The defending champions, Sri Lanka are all set to kick off their campaign in the 2023 Asia Cup on Thursday, August 31 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. They will be taking on Bangladesh in their opening clash of the tournament. Both the teams will be keen to start the championship with a win.
Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan in the 2022 Asia Cup to clinch their sixth title. They are heading into the tournament on the back of a good performance in ODIs in the recently concluded ODI World Cup qualifiers. They won the final and have qualified for the upcoming World Cup. However, they will be missing the likes of Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Madushanka and Lahiru Kumara, who are out due to injury.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh will be disappointed with their performance against Afghanistan in the recent ODI series. They lost the three-match series 2-1 at home. Heading into the Asia Cup, they will be missing Tamim Iqbal. In his absence, Shakib-al-Hasan will be leading the team. Ebadot Hossain too has been ruled out due to a knee injury.
Match Details
Match: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, Asia Cup 2023
Date: Thursday, August 31, 3:00 PM
Venue: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele
Live Streaming: Star Sports, Disney+ Hotstar
Pitch Report
The pitch at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium is a decent surface to bat on. There might be some assistance on offer for the spinners during the middle overs. The average first-innings total at the venue is 256 runs. The team that wins the toss is likely to opt to chase.
Predicted Playing XIs
Bangladesh: Shakib-al-Hasan, Mohammad Naim, Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraj, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Taijul Islam
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sahan Arachchige, Dasun Shanaka, Binura Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Dushan Hemantha
Dream11 Suggestions
Captain: Shakib Al Hasan
Vice-captain: Dhanajaya de Silva
Wicket-keeper: Litton Das
Batters: Dimuth Karunaratne, Towhid Hridoy, Pathum Nissanka
All-rounders: Dasun Shanaka, Mehidy Hasan Miraj
Bowlers: Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Maheesh Theekshana
Squads
Bangladesh: Shakib Al Hasan (captain), Litton Das, Tanzid Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Naim Sheikh, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Sakib, Hasan Mahmud, Nasum Ahmed, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shamim Hossain, Afif Hossain, Mahedi Hasan
Sri Lanka: Dasun Shanaka (C), Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Janith Perera, Kusal Mendis (VC), Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya De Silva, Samara Samarawickrama, Maheesh Theeksana, Dunith Wellalage, Matheesa Pathirana, Kasun Rajitha, Dushan Hemantha, Binura Fernando, Pramod Madushan
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