Bangladesh v Sri Lanka, Asia Cup, Mirpur

Must-win encounter for upbeat hosts

The Preview by Siddhartha Talya

March 19, 2012

Match facts

March 20, 2012
Start time 1400 (0800 GMT)

Big Picture

Sri Lanka have been knocked out of the Asia Cup. But they can still spoil Bangladesh or India's chances of qualifying for the final. Earlier this month, they knocked India out of the CB series after beating Australia in the tournament's final league game. They can ensure India go through this time by winning against Bangladesh, or inflict a second-straight knock-out, undermine another sterling Virat Kohli ton and another run-chase of 320-plus, by losing.

A Sri Lanka win will end Bangladesh's Asia Cup, one the hosts spiced up through their thrilling chase against India that kept their qualification hopes alive and prevented Sunday's India-Pakistan encounter from becoming a mere dress rehearsal for the final. They fought hard against Pakistan, won memorably against India by embarrassing a weak bowling attack and can't be written off against a Sri Lanka team yet to recover from sizable defeats. Bangladesh will go through if they win; even if they tie with India on points, they're through by virtue of having beaten them earlier.

For Sri Lanka, a team that beat South Africa at home twice in the ODI series in January and won against Australia four times in the CB series, failing to make it to the final of a tournament they've traditionally done well in represents a setback. Sri Lanka will be desperate to salvage some pride, Bangladesh to display some consistency in winning against superior teams, not merely challenging them.

In 29 tournaments of three teams or more that Bangladesh have participated in, they've only made it to the final once - the tri-series final at home where Sri Lanka took the title in a close finish. A win tomorrow will mark their most impressive performance in a multi-team tournament, and what better place to deliver that than at home in front of a packed house, also the venue for the final.

Form guide

Bangladesh: WLLLL (most recent first)

Sri Lanka: LLLWL

In the spotlight

Nasir Hossain: Only 20, he has been the find of the season for Bangladesh. Spunky in the middle order, more than handy as an offspinner and a livewire in the field, Nasir has infused this Bangladesh team with plenty of life and enthusiasm. He helped give Bangladesh a realistic chance of beating Pakistan and stayed through to almost the end against India, both those innings part of a consistent run in ODIs. Sri Lanka will have their first taste of Hossain on Tuesday.

Dinesh Chandimal: He looks good to take over from Kumar Sangakkara as Sri Lanka's next long-term wicketkeeper-batsman - he's already done that in Tests. Along with Lahiru Thirimanne, he is Sri Lanka's next big batting hope. His last three outings haven't been good, however, with scores of 5, 13 and 0, all in losing causes. Bangladesh present an opportunity for a recovery.

Team news

Bangladesh will be without their seamer Shafiul Islam, who is out for 10 days with a shoulder injury. They have drafted in seamer Abul Hasan in the squad. Whether or not he'll play in the XI, as Shafiul had done, remains to be seen. They have another medium-fast option in Nazmul Hossain.

Bangladesh XI (possible): 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Nazimuddin, 3 Jahurul Islam, 4 Nasir Hossain, 5 Shakib Al Hasan, 6 Mushfiqur Rahim (capt & wk), 7 Mahmudullah, 8 Mashrafe Mortaza, 9 Abdur Razzak, 10 Nazmul Hossain, 11 Shahadat Hossain.

Will Lasith Malinga play? Or will Sri Lanka give another bowler a go? They'll be eager to win and won't be taking Bangladesh lightly. It is likely they will go in with their best XI.

Sri Lanka XI (possible): 1 Mahela Jayawardene (capt), 2 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 3 Kumar Sangakkara (wk), 4 Dinesh Chandimal, 5 Lahiru Thirimanne, 6 Upul Tharanga, 7 Farveez Maharoof, 8 Nuwan Kulasekara, 9 Seekkuge Prasanna, 10 Lasith Malinga/Shaminda Eranga, 11 Suranga Lakmal.

Stats and trivia

The teams have played each other on 29 occasions in ODIs, Bangladesh winning twice. Their first win came in February 2006 and the latest in January 2009.

Shakib Al Hasan has won the most Man-of-the-Match awards for Bangladesh in ODIs, on 12 occasions out of 124. Khaled Mashud, the former Bangladesh wicketkeeper, didn't win the award in 126 matches and former captain Habibul Bashar 111. They are ranked No. 2 and 4 in the all-time list of players who've played the most matches but not won a single Man-of-the-Match award.

Quotes

"It's another international game for us so we are not thinking too far ahead. It has been a disappointing series so hopefully we'll finish off with a win."

Mahela Jayawardene does not want to leave Bangladesh winless

"This is a must-win game for us so we are taking it as a positive sign. Our confidence is high after the win against India."

Mashrafe Mortaza is glad Bangladesh are in a situation where they can control their own fate

Edited by Nikita Bastian

Siddhartha Talya is a sub editor at ESPNcricinfo

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