For many reasons Bangladesh start as favorite against Sri Lanka in their mission Super 12 despite of losing to them in the practice match. The wicket of Sharjah looked slow and low very much like SBNCS Dhaka, being day match there is no concern of dew and Bangladesh is back in winning momentum. But it would not be easy.
Sri Lanka being young team would play fearless cricket. They also have some quality spinners and good pace attack. The winner today would be better place for moving forward from this group of death.
Bangladesh and Sri Lanka both are ICC full members. They had to play qualifying round for not finishing among top 8 within a date line. Per original guideline they were due to play in two groups of Super 12. But ICC changed guideline midway through the qualifying round much to the astonishment of cricket enthusiasts. It is a bad precedent ICC created.
Bangladesh and Sri Lanka grouped in A alongside West Indies, Australia, England and South Africa are all six full member countries. The group B where India would be playing has two qualifiers from associate members Scotland and Namibia.
Bangladesh as we know was shocked by Scotland losing by 6 runs. They bounced back beating Oman and PNG by comfortable margin. They still have some issues with the batting but bowling looks well-oiled machine. Bowling will be their key on a surface that would suit their type of bowling. Shakib and Mustafiz would the key. Saifuddin and Mehedi are also bowling tight.
It would be interesting to note whether Bangladesh choose additional spinner Nasum Ahmed to exploit the condition or stay with Taskin bowling at pace. Bangladesh would love to see openers give good start and later order batsman score well in the last power play. Toss would be important factor. If Bangladesh win they should bat and try to set a target of 175 plus. Mushfique coming back to form would be what Bangladesh fan would be looking for.
Bangladesh must plan its batting well if have to chase. They must not be rigid with the batting order. Afif and Saifuddin can be tried above their original positions if run rate becomes an issue. Bangladesh must play Wanindu Hasaranga. He is in prolific form. None should try heaving him. Playing him along the group should be the way to go. While bowling Mustafiz and Saifuddin should be kept preserved for the death over. If Mahmudullah is fit and wicket grips, he should bowl few overs.
Players bring us glory. Their success makes us happy and proud. We must not create additional pressure on them.
Bangladesh (probable): Mohammad Naim, Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah (capt), Afif Hossain, Nurul Hasan (wk), Mahedi Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Taskin Ahmed/ Nasum Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman
Sri Lanka (possible): Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera (wk), Charith Asalanka, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (Capt.), Chamika Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Binura Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana/Akila Dananjaya, and Lahiru Kumara
BDST: 1352 HRS, OCT 24, 2021
SMS
