Match Preview: Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh - Match 11

Match Preview: Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh - Match 11

Date: 14 November, 2018

Venue: Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, St. Lucia

Sri Lanka currently have one point after their first match against England was abandoned. They then lost to South Africa in their second match of the tournament. Sri Lanka now faces off against the only other Asian team in its group, Bangladesh. Bangladesh are yet to register a win in this World Twenty-20. They have lost to both England and West Indies so, they will be looking to turn their fortunes around by winning against Sri Lanka, as they did in the Asia Cup. Now, Sri Lanka will come back with a vengeance, to set the record straight.

 

Players to Watch Out For:

Ayasha Rahman (Bangladesh)

Role: Top-order batter

T20I's: 40

Batting Stats: Runs- 566; Average- 14.51; Strike Rate- 72.37; Best- 46

In an otherwise disappointing performance with the bat by Bangladesh, Rahman stood out. She not only top-scored for her side but, scored the most runs across both innings in their match against England. She put in a mature performance with the bat, anchoring her sides innings with a patient 52-ball-39. Her knock included two fours and three maximums. Bangladesh will need her to keep playing like this if they are to get off to a strong start.

 

Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka)

Role: All-rounder

T20I’s: 69

Batting Stats: Runs- 1165; Average- 17.38; Strike Rate: 92.24; Best 52

Bowling Stats: Wickets-14; Average-32.72; Economy- 6.40; Best- 2/23

Though the Sri Lankan skipper has struggled with her form lately, she needs to lead her side from the front. With Sri Lanka's batting line-up not firing, Athapththu needs to rally her troops, motivate them and show them how to do well. Much of Sri Lanka's batting relies on Athapaththu and she needs to set a solid foundation for her sides innings during the Power Play so her team can build on that and derive confidence from her performance.

 

Who Said What

"Generally enjoying cricket, but I think we can play better cricket, smarter cricket. I think the wicket here is good and hopefully we can do better."- Salma Khatun

"But our main target is match play, match play, win the matches. Just focus for the next match, that's it. If we won, we can go through to the semifinals."- Chamari Athapththu

 

Conditions: 

The pitch in St. Lucia looks to be a slow one. Due to rain, the outfield is damp and therefore slow as well. There does seem to something in it for the pacers, though. Batters will need to take their time and settle in before they accelerate.

 

Probable XI

Bangladesh: Shamima Sultana (wk), Ayasha Rahman, Fargana Hoque, Nigar Sultana, Rumana Ahmed, Sanjida Islam, Lata Mondal, Jahanara Alam, Fahima Khatun, Salma Khatun (C), Khadija tul Kubra

Sri Lanka: Chamari Athapaththu (c), Yashoda Mendis, Hasini Perera, Shashikala Siriwardena, Dilani Manodara (wk), Eshani Lokusooriyage, Oshadhi Ranasinghe, Nilakshi De Silva, Sripali Weerakkody, Udeshika Prabodani, Sugandika Kumari