NEW DELHI: Bangladesh will prioritise survival, while Sri Lanka aim for a victorious start as they clash in the second Super 4 match of the Asia Cup on Saturday.
After suffering a seven-wicket defeat at the hands of Pakistan in the Super 4 opener in Lahore, Bangladesh finds themselves in a must-win situation against Sri Lanka, provided the weather permits the match to proceed.
Another loss could likely mark the end of their Asia Cup campaign.
Their primary concern lies in their batting performance, which requires immediate attention.
During the group stage, Bangladesh managed to score 334 for 5 against Afghanistan, thanks to centuries by Najmal Shanto and Mehidy Hasan Miraz.
However, they struggled against stronger bowling units from Sri Lanka and Pakistan, posting modest totals of 164 and 193, respectively. This inconsistency against top-class opponents is a cause for concern as they prepare to face Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka possesses a formidable bowling lineup with bowlers like Maheesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana, who are capable of inflicting significant damage, a fact well known to Bangladesh. Pathirana and Theekshana combined to take six wickets, restricting Bangladesh to a sub-200 total in a Group B league match on August 31.
Sri Lanka’s bowling strength was further demonstrated by pacer Kasun Rajitha, who played a crucial role in their narrow victory over Afghanistan on September 5, despite conceding many runs.
However, Sri Lanka also have concerns of their own. Afghanistan’s batsmen piled up 289 runs in just 37.4 overs in a recent match, serving as a reminder to the Sri Lankan bowlers to stay focused.
Bangladesh will rely heavily on their frontline batsmen to step up, but they will be without the services of Shanto, who has been ruled out of the Asia Cup due to a hamstring injury. Captain Shakib Al Hasan will need to lead by example with the bat. In contrast, Sri Lanka hopes for a standout performance from their captain, Dasun Shanaka, who has had a modest year.
While both teams have faced challenges in their respective departments, the contest promises to be an intriguing battle between two teams dealing with their own concerns.
Teams:
Bangladesh: Shakib Al Hasan (captain), Anamul Haque Bijoy, Litton Das, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Afif Hossain Dhrubo, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Naim Sheikh, Shamim Hossain, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Tanzim Hasan Sakib.
Sri Lanka: Dasun Shanaka (captain), Pathum Nissanaka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Janith Perera, Kusal Mendis (vice-captain), Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Matheesha Pathirana, Kasun Rajitha, Dushan Hemantha, Binura Fernando, Pramod Madushan.
After suffering a seven-wicket defeat at the hands of Pakistan in the Super 4 opener in Lahore, Bangladesh finds themselves in a must-win situation against Sri Lanka, provided the weather permits the match to proceed.
Another loss could likely mark the end of their Asia Cup campaign.
Their primary concern lies in their batting performance, which requires immediate attention.
During the group stage, Bangladesh managed to score 334 for 5 against Afghanistan, thanks to centuries by Najmal Shanto and Mehidy Hasan Miraz.
However, they struggled against stronger bowling units from Sri Lanka and Pakistan, posting modest totals of 164 and 193, respectively. This inconsistency against top-class opponents is a cause for concern as they prepare to face Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka possesses a formidable bowling lineup with bowlers like Maheesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana, who are capable of inflicting significant damage, a fact well known to Bangladesh. Pathirana and Theekshana combined to take six wickets, restricting Bangladesh to a sub-200 total in a Group B league match on August 31.
Sri Lanka’s bowling strength was further demonstrated by pacer Kasun Rajitha, who played a crucial role in their narrow victory over Afghanistan on September 5, despite conceding many runs.
However, Sri Lanka also have concerns of their own. Afghanistan’s batsmen piled up 289 runs in just 37.4 overs in a recent match, serving as a reminder to the Sri Lankan bowlers to stay focused.
Bangladesh will rely heavily on their frontline batsmen to step up, but they will be without the services of Shanto, who has been ruled out of the Asia Cup due to a hamstring injury. Captain Shakib Al Hasan will need to lead by example with the bat. In contrast, Sri Lanka hopes for a standout performance from their captain, Dasun Shanaka, who has had a modest year.
While both teams have faced challenges in their respective departments, the contest promises to be an intriguing battle between two teams dealing with their own concerns.
Teams:
Bangladesh: Shakib Al Hasan (captain), Anamul Haque Bijoy, Litton Das, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Afif Hossain Dhrubo, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Naim Sheikh, Shamim Hossain, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Tanzim Hasan Sakib.
Sri Lanka: Dasun Shanaka (captain), Pathum Nissanaka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Janith Perera, Kusal Mendis (vice-captain), Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Matheesha Pathirana, Kasun Rajitha, Dushan Hemantha, Binura Fernando, Pramod Madushan.
