It will be another must win situation for Bangladesh in the Super Four stage when they take on Sri Lanka today at Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.
Bangladesh were also in a must win position against Afghanistan to manage a room in the Super Four phase following their defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka in their opener.
The Tigers made a strong bounce back just to outplay Afghanistan and moved into the Super Four, but suffered a humiliating seven wickets defeat to Pakistan in the first match, so today’s match against Sri Lanka has turned into a do or die encounter.
To remain on the track of playing the final there is no option but to win for Bangladesh against Sri Lanka. However, the Tigers experienced their most stretched struggle to bounce back in due time, so it can only be expected that the Tigers will not leave any space without challenge.
No doubt, Sri Lanka are far ahead of the Tigers in overall 52 head to head meetings including 16 times in Asia Cup.
Sri Lanka won 41 matches and Bangladesh won nine and there were no results in two matches in their 52 meetings when in Asia Cup Bangladesh could manage three wins against 13 off 16 outings.
Sri Lanka has another record against Bangladesh when since their first meeting in 1986 they (Sri Lanka) won 15 matches at a stretch, Bangladesh won the 16th match and then another eight matches interval Bangladesh won another match.
However, it would be a different ball game today, when the two sides face each other in the Super Four phase to remain on track to make the final berth.
Tigers, hopefully are well placed to come back in the match and potentially for a strong selection with Litton Das joining the squad, though he could not do well in the previous match.
For Bangladesh there will be only one match left to play after today’s match.
They are going to play today’s match followed by two tough games, an advantage of experiences of big match temperaments to continue the build up.”
Apart from pace spearhead Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, young Hasan Mahmud has caught the eye after impressing in the ODI and T20I series against Afghanistan and Ireland.
The key decision will be needed to make over today’s match who will open the batting. Shanto-Miraz form and their performances against Afghanistan in the vital match, have made a strong case for them to be retained at the top of the order while the previous match performances were not up to the mark.
Litton Das missed the first two matches of the tournament, when he did return slotted in at No. 3 (one down) with Shanto and Miraz opening against Pakistan.
Bangladesh’s preparations for the Asia Cup have become somewhat disjointed with a number of injuries around first-choice players. Tamim Iqbal and Ebadot Hossain both picked up injuries, which ruled them out while Litton Das had been sidelined after suddenly being attacked by fever (the opener returned after two matches).