Bangladesh aim to silence doubters in Sri Lanka showdown

Bangladesh entered the Asia Cup declaring their ambition to lift the trophy. The cricketers have spoken confidently about their chances, even if the wider cricketing world remains unconvinced. Criticism has already come their way. Former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin, for example, remarked that he found little to say about Bangladesh as a team—by which he meant he did not see much potential for them to leave a mark in the tournament.

Many Bangladesh supporters voiced their displeasure on social media. The players, though, remain unfazed. "You can't stop anyone from speaking," said pacer Tanzim Hasan at Saturday's pre-match press conference in Abu Dhabi. "I have a mouth, I can say whatever I want—especially those who are not under contract. Whoever says whatever, it doesn't really matter."

Bangladesh's opening game against Hong Kong did little to silence doubters, despite the result. At the Sheikh Zayed International Stadium, hundreds of Bangladeshi supporters roared with every wicket, only to fall quiet when Hong Kong's batters found the boundary. And when Hong Kong finished their innings on 143 for 7—having scored only 94 against Afghanistan in their previous match—a flicker of concern ran through the stands.

That anxiety eased once Liton Das led the chase with a fine 59 off 39 balls, guiding Bangladesh to a seven-wicket win. His 95-run partnership with Towhid Hridoy (35* off 36) all but sealed the game, though Hridoy's laboured strike rate left questions about his form unanswered. The chase, completed in 19.1 overs, was efficient but not emphatic. Afghanistan's 94-run thrashing of the same opposition had already sent their net run rate soaring to 4.700. Bangladesh's sits at 1.001, leaving them at a disadvantage in Group B—dubbed the "Group of Death"—where Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are all battling for a place in the Super Four.

The bowling, too, left room for improvement. Taskin Ahmed struck early to remove Anshuman Rath, and Tanzim later broke a stubborn 41-run stand between Zishan Ali and Nizakat Khan. But captain Yasim Murtaza's composed innings ensured Hong Kong crossed 140, leaving Bangladesh with more to do than they might have liked.

Still, Tanzim insists the team are focused on their bigger goal: "We represent Bangladesh. We have come here with a goal. We will play our best. Now whether someone calls us a big team or a small team—honestly, we don't have time to pay attention to that."

That resolve will be tested on Sunday when Liton's side meet Sri Lanka—a fixture that carries an extra edge for fans. The two teams have shared no shortage of drama in recent years, their contests marked by tense finishes and fiery exchanges. Supporters may revel in the rivalry, but Tanzim prefers to keep emotions in check: "The fans will be emotional, they will go crazy at times—that's natural. But if I, as a professional cricketer, also become emotional, then that won't work."

For Bangladesh, the equation is clear. A win against Sri Lanka is vital—not only to strengthen their grip on qualification but also to prove they belong among the tournament's serious contenders. More than that, they must find the ruthlessness they lacked against Hong Kong. The Asia Cup is no place for half-measures.