Dubai: A determined Sri Lanka will take inspiration from their unbeaten group campaign and start as favourites against an inconsistent Bangladesh in the first Super Four match of the Asia Cup here on Saturday.
Ably led by Charith Asalanka, the Lankans finished on top of Group B with three wins from as many matches, ahead of Bangladesh and T20 World Cup semifinalists Afghanistan.
Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by six wickets before defeating Hong Kong and Afghanistan by four and six wickets respectively.
But, more recently, Bangladesh has had the better run, winning 2-1 in Sri Lanka in July, having also beaten Sri Lanka in the T20 World Cup last year in Dallas.
In those matches, Bangladesh’s bowlers tended to strike early and find wickets regularly. Sri Lanka hope their batting order is in a better place now. But it was less than two weeks ago that they collapsed to 80 all out against Zimbabwe.
Bangladesh also has the advantage of having played a match at this venue already. Their crushing of Hong Kong on Thursday was a largely complete performance, with the seamers getting wickets and the top order unfussily taking the team home in a modest chase. There were also wickets for legspinner Rishad Hossain, who was excellent against Sri Lanka in their most recent series, going at only 5.47 an over in his 12 overs across three matches.
