Bangladesh fast bowler Tanzim Hasan Sakib says his team will take confidence from their recent success against Sri Lanka as they prepare for Saturday’s Asia Cup clash in Abu Dhabi.
Bangladesh opened their campaign with a routine seven-wicket win over Hong Kong, and victory against Sri Lanka would put them in strong position to qualify for the Super Four from Group B.
The two sides have met frequently in recent months, with Bangladesh winning three of their last five meetings, including a 2-1 series triumph in Colombo in July.
“It’s very straightforward. Our approach will be to go for the win,” Tanzim told reporters on Friday. “We have played a lot of games against Sri Lanka. We know their players well and we plan accordingly. They have some very good cricketers, but we will try to stop them by playing our best cricket.”
The rivalry between the two teams has produced heated moments in the past, but Tanzim insisted he was not focused on that aspect.
“Rivalries will always be there. But in a tournament, winning is the main thing. Be it Sri Lanka, Afghanistan or Pakistan, we enter the field to win,” he said. “Beating Sri Lanka in the last series definitely gives us confidence.”
Tanzim, who impressed at the last T20 World Cup with 11 wickets, said he is sticking to the basics that brought him success then.
“In the World Cup my focus was only on line and length, against any opponent. I’ve set that as my target again,” he added.
Bangladesh are expected to field the same XI that beat Hong Kong, with Tanzim once again leading the new-ball attack alongside Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman.
