In the 1st match of Asia Cup 2018, Sri Lanka will lock horns with Bangladesh at Dubai International stadiumin the United Arab Emirates today. Both the teams are grappling with injuries ahead of the tournament opener clash which might bring changes in the playing 11 of both the teams. Bangladesh come into the tournament on the back of a 2-1 series win over the West Indies 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.
Sri Lanka Team Updates
For Sri Lanka, Angelo Mathews named Kusal Mendis as an option to open the batting with Upul Tharanga, while also bringing up Kusal Perera. Mendis has played 39 of his 47 games at No.3, 7 at No.4 and one at 5, but has never opened the batting for Sri Lanka before. If this switch is to be made, then Niroshan Dickwella either moves down, or out of the playing 11. For him, 28 of 41 innings have come opening the batting. Test regular Dilruwan Perera is in with a chance to make his first ODI appearance since April 1, 2017 as Akila Dananjaya is away for the start of the tournament due to personal reasons. Mathews can also turn to left-arm spinner Amila Aponso and Shehan Jayasuriya - who replaced the injured Danushka Gunathilaka - to beef up his spin department. 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.
Bangladesh Team news
On the other, the Asia Cup has been a tournament where Bangladesh have done well over the years. During the last edition at home, they were in final although the event was competed in T20 format. In 2012, they played the finals in the 50 over format. The side under Mashrafe Mortaza has the wherewithal to compete in the 50-over format with a good bowling line-up for slower decks like the ones that will be on offer in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The batting comprises a mercurial Tamim Iqbal and the seasoned Mahmudullah Riyadh. Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan are fantastic on their days and the team would remain a dark horse in the tournament. Coming back to the todays match Bangladesh have a full-strength side to pick from, fitness permitting, with the mainstays Shakib, Iqbal, Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mustafizur Rahman all there.
Sri Lanka playing 11 probables: Kusal Mendis, Upul Tharanga, Kusal Perera, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Dasun Shanaka, Shehan Jayasuriya or Amila Aponso, Dilruwan Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga
Bangladesh playing 11 probables: Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Mohammad Mithun, Mosaddek Hossain, Mashrafe Mortaza, Mehidy Hasan, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman
Sri Lanka Team Updates
For Sri Lanka, Angelo Mathews named Kusal Mendis as an option to open the batting with Upul Tharanga, while also bringing up Kusal Perera. Mendis has played 39 of his 47 games at No.3, 7 at No.4 and one at 5, but has never opened the batting for Sri Lanka before. If this switch is to be made, then Niroshan Dickwella either moves down, or out of the playing 11. For him, 28 of 41 innings have come opening the batting. Test regular Dilruwan Perera is in with a chance to make his first ODI appearance since April 1, 2017 as Akila Dananjaya is away for the start of the tournament due to personal reasons. Mathews can also turn to left-arm spinner Amila Aponso and Shehan Jayasuriya - who replaced the injured Danushka Gunathilaka - to beef up his spin department. 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.
Bangladesh Team news
On the other, the Asia Cup has been a tournament where Bangladesh have done well over the years. During the last edition at home, they were in final although the event was competed in T20 format. In 2012, they played the finals in the 50 over format. The side under Mashrafe Mortaza has the wherewithal to compete in the 50-over format with a good bowling line-up for slower decks like the ones that will be on offer in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The batting comprises a mercurial Tamim Iqbal and the seasoned Mahmudullah Riyadh. Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan are fantastic on their days and the team would remain a dark horse in the tournament. Coming back to the todays match 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 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.
Here is the playing 11 probables of both the teams
Sri Lanka playing 11 probables: Kusal Mendis, Upul Tharanga, Kusal Perera, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Dasun Shanaka, Shehan Jayasuriya or Amila Aponso, Dilruwan Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga
Bangladesh playing 11 probables: Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Mohammad Mithun, Mosaddek Hossain, Mashrafe Mortaza, Mehidy Hasan, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman
