EKUSH TAPADER from Abu Dhabi

“Nagin, Nagin!” shouted some fans at Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga from the gallery of the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Thursday. The leg-spin bowling all-rounder didn’t notice the chants at first, when he did, he responded with a faint smile.

The said fans were a group of Bangladeshi expatriates who had arrived early to watch the Tigers practice at the venue ahead of their opening Group B match of the Asia Cup against Hong Kong later in the day.

The fans told the reporter that the Hong Kong match didn’t interest them much and they were desperately trying to procure tickets for the games against Sri Lanka and Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi, however, the online portal showed that none were available for either games.

By teasing Hasaranga with the “Nagin” chants, the expatriates stirred up the memories of the Nidahas Trophy in 2018, a tournament that sparked the Bangladesh-Sri Lanka rivalry, which has turned into the second most spiciest cricketing contest in the sub-continent after India-Pakistan.

On Thursday, the Sri Lankan team, who will face the Tigers on Saturday, had a scheduled training session in Abu Dhabi before Bangladesh. As the Tigers entered the venue, the Lankans were still training, and a few players exchanged greetings.

Players from both sides have recently tried to downplay the rivalry in the media. Hasaranga did not even want to touch the topic as when this reporter asked, “Are you fully prepared for the rivalry?” while he was leaving the ground, he replied, “Bangladesh media? No comments.”

In July, Bangladesh defeated Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka for the first time in a T20I series, but Hasaranga did not play due to injury.

The leg-spinner usually does well against Bangladesh in T20Is, having claimed six wickets from four games. Beyond wickets, pressure created from his end has many-a-times led to wickets at the other.

Hasaranga has a strong record at Abu Dhabi as well, with five wickets in three matches while never conceding more than six runs per over.

He generally bowls after the Powerplay, which makes him major threat to Bangladesh’s middle order consisting Litton, Jaker Ali, Saif Hassan, and Tawhid Hridoy -- all right-handers, which plays into the leg-spinner’s advantage.

Bangladesh players as well as fans know that neutralising his threat would be key for them when playing the six-time Asia Cup champions. Hasaranga, who has been out of action since last July, himself faces the challenge of regaining his rhythm. And during Thursday’s practice, he got a taste of what kind of atmosphere awaits him in the Abu Dhabi stands in his comeback game.