Asia Cup 2025: 3 Players to watch out for in Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, Match 5

In match five of the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 competition, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will square off. The Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi will host the Group B game on September 13, 2025. This will be Sri Lanka's first game, and Bangladesh just finished a match against Hong Kong.

Bangladesh has not yet won a championship, despite making it to the Asia Cup tournament finals twice, in 2012 and 2016. On the other hand, Sri Lanka has won six Asia Cups, including the 2022 tournament, which was played in the T20 format in the United Arab Emirates.

Here are the 3 players to watch out for in Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, Match 5 of the Asia Cup 2025:

1. Mustafizur Rahman

The best left-arm pacer Bangladesh has produced in limited overs is Mustafizur Rahman. He made an immediate impact on his ODI debut against India in 2015, taking 11 wickets in his two matches, and has only grown from there. He has till now played 113 T20Is, taking 142 wickets with a best of 6/10 and an economy of 7.30.

Rahman is known for his rubbery wrist, which he uses to both give the ball pace and take the pace off. He is the master of the slower ball and the yorker and has made a name for himself in bowling in death overs. Rahman will be crucial for Bangladesh’s success in this Asia Cup 2025 tournament, given how much burden of bowling he carries.

2. Wanindu Hasaranga

Wanindu Hasaranga is one of the best leg-spinners in the world of T20I cricket today. Having made his Sri Lanka debut in 2017, Hasaranga stood out due to his fastish leg-spin and ability to bowl a variation of leg-spin and googlies at a good speed. He has 131 wickets in 79 T20Is with a best of 4/9 and an economy of 6.98.

Hasaranga has led the Sri Lanka spin bowling department for almost a decade now. He has also captained Sri Lanka in T20Is and has formed a good spin duo with Maheesh Theekshana. Hasaranga mostly bowls in middle overs and at death, and his ability to bowl variations makes him stand out.

3. Kusal Perera

Having made his Sri Lanka debut way back in 2013, Kusal Perera is one of the most experienced players in this squad. Perera, a keeper-opener, has played 82 T20Is, scoring 2130 runs with 15 fifties and one ton. His strike rate is 133.37, and he averages 27.66.

Known for batting in the mold of the great Sanath Jayasuriya, Kusal Mendis seems to thrive against pacers. He takes the attack to the opposition bowlers but is known to struggle against quality spin. He had played a lot in the UAE, and despite Bangladesh possessing some of the best spinners, they will see Kusal as a threat to them.

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