DHAKA, Sept 13, 2025 (BSS) - In a bid to extend their winning streak in the Asia Cup, Bangladesh take on Sri Lanka in their second group match at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi tonight.

The match starts at 8.30 PM (Bangladesh Time) and will be aired live on T Sports and Nagorik TV.

Bangladesh has already made a winning start to the tournament, thrashing Hong Kong by seven wickets in the first match.

Sri Lanka, however, will kick-start their Asia Cup campaign with this match tonight.

Overcoming the Sri Lanka challenge is imperative for Bangladesh to make a giant stride toward the Super 4 phase. A defeat will leave their aspiration in limbo.

Standing on that simple equation, Bangladesh stayed confident, largely due to their recent T20 success. They won the past three series, including one against Sri Lanka, in the Lankan den.

"We have played against Sri Lanka recently and so we knew well about their strength and weaknesses," said Bangladesh pacer Tanzim Hasan Sakib.

"It's an advantage for us. Moreover, we beat them in that series, which is a huge confidence booster. But that indeed mattered little considering it's now past. We know Sri Lanka are a very strong T20 team and so we have to give our best."

Despite losing the three-match series by 2-1, Sri Lanka had the upper hand over Bangladesh in the overall record, winning 12 and losing eight in 20 matches.

In the Asia Cup, the two sides met 17 times, with Sri Lanka winning 14 and losing just three. But if only the Asia Cup T20 version is considered, the result is 1-1.

In the first Asia Cup T20 in 2016, Bangladesh won by 23 runs. Sri Lanka took the revenge, beating Bangladesh by two wickets in 2022 T20 format of Asia Cup in which they eventually became champions.

The last Asia Cup, held in 2023 was an ODI format in which India became champions, beating Sri Lanka in the final.

Sri Lanka, therefore, will start this Asia Cup T20 as defending champions.

Bangladesh are unlikely to tinker with the playing XI for the second match.

Bangladesh: Liton Das (c), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Parvez Hossain Emon, Saif Hassan, Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali Anik, Shamim Patwari, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Saifuddine3

Sri Lanka: Charith Asalanka (c), 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, Janith Liyanage.