Plenty of restore work to be performed for each Bangladesh and Sri Lanka

Big Picture: Problems to handle for each groups

This will not be the must-win situation both aspect would have envisioned in direction of the tail-end of this match, however the ICC’s affirmation that the highest seven finishers (and hosts Pakistan) will acquire qualification for the 2025 Champions Trophy has given what would have been a largely inconsequential sport some a lot wanted goal.

Both sides’ troubles are effectively documented. Since their opening sport win in opposition to Afghanistan, Bangladesh have misplaced six on the trot. Only England have a worse report, and Bangladesh have misplaced to them too. For a aspect that had received 24 of 39 ODIs because the begin of 2021, this has been probably the most underwhelming of tournaments, particularly in circumstances that on the face of it seemed prefer it might need suited them.

The unsettling of a settled batting order may very well be pinpointed as one of many key causes for this downturn in fortunes. They shall be hoping to regain sufficient misplaced floor to beat a Sri Lankan aspect that has its personal set of points.

Sri Lanka, for his or her half, have performed what they’ve all the time performed – a minimum of within the current previous – mixing in brilliance with despair, jubilation with fatalism. Whichever manner you splice it, this was an undercooked Sri Lanka aspect a minimum of by way of ODIs – one geared in direction of a T20-style and rediscovering its ODI bearings. It was additionally one seemingly caught up in muddled pondering.

“I want them to be aggressive to be honest,’ stated head coach Chris Silverwood prior to their defeat to India, and after an oddly timid display against Afghanistan. “I need them to play their sport and clearly do issues their manner however have a optimistic mindset.”

All sound in theory, but words that were betrayed by the fact that their sole aggressive opening option – Kusal Perera – was dropped for both losses to Afghanistan and India, in favour of the conservative Dimuth Karunaratne. Whether they stick with that will almost certainly speak towards the approach they’re likely to take.

And this is all without getting into the crux of the off-field issues, where the fallout from their campaign has seen a public back-and-forth between the country’s sports minister and Sri Lanka Cricket, while there have been questions posed of the impact of the coaching staff and whispers of a selection committee shake-up. Hardly ideal when trying to play fearless, aggressive cricket.

Recent kind

Bangladesh – LLLLL (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Sri Lanka – LLWWL

In the spotlight: Mushfiqur Rahim and Dilshan Madushanka

Mushfiqur Rahim started this tournament at No. 6, a position he had played in for the previous seven months, though not one he had occupied for the five years prior to that. But with just 171 runs at 28.50 across this tournament, he is now back at his favoured No. 4 slot. Of his 7577 ODI runs, 4372 have come at four, while his average in that role of 42.03 is a significant uptick from his career average of 36.78 and the 37.35 he was producing at six. This may have been largely a World Cup to forget for Mushfiqur but now back in a familiar role against familiar opposition, Bangladesh will be banking on him to help end their tournament on a high.

Sri Lanka’s tournament might have been one largely to forget, but you don’t have to strain hard for the silver linings. Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama are a couple of positives, but it’s Dilshan Madushanka that has firmly left his mark. In seven games, he’s picked up 18 wickets – the second best in the tournament so far – and gone wicketless just once, taking at least two in every other game including a maiden five-for against India – a game in which his impact trumped that of an attack that ransacked their opponents for just 55. His list of victims is already a veritable list of modern-day greats, and he’s still only 23.

Team news: Kusal Perera back?

Bangladesh rejigged their batting order against Pakistan and it’s likely to stay the same.

Bangladesh (probable): 1 Litton Das, 2 Tanzid Hasan, 3 Najmul Hossain Shanto, 4 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk) 5 Mahmudullah, 6 Shakib Al Hasan (capt), 7 Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 8 Towhid Hridoy , 9 Taskin Ahmed, 10 Mustafizur Rahman, 11 Shoriful Islam.

Sri Lanka might opt to bring Perera back into the fold after Karunaratne failed to impress in his stead. Dushan Hemantha could also make way for Dunith Wellalage if Sri Lanka opt for more batting strength.

Sri Lanka (probable): 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Kusal Perera/Dimuth Karunaratne, 3 Kusal Mendis (capt, wk) 4 Sadeera Samarawickrama, 5 Charith Asalanka, 6 Angelo Mathews 7 Dushan Hemantha 8 Maheesh Theekshana, 9 Kasun Rajitha, 10 Dushmantha Chameera 11 Dilshan Madushanka

Pitch and conditions

The top two highest scores at Kotla have come during this World Cup, and Sri Lanka will be keenly aware of the nature of this surface having leaked 428 runs against South Africa last month.

The overall weather conditions in Delhi though have worsened since then, with both sides cancelling scheduled practice sessions over the past few days owing to poor air quality. Any call on the match perhaps not taking place will only be taken on the day of the game.

Stats and trivia

  • Dilshan Madushanka is 5 wickets away from equalling Chaminda Vaas and Muthiah Muralidaran – 23 – for probably the most wickets by a Sri Lankan in a World Cup. He at present is degree with Lasith Malinga on 18.
  • Of lively gamers, Shakib Al Hasan has the fourth most runs in ODI World Cups with 1250, and probably the most of any Bangladesh participant.
  • Shakib’s 41 World Cup wickets is the second-most taken by a spinner. Muralidaran has probably the most with 68.

Quotes

“Our doctor has kept a close eye on players. Some of the players didn’t turn up for practice because they are asthmatic so they stayed in indoors. And even for practice, we’re very conscious. We train what we have to train, and they go back into the dressing room. They don’t spend time unless they’re bowling or batting.”
Chandika Hathurusinghe, Bangladesh’s head coach, on the measures they’ve taken to fight the air air pollution in Delhi

Source web site: www.espncricinfo.com

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