Asia ODI Series 2023

Super 4s: Match 2- SL vs. BAN

Preview

The Super Four stage of the Asia Cup 2023 has just begun, and Pakistan have registered a thumping win over Bangladesh in the first match to take the top spot. Bangladesh looked all at sea against a dangerous Pakistani side and will now have to quickly get things in order. Their next match is against Sri Lanka, a team against whom they have enjoyed a fierce rivalry of late. However, Sri Lanka has a great record against the Tigers in ODI cricket and has beaten them in this Asia Cup itself. The home conditions will give them a further edge.

Sri Lanka was given a proper scare by Afghanistan in their last game and almost missed out on a spot on the Super Four stage. Fortunately, they held their nerves to win by three runs. Sri Lanka is thus the only team in this Asia Cup to enter the Super Fours with two consecutive wins, including one against Bangladesh.

In Bangladesh’s previous game against Sri Lanka in this Asia Cup, Najmul Hossain Shanto top-scored with a gritty knock of 89 off 122 deliveries. Shanto has been the team’s most successful batter in recent months, but, unfortunately, he will take no further part in the tournament due to an injury.

 In his absence, the likes of Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim will have to take on extra responsibilities. Both are the most experienced batters on the side and are well used to playing in these conditions. Mushfiqur’s 64 off 87 balls against Pakistan was the team’s highest score in a total of 193 all out. Shakib, meanwhile, also scored a useful 53 off 57 balls. 

Match Details

Match: SL vs BAN, 2nd Match, Super 4s, Asia ODI Series 2023

Date: Saturday, September 09, 2023

Time: 3:00 PM

Venue: R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Pitch and Weather Conditions

R. Premadasa's pitch typically favours batters, especially in the early innings. It offers good pace and bounce, which enables stroke play and entertaining bat-and-ball battles. However, as the game progresses, the pitch can slow down and become more spin-friendly, making it difficult for batters to score freely. Spinners will play a part in the game during the middle overs.

The weather in Colombo is expected to be cloudy with a couple of thunderstorms, especially early in the day.

SL vs BAN Squads

SL: Kusal Mendis (wk), Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Kasun Rajitha, Kusal Perera, Pramod Madushan, Dunith Wellalage, Binura Fernando

BAN: Shakib Al Hasan (c), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Tanzid Hasan, Mohammad Naim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Afif Hossain, Anamul Haque, Nasum Ahmed, Shamim Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib

SL vs BAN Probable Playing XIs

SL: Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana

BAN: Mohammad Naim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Litton Das, Towhid Hridoy, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Shamim Hossain, Afif Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud

Match Prediction

Sri Lanka holds a 41-9 head-to-head record against Bangladesh in ODIs. Playing in home conditions will certainly give them an edge. Furthermore, despite missing a few important players, they appear to have a well-rounded team. On this pitch, their spinners will trouble the opposition batters consistently. The Tigers will be counting on their experienced stars, along with Mehidy Hasan Miraz, to come up with the goods. Otherwise, they might struggle here. We do, however, expect their bowlers to do a good job on this pitch.

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