It’s a weekend of rematches. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka met each other at the same time last week, a day before the electrifying Pakistan-India clash. However, this time all four teams will have much more at stake, as the business end of the tournament commences. All teams will play each other before the best two proceed to the final. For Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, this begins with rejuvenating a rivalry they had to put aside for the greater good. Both teams conveniently saw off the Afghanistan threat and now have each other to contend with before meeting the Group A teams next.
Sri Lanka are so far unbeaten in this tournament, and they would want to keep the dynamics the same way. Technically, this is their title defence campaign, having won the last T20-format Asia Cup. Bangladesh, on the other hand, already lost last week’s fixture between the two teams. Having posted a 140-run target on Abu Dhabi’s belter, they were never in the hunt to begin with. They’d hope Dubai could help them get ahead of Sri Lanka to get the early points, or at least pose enough threat to not choke their Net Run Rate at the start.
Team Overview:
Bangladesh benched Parvez Hossain Emon against Afghanistan after he failed to deliver the desired results in the first two games. In his absence, his opening partner Tanzid Hasan amassed a quick-fire 52 off 31 balls. In all, though, Bangladesh’s batting unit hasn’t done anything impressive thus far. Among all teams in the tournament, Bangladesh have the lowest tally of sixes (8), and that is quite telling of their batting struggles. While the bowling lineup hasn’t been as dismal, Mustafizur Rahman, their strike bowler, hasn’t been at his usual best this tournament. Despite striking regularly, he has been rather expensive in the three matches so far. Bangladesh would hope Dubai’s surface helps him get back to his frugal self in this game.
Despite going through personal turmoil following a bad day with the ball, Dunith Wellalage will join Sri Lanka ahead of today’s game, though his inclusion in the side isn’t guaranteed. Sri Lanka managed a successful chase against Afghanistan’s bowling attack by following a classic batting template, where they kept rotating the strike and dispatching any loose ball to the boundary. What should worry Sri Lanka is that they have only chased in all three games, and that too without the help of their lower order in all but one match.
Head-to-Head Matches:
In 21 T20I matches, Bangladesh have won 8 while Sri Lanka lead with 13 wins.
Weather and Pitch Report:
It will be the first time Bangladesh play a T20I in Dubai since 2022, and they might find it aligns with their skillset more than Abu Dhabi. The venue has been the lesser of the two for batting and could help the spinners later in the game when the surface is likely to slow down.
Prediction:
Sri Lanka are marginally more favourites to win this game, though things could get tricky if Bangladesh’s batting lineup falls in place.
Where to Watch:
Pakistan: PTV Sports, Tapmad, Myco
India: Sony Sports Network, Sony Liv app
UAE and MENA: CricLife Max via eLife TV and Switch TV, StarzPlay
Australia: Kayo Sports
Bangladesh: Gazi TV, Toffee, Tapmad
