*ASIA CUP MATCH 2: SRILANKA VS BANGLADESH 2023 PREVIEW*
*THE BUILD UP:*
*INJURY PLAGUED SRILANKA SEEK RELIEF AT THEIR HOME:*
Bangladesh vs Srilanka in Palleleke should be a contest to look out for. The surface here offers something for the benefit of both batters and bowlers and both teams with very decent ODI outfits will be keen to get off the mark in style.
Dasun Shanaka and his men sweeped through the Qualifiers and have the home advantage backing them but what has hurt them right before the start of this tournament is the number of injuries that their players have incurred on the way with some of the big names like Hasaranga, Chameera and Kumara missing out. They will need the replacements to do a near perfect job and not bottle up their chances as Srilanka search for a successive Asia Cup win with back to back elusive titles.
The Bangladesh cricket team on the other hand, with premier allrounder Shakib at the helm of things have a history of crashing out before the knockouts and don’t seem to be improving from a long time now. Over reliance on senior players and lack of consistency is a major concern for this side but their recent series victory over Srilanka should keep them in good stead as they search for a first Asia cup triumph and a good prep before the mega event to be held in India later this year.
*SRILANKA PROBABLE XI:*
Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Kasun Rajitha
Srilanka’s top 3 boast of quality and consistency and they should be in for a long run here vs Bangladesh. Alot of their batters have good stats against this opposition and the L-R pairing of Karunaratne and Nissanka Will be eager to get their side off to a good start on a surface that will have something to savour for everyone. Now one player who I’m excited to watch is Sadeera Samarawickrama who has been among the scheme of things for Srilanka for a while now but has an average of just 30 in his 17 ODI appearances. He needs a good first game and an overall good tournament to keep the hopes high for him making the World Cup squad and it will be interesting to see that for how long the Lankan management sticks with him for the middle order.
Dushan Hemantha, a leg spinning allrounder should be slotted directly into the XI replacing the injured Hasaranga. He has a nice smooth action and gets good grip off the surface. With Bangladesh likely to bat in a tentative manner specially with the absence of attacking Litton Das, Hemantha can dream big and trap some of the batters in front of the stumps. I’m eager to watch his battle against the Bangladeshi skipper Shakib who would look to take the spinner on with the matchup going in his favour.
*BANGLADESH PROBABLE XI:*
Tanzid Tamim, Naim Sheikh, Nazmul Hossain, Towhid Hridoy, Shakib al Hasan(c), Mushfiqur Rahim(wk), Mehidy Hasan, Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Mustafizur Rahman/ Shoriful Islam.
Expect both Mahedy’s to make the cut because of the high number of left handed batters in the Srilankan XI. They will take the ball away from them and cause troubles on a surface that should trouble the batters specially with away turn being a prominent feature. Bangladesh also have the services of their skipper Shakib who was a beast last World Cup and would be anticipating good form to back him in the lead up to the World Cup later this year. This Asia Cup held in Pakistan and Srilanka should be a good one for Shakib to shine with the surfaces on offer expected to suit his style of play both batting and bowling wise.
Bangladesh’s campaign will be decided based on how their fringe players rise to the occasion and how the less renowned players perform. The big guns have always been among the runs/wickets for Bangladesh and that leads to the others either going under the carpet or not getting enough time to perform. If the likes of Nani Sheikh, Towhid Hridoy and Nazmul Hossain churn out tough runs on tough surfaces when the team needs them the most in a very dire situation then Bangladesh are on course otherwise another group exit could be on the cards.
*MY PREDICTIONS:*
*FOR SL:*
Highest run getter- Dimuth Karunaratne/Pathum Nissanka
Highest wicket taker- Maheesh Theekshana/Kasun Rajitha
*FOR BANGLADESH:*
Highest run getter- Naim Sheikh/Shakib Al Hasan
Highest wicket taker- Shakib Al Hasan/Mehidy Hasan Mirza
*FOR THE GAME:*
SL to win