brand logo

Injury-hit Bangladesh and Sri Lanka look for winning start

14 Sep 2018

Both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, who will kick off the latest edition of the Asia Cup, are grappling with injuries ahead of their game in Dubai on Saturday, 15 September. Overview Bangladesh v Sri Lanka Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai Asia Cup, Group B Saturday, 15 September, 3.30 p.m. local, 5 p.m. SL time [caption id="attachment_5516" align="alignleft" width="541"] If fully fit, the returning Lasith Malinga will be key to Sri Lanka's plans[/caption] First, the injury updates. For Bangladesh, talismanic all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan needs a surgery on his left little finger, but has pushed it back till after the Asia Cup; Tamim Iqbal, the senior opener, has a swollen right ring finger; Nazmul Hossain, the off-spinner, also has an injury in his bowling hand. On to Sri Lanka now, and Danushka Gunathilaka has returned home even before the start of the tournament with a lower back problem, and has been replaced by Shehan Jayasuriya, the off-spinning all-rounder. Before the Gunathilaka-Jayasuriya swap came the news that Dinesh Chandimal is out with a finger injury – Niroshan Dickwella, the wicket-keeper batsman, has since replaced him. It’s not an ideal situation for either team, but they can’t worry too much about things they can’t control – as Bangladesh manager Khaled Mahmud said on Thursday, “I don't think injuries will have a big effect on us.” One will hope that is the case, because there is a fair bit of excitement around Dubai – and Abu Dhabi, the other venue for the tournament – around these matches pitting the best teams from Asia against each other; the migrant workforce in the United Arab Emirates is expected to be at the venues in force. And they should expect a great contest to start off with. Bangladesh come into the tournament on the back of a 2-1 series win over the Windies in the Caribbean, while Sri Lanka’s lost their last assignment, a five-match home series against South Africa, but have some momentum after having won the last two games of that series and then the one-off Twenty20 International. If recent bilateral history is anything to go by, the team currently coached by Chandika Hathurusingha beat the team formerly coached by the same man twice in a row to win the triangular series in Dhaka – with Zimbabwe as the third team – in January. However, the Bangladesh boys had their revenge in the Nidahas Trophy against the hosts, and come into this tournament as the higher-ranked of the two teams. [caption id="attachment_5517" align="alignright" width="554"] Bangladesh won a three-match ODI series 2-1 in the West Indies recently[/caption] Bangladesh have a full-strength side to pick from, fitness permitting, with the mainstays Shakib, Iqbal, Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mustafizur Rahman all there. With Chandimal out, Sri Lanka can’t quite make the same claim, but their squad looks strong on papers too. Angelo Mathews has tremendous experience and class, qualities that aren’t lacking in the core of Upul Tharanga, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Suranga Lakmal or the returning Lasith Malinga either. The return of Malinga, indeed, has been one of the stories in the lead-up to the event, with the paceman not having played any international cricket since September last year. But despite the presence of Lakmal and Malinga, Akila Dananjaya, the off-spinner with a big bag of tricks, could well be the frontman of the bowling attack on the slowish tracks. With Afghanistan the third team in the group, both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will try to make a good start to the tournament and make sure they don’t fall behind in the race for the Super Four – for that, they need a big performance up front. Key players Tamim Iqbal (Bangladesh): He’s Bangladesh’s best batsman, and comes into the Asia Cup in rollicking form, having hit two centuries in the three matches in the Caribbean. The centuries came in the two games Bangladesh won, 130* and 103, both innings of maturity and responsibility. If in the groove, he can take the game away from Sri Lanka early on. Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka): If he makes the XI, Malinga will definitely corner a fair bit of the viewers’ attention. His appearances for Sri Lanka have been sporadic in recent times, and he isn’t the force he once used to be with his searing yorkers and mix of slower deliveries. But he is still a force to reckon with, and will want to put in a big effort as the preparations for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 gather steam Conditions It’s expected to be bright and sunny in Dubai through the day, and warm – perhaps humid too – in the evening. Runs are there to be had, but spinners will likely have a big say in how things pan out. Bangladesh: Mashrafe Mortaza (Captain), Shakib Al Hasan, Liton Das, Ariful Haque, Mominul Haque, Abu Hider, Rubel Hossain, Tamim Iqbal, Nazmul Islam, Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mohammad Mithun, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mustafizur Rahman, Mosaddek Hossain Saikat and Nazmul Hossain Sri Lanka: Angelo Mathews (Captain), Amila Aponso, Dushmantha Chameera, Akila Dananjaya, Niroshan Dickwella, Shehan Jayasuriya, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga, Kusal Mendis, Dilruwan Perera, Kusal Perera, Thisara Perera, Kasun Rajitha, Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya de Silva and Upul Tharanga OVERALL SCHEDULE Sep 15, Sat Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, 1st Match, Group B Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai 5:00 PM (SL TIME) Sep 16, Sun Pakistan vs Hong Kong, 2nd Match, Group A Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai 5:00 PM Sep 17, Mon Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, 3rd Match, Group B Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi 5:00 PM Sep 18, Tue India vs Hong Kong, 4th Match, Group A Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai 5:00 PM Sep 19, Wed India vs Pakistan, 5th Match, Group A Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai 5:00 PM Sep 20, Thu Bangladesh vs Afghanistan, 6th Match, Group B Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi 5:00 PM SUPER-FOUR ROUND: Sep 21, Fri TBC* vs TBC, A1 vs B2, Super Four, Match 1 Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai 5:00 PM TBC vs TBC, B1 vs A2, Super Four, Match 2 Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi 5:00 PM Sep 23, Sun TBC vs TBC, A1 vs A2, Super Four, Match 3 Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai 5:00 PM TBC vs TBC, B1 vs B2, Super Four, Match 4 Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi 5:00 PM Sep 25, Tue TBC vs TBC, A1 vs B1, Super Four, Match 5 Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai 5:00 PM Sep 26, Wed TBC vs TBC, A2 vs B2, Super Four, Match 6 Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi 5:00 PM Sep 28, Fri TBC vs TBC, Final Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai 5:00 PM *TBC=To Be Confirmed (ICC)

Kapruka

Discover Kapruka, the leading online shopping platform in Sri Lanka, where you can conveniently send Gifts and Flowers to your loved ones for any event. Explore a wide range of popular Shopping Categories on Kapruka, including Toys, Groceries, Electronics, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Automobile, Mother and Baby Products, Clothing, and Fashion. Additionally, Kapruka offers unique online services like Money Remittance, Astrology, Medicine Delivery, and access to over 700 Top Brands. Also If you’re interested in selling with Kapruka, Partner Central by Kapruka is the best solution to start with. Moreover, through Kapruka Global Shop, you can also enjoy the convenience of purchasing products from renowned platforms like Amazon and eBay and have them delivered to Sri Lanka.Send love straight to their heart this Valentine's with our thoughtful gifts!

Discover Kapruka, the leading online shopping platform in Sri Lanka, where you can conveniently send Gifts and Flowers to your loved ones for any event. Explore a wide range of popular Shopping Categories on Kapruka, including Toys, Groceries, Electronics, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Automobile, Mother and Baby Products, Clothing, and Fashion. Additionally, Kapruka offers unique online services like Money Remittance, Astrology, Medicine Delivery, and access to over 700 Top Brands. Also If you’re interested in selling with Kapruka, Partner Central by Kapruka is the best solution to start with. Moreover, through Kapruka Global Shop, you can also enjoy the convenience of purchasing products from renowned platforms like Amazon and eBay and have them delivered to Sri Lanka.Send love straight to their heart this Valentine's with our thoughtful gifts!


More News..