Bangladesh made a strategic bowling change for their crucial Asia Cup 2025 encounter against Sri Lanka on Friday evening at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The Tigers have replaced pace spearhead Taskin Ahmed with left-arm seamer Shoriful Islam as they look to build momentum in Group B following their opening victory over Hong Kong.
Reason behind Taskin Ahmed’s absence
Bangladesh captain Litton Das confirmed the solitary change during the toss ceremony explaining that Taskin was omitted despite taking two wickets in their previous match. The right-arm pacer’s expensive bowling figures against Hong Kong prompted the team management to make this adjustment. Taskin delivered two crucial wickets but conceded 38 runs in his four-over spell at an economy rate of 9.50 runs per over. His performance included removing opener Anshuman Rath early in the powerplay and cleaning up Aizaz Khan in the death overs but the cost-per-wicket ratio concerned the coaching staff.
The bowling unit’s overall effectiveness against Hong Kong raised questions despite Bangladesh’s comfortable seven-wicket victory with 14 balls to spare. While Tanzim Hasan Sakib impressed with figures of 2-21 and Rishad Hossain claimed 2-31 Taskin’s expensive spell stood out as the area requiring attention. Bangladesh restricted Hong Kong to 143-7 but acknowledged that such economy rates could prove costly against stronger opposition like Sri Lanka.
“Don’t mind batting first, looks like a good wicket. We played good cricket in the first game, we have to improve in certain areas. To win a game you got to get everything right. Taskin is not playing and Shoriful is in,” Das stated during the toss.
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Playing XI of both teams
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka (c), Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara
Bangladesh: Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Litton Das (wk/c), Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali, Shamim Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman
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