Injury-ravaged Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will be eager to shake off their modest ODI form and would like to start their Asia Cup campaign on a winning note on Thursday.
Sri Lanka, announced their squad for the Asia Cup on Tuesday, courtesy niggles and COVID-19 infection to a couple of players. They will be without Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Kumara and Dilshan Madhushanka to various injuries, while Kusal Perera, who last played an ODI in 2021, is yet to make full recovery from COVID-19 infection.
On the other hand, Bangladesh has suffered a massive blow as Litton Das, their leading run-scorer in ODIs since January 2022, is ruled out due to viral fever. Bangladesh will also miss the services of injured Tamim Iqbal, pacer Ebadot Hossain.
Ahead of the mouth-watering clash, here are few tip-off XIs
Fizz to miss out
Bangladesh pace spearhead Mustafizur Rahman is likely to miss out due to a knee niggle. The absence of 27-year-old, who has bagged 148 wickets in 89 ODIs will be a mssive miss for Bangladesh against the six-time and defending champion Sri Lanka. Hasan Mahmud is likely to replace Mustafizur in the playing XI.
Anamul comes in for Litton
Anamul Haque, who has replaced Litton Das in the Bangladesh squad, will come into the side. Anamul, 30, last played an ODI for Bangladesh in December 2022 against India. In all, he has represented Bangladesh in 44 ODIs, in which he has scored 1254 runs at an average of 30.58, which includes five fifties and three centuries. Anamul Haque s a like-for-like swap for Litton Das, who bats in top three and also keeps wickets.
Hemantha comes in for Hasaranga
With Wanindu Hasaranga, who is nursing a thigh strain, not available, Dushan Hemantha is the sole legspin option and the 29-year-old is likely to get a nod. Hemantha has played two ODIs for Sri Lanka, in which he has picked two wickets.
Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh pitch report
Pallekele has always been a two-paced surface. Bowlers with more variations has always been rewarded. It won’t be a high-scoring match for sure.
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Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh weather report
The fans will have a finger on the weather apps ahead of the feisty Sri Lanka-Bangladesh encounter as late monsoon threatens to wreak havoc.
Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh Predicted Playing XI
Sri Lanka Predicted XI: Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Binura Fernando, Kasun Rajitha
Bangladesh Predicted XI: Mohammad Naim, Anamul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam
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