‘’Excessive heat’’ – Google used those two words to describe Abu Dhabi’s weather on Friday. Safe to say, it’s not an ideal condition for a hit-out, especially when you have already won a match comprehensively against Hong Kong in the first match of this year’s Asia Cup. The Bangladesh team also opted not to go out for a practice session ahead of their second group-stage clash against a familiar opponent in Sri Lanka on Saturday at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium.              

Apart from a spinners’ meeting conducted by spin bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed at the team hotel and going out for the Jummah prayer – players mostly had the day to themselves and rested up for the big showdown on Saturday evening.

With the win in the first outing and a recent T20 series win against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh are set up for a confident display. Prior knowledge of Abu Dhabi’s conditions is also expected to help the Litton Das-led team, whereas Sri Lanka – fresh from a hectic Zimbabwe tour – need to acclimatize quickly since this will be their first game of the Asia Cup.

Tanzim Hasan Sakib, the Bangladesh pacer, shared his thoughts ahead of Saturday’s match. ‘’It’s very straightforward. Our approach will be to go for the win. Last time we won the T20 series in Sri Lanka, which gives us confidence. We will step onto the field looking for victory,’’ he told the media.

‘’We have played a lot of games against Sri Lanka. Before the Asia Cup, we played a whole series with them. We know each and every player, and we plan accordingly. They have some very good players, and we will try to stop them by playing our best cricket,’’ he added.

‘’We will go in with extra confidence against Sri Lanka. We beat them in the ODI World Cup, and we also won the last series. That gives us a big boost. Since we’ve played so many matches against them, we know every player well. We know about their weaknesses. So, we will go in well prepared,’’ he further added.

Bangladesh also share a unique rivalry with the Sri Lankans, dating back to the famous Nidahas Trophy in 2018, which was fueled further in recent times with the 2023 ODI World Cup’s ‘time-out’ incident. Tanzim, however, downplayed the whole rivalry narrative and highlighted the importance of tournament play.

‘’Rivalries will always be there. But in a tournament, no matter which team you play against, winning is the main thing. Be it Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, or Pakistan, we will enter the field to win. For me, rivalries are not the key issue; winning matches is what’s important. And winning the last series against Sri Lanka gives us a lot of confidence. When you’ve beaten a team before, it definitely gives you a boost on the field,’’ he explained.

He also added that the Abu Dhabi pitch will test quick bowlers, which might suit Bangladesh more as they are slightly heavier on the pace-bowling side compared to Sri Lanka. ‘’The pitch is very good. I really enjoyed bowling there; it looks like a very sporting wicket. If you hit the surface hard, the ball moves, and the batters have to play according to the balls. I really enjoyed it,’’ he said.

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