Bangladesh defeated Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup game on Sunday with a 23 runs margin which keeps their hopes of qualifying for the final alive. After winning the toss Bangaldesh elected to bat first putting on 147 runs with Sabbir Rahman scoring 80 while they restricted Sri Lanka to just 124 runs allotted 20 overs.
Bangladesh won the toss in their important game against Sri Lanka and they elected to bat first unlike the previous games where teams opted to bowl first. Sabbir Rahman scored impressive 80 of just 54 balls and a fourth wicket stand with Sakib-ul-Hassan put Bangladesh in course with a commanding 147 runs target.
Sri Lanka on the other hand started the inning with some quality batting with Chandimal and Jayasuriya took Sri Lanka to 76 for loss of 1 wicket but two quick wickets for Bangladesh put the breaks on Sri Lankan chase.
Sri Lanka started of their Asia Cup campaign in very unfamiliar style when they struggled to beat UAE in a game which could have easily gone the other way. Now they take on home side Bangladesh in a very important game for both teams. Sri Lanka can enhance their chances of qualifying for final with 2 wins in 2 games while Bangladesh must win to keep in a hunt for a place in the final. The match will be played on Sunday, 28th February 2016 and star sports will have live coverage of the game.
Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka – Asia Cup 2016
Date & Time: Sunday, 28 February – 19:30 local/13:30 uk time
Channels: StarSports (india). PTV Sports (Pakistan), YuppTV.Com (Online live)
The weather on Sunday is expected to be good for cricket while the Mirpur pitch has been playing slow and some movement for the seamers early on in both innings. The trend is set to continue and team winning the toss will surely bowl first if we go with the trend so far. Sri Lanka use to dominate Bangladesh in all formats not so long ago but as the two sides meet again in 2016 the storyline is so much different than the past. This Bangladesh side is no pushover anymore and pretty much a rising force specially at home.
Sunday’s game will give us an opportunity to see whether Bangladesh has gained some sort of advantage against Sri Lanka atleast when playing at home. They are likely to go with the same lineup which beat UAE couple of days ago with Mashrafe Mortaza stating he wants stability in the team.
Sri Lanka on the other hand are sweating over Lasith Malinga’s fitness who is still struggling with his knee problems and Sri Lankan managment will asses his fitness on Sunday morning and decide whether he plays some part or not. Dinesh Chandimal and T.Dilshan are set to keep their place at the top order.
Bangladesh will be looking to win their very first T20 game against Sri Lanka having lost all four before. As far as players to watch out are concerned, Bangladesh will rely on Mahamadullah to keep his all-round performance going after his 36 runs cameo against UAE and 2 wickets for 5 runs.