An upbeat Sri Lanka will derive inspiration from their unbeaten run in the group stage and start as favourites against an erratic Bangladesh side in the first Super Four match of the Asia Cup on Saturday.
Captained by Charith Asalanka, Sri Lanka finished on top of Group B by winning all their three matches, ahead of Bangladesh and T20 World Cup semifinalists Afghanistan. But the Lankans are prone to a batting collapse as well. They almost lost against Hong Kong on Monday just three weeks after they were bowled out for 80 by Zimbabwe in Harare. A shaky middle-order is their major concern.
Pathum Nissanka has been the standout performer for Sri Lanka with the bat, leading the run-scorers’ list with 124 runs from three games, including two fifties. Wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Mendis has also found form, scoring a brisk 74 off 52 balls against Afghanistan. Left-hander Kamil Mishara has also been in good touch, but Sri Lanka would also be expecting skipper Asalanka, Kusal Perera and Dasun Shanaka to do well in the middle-order.
Considering that in all the three group matches, Sri Lanka did well chasing, they are likely to bowl first if they win the toss on Saturday. Sri Lankan have been particularly impressive with the ball and ground fielding with right-arm fast bowler Nuwan Thushara emerging as the fourth highest wicket-taker in the tournament so far with five dismissals. Dushmantha Chameera has also been among the wickets with the new ball.
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But Sri Lanka will miss all-rounder Dunith Wellalage, who had to return home from the tournament after his father passed away the day he was playing Sri Lanka’s final Group B match against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
Bangladesh, on the other hand, progressed to the Super Four stage on account of Sri Lanka's win against Afghanistan on Thursday. Bangladesh have lost their only match in the group stage to Sri Lanka, who handed them a six-wicket defeat.
Bangladesh's inconsistent batting remains a major concern. Skipper Litton Das, the tournament's fourth-highest scorer with 96 runs, Saif Hasan, Tanzid Hasan and Towhid Hridoy will need to be more consistent and attacking in their batting. They will also need to improve their catching and be more aggressive in their bowling. While bringing back Taskin Ahmed in place of Shoriful Islam against Afghanistan was a good move, Bangladesh would also be expecting Nasum Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman to unsettle the Sri Lankan batsmen.
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