It’s now or never against Sri Lanka

The winner of today’s match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will qualify for the Super 4 as both have lost their matches against Afghanistan.

Sri Lanka, the hosts of the Asia Cup who are staging it in UAE due to political unrest at home, surely will leave no stone unturned to stay alive in the tournament, which will make them an even more deadly opposition for Bangladesh.

The Tigers have played 12 T20Is against Sri Lanka so far and managed to win four out of them, which is a decent record. But when it comes down to their last meeting in Dubai during the ICC T20 World Cup 2021, it was a one-sided affair.

Batting first, Bangladesh put 171-4 after 20 overs, which felt enough. But with poor fielding and mindless bowling changes, then skipper Mahmudullah Riyad allowed Charith Asalanka and Bhanuka Rajapaksa to steer the side to victory with five wickets and seven balls in hand.

In the 10 months following their last meeting, both teams have moved in pretty much the same direction. Sri Lanka have played 12 T20Is this year, winning two and losing nine. The remaining one ended in a tie, which Australia won in the super over.

Bangladesh have played nine T20Is this year, where they won two and lost six, and one was rainwashed. The numbers are pretty close, but it is the opposition that matters most.

Sri Lanka played against Australia at both home and abroad. Two of their wins came against Australia, one at Melbourne and another one at Pallekele. They have played eight T20I matches against Australia this year and three against India in India.

On the other hand, Bangladesh played against Afghanistan, West Indies, and Zimbabwe. One of their two wins this year came against Afghanistan at home and the other came against Zimbabwe.

The level of opposition speaks about the preparation and despite being blown away by Afghanistan in their first match, Sri Lanka are still a good side, especially against Bangladesh, who are clueless in this format.

Sri Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka openly said in the press conference that Bangladesh lack depth in the bowling attack as they have only two world-class bowlers- Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman.

Shanaka might change his opinion after seeing Mustafiz bowl ordinarily against Afghanistan, where the left-arm pacer conceded 30 runs in three overs, especially when he conceded 17 runs in the 17th over Bangladesh lost the grip.

The way Mujeeb-ur-Rahman and Rashid Khan picked wickets against Bangladesh might make Shanaka more intrigued about using his spinners. Sri Lanka have Wanindu Hasaranga and Mahesh Theekshana along with Praveen Jayawickrama. The trident of leg-spin, off-spin, and left-arm spin could easily tear apart Bangladesh’s batting, which is looking more fragile after the Afghanistan match.

Practically, a very slim ray of hope for Bangladesh exists to make it to the super 4, considering the current predicament. But as cricket is a game of glorious uncertainty, anything can happen.

A mesmerising spell from Shakib, some crafty batting from Afif Hossain, and a tricky performance from Shak Mahedi might turn the wheel.

Otherwise, it will be the same pathetic-looking Bangladesh team practising some old obsolete ways of playing, which were in use before the invention of Twenty20.