Depleted Sri Lanka will be tested by Bangladesh

Rex Clementine at Pallekele

A bowling attack that had gradually built-up momentum with pace, accuracy and variety along with a spin department spearheaded by crafty Wanindu Hasaranga had given Sri Lanka hopes leading up to the Asia Cup, but everything is back to square one after all bowlers who would have featured in the starting line up were sidelined with injury.

Literally, Sri Lanka have been forced to scratch the barrel and if Binura Fernando, who is extremely vulnerable to injuries goes down, Sri Lanka might as well send an SOS to the ever-reliable Chaminda Vaas to come out of retirement.

Sri Lanka will play their first game in the competition against Bangladesh today and despite the drawback from injuries, it gives them a chance to test their bench strength.

You can not quite call Kasun Rajitha a backup bowler. Rajitha has improved leaps and bounds in recent years and it’s a pity at times that he doesn’t get the nod ahead of others. Then of course there is Matheesha Pathirana, who had quite an impact in the IPL but yet to convert that success into international cricket. It will be interesting to see how he goes in the 50 over format.

Now that the bowling has been severely depleted, Sri Lanka will be hoping that the batsmen fire and give the team some cover.

Kusal Perera has recovered from COVID and will feature in his first ODI in two years. Mostly in the last two years, the left-handed batter has been injured.

Charith Asalanka has been a sensation in the middle order bailing out the side on numerous occasions while Pathum Nissanka has been consistent top of the order. There’s also Test captain Dimuth Karunaratne, who is expected to play the anchor role in the competition.

Effectively a win today will give them a chance for the second round.

Bangladesh too have some injury concerns as Liton Das has been ruled out with viral fever. Anamul Haque has replaced him.

Head-to-head, Sri Lanka dominate Bangladesh having won 40 of the 51 ODIs between the countries. Bangladesh have won nine games with two matches ending in no results.

Sri Lanka (From): Dasun Shanaka (Captain), Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis (Wicketkeeper), Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Kasun Rajitha, Dushan Hemantha, Binura Fernando and Pramod Madushan

Bangladesh (From): Shakib Al Hasan (Captain), Anamul Haque (Wicketkeeper), Najmul Hossain, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Shak Hasan, Naim Sheikh, Shamim Hossain, Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Tanzim Sakib.

Umpires: Paul Wilson (Aus) Jayaraman Madanagopal (IND)

Third Umpire: Richard Illingworth (Eng)

Match Referee: Javagal Srinath (IND).