SRI vs BAN: Damaged Sri Lanka will face Bangladesh for a win

SRI vs BAN

SRI vs BAN: The overview

SRI vs BAN: Both teams, led respectively by Dasun Shanaka and Shakib Al Hasan, need to address their batting issues as soon as possible in order to extend their time spent in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The first match of the Asia Cup which is considered to be a “do-or-die” match will take place between two teams that have already been eliminated from the tournament after losing to Afghanistan.

After Bangladesh had been reduced to 53 for 5 at one point during their match against Afghanistan, Mosaddek Hossain’s unbeaten 48 off 41 gave them a fighting chance to win the match. However, Shakib will be hoping for a stronger performance from the top five, who scored a combined total of only 35 runs in the first game of their Asia Cup tournament. While Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Chamika Karunaratne both scored 30 runs for Sri Lanka in their first game, the team’s overall batting performance was little to write home about.

It’s not just the Asia Cup that Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have been having trouble with; their difficulties go back much further. Since the beginning of the New Year in July 2019, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are the only two teams among the full member sides to have a batting average of less than 20.

They are also the only two teams with a strike rate that is lower than 115, a boundary percentage that is lower than 13, and a score that is lower than four sixes per match, which demonstrates the need for a significant overhaul in their techniques when they are at the crease.

SRI vs BAN: Match Details

When: at 6:00 PM on Thursday, September 1, in your local time zone (7:30 PM IST)

Where: The location is the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

SRI vs BAN: What to anticipate?

In the games that have been played so far in Dubai, the pitches have provided some assistance to the fast bowlers, and it is likely that they will be able to make an impact once more. Evening temperatures will remain in the warm range, reaching a high of 35 degrees Celsius.

SRI vs BAN: Head to head

In head-to-head competition, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have met a total of 12 times, with Bangladesh claiming victory four times and Sri Lanka falling short eight times. Since 2016, they have won all four of their contests.

SRI vs BAN: Team updates  

Sri Lanka

Injuries and absences are not a worry for Sri Lanka’s team right now, as there are no players out of commission or injured.

Matchups and strategies: During the powerplay, the batters from Bangladesh had a difficult time against Mujeeb ul Rahman, while Rashid Khan tormented them during the middle overs. Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga are two of Sri Lanka’s spin bowlers who are comparable to those used by Bangladesh, and they can take advantage of Bangladesh’s vulnerability to wrist and mystery spin.

Bangladesh

There are no reports of anyone in Bangladesh’s squad suffering from an injury or being unavailable. However, it is expected that they will make one or two adjustments, one of which would involve the inclusion of leg-spin all-rounder Sabbir Rahman and/or Mehidy Hasan Miraz.

Matchups and Strategies: Given that there are several left-handed hitters in the middle order of the Sri Lankan side, Bangladesh could consider employing Shakib more in the powerplay, while the off-spinners could be useful in the middle overs.

SRI vs BAN: Probable playing XI

Sri Lanka

Kusal Mendis (wk), Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Danushka Gunathilaka, Pathum Nissanka,  Dasun Shanaka (c), Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Matheesha Pathirana.

Bangladesh

Afif Hossain, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mosaddek Hossain, Mohammad Naim, Anamul Haque, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Mohammad Saifuddin, Mahmudullah, Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman.

SRI vs BAN: Trivia

– Bangladesh have failed to win any of the six Twenty20 Internationals that they have competed in within the UAE and have only once scored more than 150 runs (171/4 against Sri Lanka in October 2021).

Since defeating Pakistan in the Asia Cup final in 2014, Sri Lanka has gone winless in their last six matches in the tournament, including five Twenty20 Internationals. Since August of last year, there have been a total of 53 innings played between the two sides, and there have only been two opening stands of 50 runs or more.