Sri Lanka and Bangladesh meet at a crucial encounter which will determine the course for the two teams in the tournament. Currently Bangladesh is one point ahead of Sri Lanka, courtesy the wash out against Australia and they are at the third place. So a win against each other would mean that they would be ahead of the other in as many games and with three more games left.
Both of them have won against Afghanistan, the only difference being the way they won. Sri Lanka's win against Afghanistan can be called anything but convincing. Had it not been Mahela Jayawardene's century and Thisara Perera's pyrotechnics in the end, Sri Lanka could have been two points less. Bangladesh's win against Afghanistan was emphatic and that gave them the right start to the campaign. That win also meant that they have a healthy positive NRR which could come handy towards the end.
Both these teams had a match against the hosts, though different. Bangladesh was lucky to share point with Australia, and this extra point has put them in an enviable position on the table. A position that has made the journey of Sri Lanka and England (which is at 5th position in the table) difficult. Sri Lanka on the other hand, lost to New Zealand in their opener, a game that they would like to forget. That game took their NRR to negative and they could not gain much against Afghanistan as well, where they must be more than happy with a win.
Both these teams had a match against the hosts, though different. Bangladesh was lucky to share point with Australia, and this extra point has put them in an enviable position on the table. A position that has made the journey of Sri Lanka and England (which is at 5th position in the table) difficult. Sri Lanka on the other hand, lost to New Zealand in their opener, a game that they would like to forget. That game took their NRR to negative and they could not gain much against Afghanistan as well, where they must be more than happy with a win.
Sri Lanka, the runners-up of 2011 have failed to put a convincing performance in this tournament so far. Only a win tomorrow will put them to a position of safety in this tournament. They need some inspiration to take their campaign forward. After century from the classy Jayawardene in the last match, Sri Lanka would be looking for similar performance from their seasoned campaigner Kumar Sangakkara who has just made 39 and 7 in the first two games in this World Cup. Thilakaratne Dilshan is another performer who is due to join the party. Good news for them is that, Lasith Malinga is also returning to form in the two matches he has played.
Sri Lanka will also draw some confidence from the 32 - 4 record against Bangladesh in ODIs and the last time they lost to Bangladesh was in 2013. Another record that would come handy would be - they have never lost to them in a World Cup. But off late Sri Lanka have been winning against Bangladesh by only narrow margins. With the way some so-called lesser teams are performing in this tournament, Bangladesh will draw inspiration to win against Sri Lanka.
For Bangladesh, their stars Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mashrafe Mortaza were largely responsible for their win against Afghanistan. Bangladesh would expect the same performance against Sri Lanka as well. Expectation would be on Tamim Iqbal as well to contribute big.
From the team that played against Afghanistan, Jeevan Mendis will not be available for Sri Lanka due to hamstring injury. Others should be available for the game. With the game at MCG, and last performance from Perera, he will be retained in the XI. Jeevan Mendis was an all-rounder. Either he could be replaced by Sachithra Senanayake or considering it is MCG, it could be pacer Dushmantha Chameera.
Bangladesh could still retain the same team as that against Afghanistan. Eight batsmen and the three-man pace attack could give them the depth that they would require against Sri Lanka's formidable attack. Al-Amin Hossain will not be available for selection as he has been sent home after breaching team rules.
This would be the third match in MCG. In the past two games, the team batting first has scored 300 plus scores and the the opponents have not been able to chase the target under lights. So the same formula could come handy for the teams on Thursday.
Sri Lanka will also draw some confidence from the 32 - 4 record against Bangladesh in ODIs and the last time they lost to Bangladesh was in 2013. Another record that would come handy would be - they have never lost to them in a World Cup. But off late Sri Lanka have been winning against Bangladesh by only narrow margins. With the way some so-called lesser teams are performing in this tournament, Bangladesh will draw inspiration to win against Sri Lanka.
For Bangladesh, their stars Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mashrafe Mortaza were largely responsible for their win against Afghanistan. Bangladesh would expect the same performance against Sri Lanka as well. Expectation would be on Tamim Iqbal as well to contribute big.
From the team that played against Afghanistan, Jeevan Mendis will not be available for Sri Lanka due to hamstring injury. Others should be available for the game. With the game at MCG, and last performance from Perera, he will be retained in the XI. Jeevan Mendis was an all-rounder. Either he could be replaced by Sachithra Senanayake or considering it is MCG, it could be pacer Dushmantha Chameera.
This would be the third match in MCG. In the past two games, the team batting first has scored 300 plus scores and the the opponents have not been able to chase the target under lights. So the same formula could come handy for the teams on Thursday.
Having reached the third position on the table, Bangladesh would try to be there for the remaining of the group stage. Similarly Sri Lanka would be desperate to move up the table. Both of them could achieve this only if they win. So only one of them will move forward.
*Image: courtsey Star Sports
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