their latest win against Afghanistan was comprehensive, a middle-order prone to fragility was untested.

On paper, there's little to separate these sides. They've faced each other eight times since 2024 and have split those with four wins each. This contest, therefore, presents an opportunity to claim an early lead in the Super 4s along with bragging rights.

When: Sep 20, 2025, at 06:30 PM LOCAL / 8:00 PM IST

Where: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

What to expect: The pitches in Dubai have been expectedly slow and conducive to spinners. That's reflected in the fact that spinners have bowled 53.6% of the overs in this competition so far, the second-highest in any multi-team T20 tournament in the UAE.

Head to head: These two sides have faced each other eight times in T20Is since 2024 and they've won four each.

Team News

Sri Lanka

Injuries/Availability: Dunith Wellalage may be unavailable for selection following a bereavement in his family

Tactics and matchups: Sri Lanka have bowled superbly in the PowerPlay and statistics suggest the same. They have the best average and are the only bowling unit to have gone at under run-a-ball in this phase amongst the eight teams. Their key battle will be against Litton Das, who has been key to Bangladesh's success with the bat.

Probable XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka (c), Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara

Bangladesh

Injuries/Availability: No injury concerns reported

Tactics and matchups: Sri Lanka have been heavily reliant on their top-order for scoring runs and that is something Bangladesh will look to exploit. Sri Lanka's batting average of 19.02 for No.3-7, ranks 12th (last) among the full-member teams.

Probable XI: Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Litton Das (c/wk), Saif Hassan, Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali, Shamim Hossain, Nurul Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed

Did you know?

• Litton Das is on the verge of becoming the leading run-scorer for Bangladesh in T20Is (2533 currently, only behind Shakib's 2551)

• Bangladesh have conceded 38 extras in the tournament so far - the most amongst the eight teams

Who said what?

"The good thing is we can just focus on what we're doing, and I'm sure Sri Lanka will do the same because we know each other fairly well. It's a good contest. Making the final four is a big effort," - Shaun Tait, Bangladesh bowling coach