🏏Asia Cup 2022: Sri Lanka v/s Bangladesh, Match--5 🏏

🏏Asia Cup 2022: Sri Lanka v/s Bangladesh 🏏

The first do-or-die encounter of the Asia Cup is between two teams who suffered defeats against Afghanistan and are now left to see who out of them progresses to the Super fours from Group B.

Bangladesh is set to take on Sri Lanka in Match 5 of the Asia Cup 2022 Group B fixture at the Dubai International Stadium. Both sides suffered a loss at the hands of Afghanistan in their previous game, and the winner of the game will automatically progress into the super four stage of the tournament.

Sri Lanka looked out of socks in their first game despite having a lot of match winners in their lineup. Bhanuka Rajapaksa looked good in his stay at the crease, while a lot more will be expected from the bowlers.

Dasun Shanaka's Sri Lanka and Shakib Al Hasan-led Bangladesh need to sort out their batting issues quickly in order to prolong their stay in the UAE.

The struggles that Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have experienced aren't limited to this Asia Cup.

Since July 2019, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are the only two teams among the full member sides to average less than 20 with the bat.

They are also the only two teams with a strike rate of below 115, a boundary percentage of less than 13, and score less than four sixes per match - highlighting the need for a major reboot in their methods with the bat.

Both of these teams belong to Group B, along with Afghanistan. Afghanistan defeated both of them to make its way through to the Super 4. This match will decide the second team to qualify from Group B for the Super 4s.

Weather Report:

The temperature is expected to hover around 35°C on the matchday with 45% humidity and 13 km/hr wind speed. There are no chances of precipitation during the game.

Match 5 Pitch Report:

The deck at Dubai Cricket Stadium produces matches in the range of 160-170 and is not ideal for explosive batting. The straight boundaries of Dubai are very short, which the batsman takes full advantage of. There is also some seam movement and extra bounce here. The spinners generally have very little help on this surface.

The Dubai International Stadium has been quite good for the bowlers, and the batters have found it tough to post big totals in the games played so far. The skipper winning the toss will be looking to chase, given the results so far in the venue.

Average 1st innings score:

The average first innings score on this wicket is 146 runs.

Record of chasing teams:

The team batting second has great records here. They have maintained a winning percentage of 80 on this ground.

Probable Playing 11 --

Bangladesh: Mohammad Naim, Anamul Haque, Shakib Al Hasan ©, Afif Hossain, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mosaddek Hossain, Mahmudullah, Mahedi Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman

Sri Lanka: Danushka Gunathilaka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka ©, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana

Players to watch--

Pathum Nissanka is a right-handed batsman from Sri Lanka. He scored just 3 runs in the last game but can come in handy in this one.

Chamika Karunaratne is a right-handed batsman and right-arm medium-fast bowler from Sri Lanka. He smashed 31 runs in the last match and can turn out to be effective once again here.

Mosaddek Hossain is a right-handed batsman and right-arm off-break bowler from Bangladesh. He hammered 48 runs and took 1 wicket in the last game. He will be an essential pick to consider for this match.

Mahmudullah is a right-handed batsman and right-arm off-break bowler from Bangladesh. He smacked 26 runs in the last match. He has the potential to win games single-handedly.

THE GREATEST RIVALRY IN WORLD CRICKET IS HERE GUYS.

This should become an annual affair like Ashes and be renamed 'The battle of Nidahas'. 🥳🤣

Mind games already started. 🤣🤪

https://circleofcricket.com/category/asiacup2022/79040/asia-cup-2022-watch-i-dont-see-any-bowlers-in-sri-lanka-mahmud-hits-back-at-shanaka-over-his-recent-remarks

Thanks for the tag Madhu.🤗

May the best team win.

Cheers..

Probable best batter of the match: Pathum Nissanka

Pathum Nissanka was dismissed for just three in the first game against Afghanistan and he will be looking to make up for the failure. The right-hander is a quality batter at the top and has stepped up in crucial times for Sri Lanka in the past.

Probable best bowler of the match: Wanindu Hasaranga

Wanindu Hasaranga was the only bowler to pick up a wicket in the previous game against Afghanistan and he is a match winner with the ball in hand. The leg-spinner would be looking to take up the responsibility from the bowling point of view and turn the game around with wickets at regular intervals.

The Bangladesh batters struggled against Mujeeb ur Rahman in the powerplay while Rashid Khan tormented them in the middle overs.

Sri Lanka have similar bowlers to exploit Bangladesh's weakness against wrist/mystery spin in the form of Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga.

With the presence of several left-handed batters in the Sri Lankan middle order, Bangladesh might look at using Shakib more in the power play while the off spinners might prove effective in the middle overs.

Did you know?

- Bangladesh have lost all the six T20Is they have played in the UAE and have crossed 150 only once (171/4 vs Sri Lanka in October 2021).

- Since beating Pakistan in the 2014 final, Sri Lanka have lost six successive games in the Asia Cup, including five T20I defeats.

- In 53 innings between the two teams since last August, there have been only two 50-plus opening stands.

The pitch at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium has been batsman and seamer-friendly. As both teams have all-rounding capabilities, it would be interesting to see whether the total will be defended or chased. Moreover, it will be a warm evening, with a high of 35-degree Celsius.

Thanks for tag.