cricket
Ishan and Hardik propel India to 266 against Pakistan
A pair of fifties, courtesy of Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya, powered India to a total of 266 in 48.5 overs in their Asia Cup showdown against Pakistan on Saturday in Pallekele.
Shaheen Shah Afridi, with four wickets to his name, including two early dismissals of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, emerged as the standout performer for Pakistan, while Naseem Shah chipped in with three crucial wickets.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, India struggled to establish a solid foundation as Shaheen Shah Afridi swiftly removed Rohit and Virat, leaving them with just 28 runs on the scoreboard in a tense opening.
Also read: Predictions: Who will win Asia Cup 2023?
This ODI encounter marks the first showdown between these two archrivals since 2019, adding extra intensity to the rivalry on the grand stage.
Having already secured a victory in their inaugural Asia Cup match against Nepal on home soil, Pakistan is now seeking to continue their winning streak.
Also read: Asia Cup 2023 Fixtures: Team List, Schedule, and Venues
India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan (w), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.
Also read: Asia Cup 2023: Preview of Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI
Pakistan (Playing XI): Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (w), Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf
Bangladesh faces do-or-die battle against Afghanistan
Bangladesh's Asia Cup journey hangs in the balance as they prepare to take on Afghanistan. A victory is imperative to keep their hopes alive for advancing to the next round, while a defeat would spell their elimination from the tournament.
In what marks their first ODI appearance in Pakistan in 15 years, Bangladesh will face a critical showdown against Afghanistan in Lahore on Sunday. Their campaign started on a sour note with a dismal batting performance that led to a big defeat to Sri Lanka.
Also read: Bangladesh suffer thumping defeat in Asia Cup Vs. S Lanka
Following the match, Shakib Al Hasan squarely pointed the finger at the batters for theunfavourablee outcome.
As Bangladesh gears up to confront Afghanistan, the pivotal question looms: Can they stage a comeback in their batting, aligning with their strategic plan? Afghanistan, known for its rising prowess in limited-over cricket, boasts a deeper familiarity with Pakistan's conditions, possibly granting them an upper hand in Sunday's encounter.
The Bangladesh team arrived in Lahore on Friday night, completing a whirlwind journey across two countries in just three days to participate in two 50-over matches.
Bangladesh's head coach, Chandika Hathurusinghe, expressed concerns about the rigorous schedule potentially impacting their performance. Nevertheless, he acknowledged that both teams face the same demanding circumstances.
Also read: Asia Cup: Tigers depart for Pakistan
While Bangladesh has a historical advantage with eight wins in their 14 encounters against Afghanistan, the latter has demonstrated resilience and competence against their rivals. As the tigers chase their Asia Cup aspirations, Afghanistan stand as a formidable challenge that could potentially derail their campaign.
Also read: Asia Cup 2023: Preview of Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI
Bangladesh Asia Cup squad:
Anamul Haque Bijoy, Mohammad Naim, Mushfiqur Rahim, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Tanzid Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Afif Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shamim Hossain, Hasan Mahmud, Mustafizur Rahman, Nasum Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin AhmedAfghanistan Asia Cup Squad:
Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Ibrahim Zadran, Ikram Alikhil, Najibullah Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (†), Riaz Hassan, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi, Rahmat Shah, Rashid Khan, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Abdul Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mohammad Saleem, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad.
Shaheen Dismisses Rohit and Virat Early as India Bat First in Asia Cup Clash vs Pakistan
In a highly anticipated Asia Cup showdown on Saturday in Pallekele, Shaheen Shah Afridi made a significant impact by swiftly removing Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and their star batter, Virat Kohli, after India's decision to take the batting position.
In a tense opening, India stumbled, losing two crucial wickets with just 28 runs on the scoreboard.
This marks the ODI encounter between these two archrivals since 2019, intensifying the rivalry on the grand stage.
Read: Pakistan vs India 1st ODI in Asia Cup 2023: Match Preview
Having already secured a victory in their inaugural Asia Cup match against Nepal on home soil, Pakistan is looking to maintain their winning momentum.
Meanwhile, India is commencing their campaign with this high-stakes match, setting the stage for a gripping battle of cricketing giants.
India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan(w), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
Pakistan (Playing XI): Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam(c), Mohammad Rizwan(w), Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf.
Read more: Asia Cup: Tigers depart for Pakistan
Pakistan vs India 1st ODI in Asia Cup 2023: Match Preview
The India-Pakistan cricket rivalry demonstrates how passionate people can get over their favourite sports. It's not just about playing a game, but it also represents a long story of history and culture that brings people together and sometimes separates them. Numerous cricket fans in South Asia and around the world are waiting to watch matches between India and Pakistan in the ongoing Asia Cup ODI tournament. The first India vs Pakistan ODI match in the Asia Cup 2023 will take place on September 2 at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium at 3:30 pm (Bangladesh time). Let’s take a look at the match preview.
Preview of PAK vs IND 1st ODI match in the 2023 Asia Cup
Pakistan had a really great beginning in the Asia Cup 2023 tournament. They chose to go first and bat against Nepal in Multan in their first match. They scored 342 runs from 6 wickets. The team's captain, Babar Azam, scored 151 runs from 131 balls, and Iftikhar Ahmed scored an impressive 109 not out from 71 balls. After that, when Nepal was batting, Pakistan's bowlers did a fantastic job and managed to get all of Nepal's players out for just 104 runs. This led to Pakistan winning the match by a big margin of 238 runs.
Iftikhar Ahmed proved that he can be really good at batting when he comes to play later in the lineup. And then there's Mohammad Rizwan, too, who should be able to make the middle order of the lineup more steady and strong.
Right now, Pakistan has the most dangerous group of fast bowlers in the world. The three of them — Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf — have been really strong on all types of cricket pitches. They're going to be a big challenge for India's batters. We think they might be able to get a few of India's top players out early in the game, even before the first powerplay is finished.
India has a lot to show as they start their journey towards the ODI World Cup 2023. The Asia Cup will help the team get used to playing well and gaining some good energy. In the past seasons, India couldn't always play with their best team because many important players were often injured or needed rest. But this time, they have a really strong lineup that covers most of the important areas. Sadly, KL Rahul is still recovering from a small injury and won't be playing in the first two matches. Ishan Kishan will probably take his place in the team.
Read more: Prospects of Bangladesh in 2023 Asia Cup ODI Tournament
India vs Pakistan Head to Head in Asia Cup So Far
India and Pakistan have played against each other 13 times in the men's ODI Asia Cup. India has a bit of an advantage because they've won seven out of those 13 matches. In the last Asia Cup ODI version, which was in 2018, the teams faced each other twice, and India won both times. The current captain of the Indian team, Rohit Sharma, probably remembers those two matches happily because he scored fifty runs in one and a hundred in the other.
They have played against each other three times in Sri Lanka during the tournament's history. Each team won one game, and one game didn't end in a result.
Probable Playing XI for Pakistan
Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf.
Probable Playing XI for India
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Warm-up Schedule: Full fixture list, match timings and venues
Pakistani Players to Watch
Babar Azam
He has been doing really well in all kinds of cricket. And he has started the Asia Cup really impressively. Just this year, Babar has played 12 ODIs and has scored a total of 689 runs. His average score is around 57, which is really good, and he has a strike rate of 87, which means he is hitting the ball well. He has even scored two centuries and six fifties.
Fakhar Zaman
Fakhar Zaman, who is one of the opening players in the team, is also someone who can make a big difference in the game if he starts playing well. Zaman has done really well against India in the past and has been playing really nicely recently. In his last 10 matches, he has scored a total of 523 runs. On average, he scores about 58 runs in each match, and his strike rate is around 92, which means he's playing quite fast and aggressively.
Read more: Asia Cup: Tigers depart for Pakistan
Indian Players to Watch
Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli is going to be the key player to keep an eye on once again. He has been playing really well this year and has scored a total of 427 runs in 10 ODIs. On average, he scores around 53 runs in each match, which is really good. He has even scored two centuries (100 or more runs in a single game) and one fifty. Against Pakistan, he usually scores about 49 runs on average, and it wouldn't be surprising if he delivers another amazing performance, considering his skills as a great batter.
Rohit Sharma
Another player who can really change the game is Rohit Sharma. He is the captain of the Indian team. Against Pakistan, he usually scored around 51 runs on average over 16 ODIs. He has scored two centuries and six fifties in those matches. Even though he has not been playing his best in ODIs recently, we are hoping that Rohit will play a significant and impactful innings in this important match.
Final Words
India has done well against Pakistan in recent years in the ODIs. They have won four out of the last five matches they played against Pakistan. But the current Pakistan team is much better and they won't be easy to defeat. With Babar Azam playing so well and their strong bowling attack, they will be a tough challenge for India. The Indian team looks strong on paper, but many of their players are coming back from injuries. Because of this, they might not be at their best, and they could have some trouble facing Pakistan's fast bowlers, who are really good.
On the other hand, Pakistan has been playing in Sri Lanka for the past few weeks and has built great winning momentum. Unless Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli, who are important players for India, play really well, India might find it hard to beat Pakistan, who are currently the top team in ODIs.
Not to mention, the ODI match between India and Pakistan in the 2023 Asia Cup will be thrilling and enjoyable once again.
Read more: Predictions: Who will win Asia Cup 2023?
Asia Cup: Tigers depart for Pakistan
The Bangladesh national cricket team has set off from Sri Lanka to Pakistan to participate in their pivotal encounter against Afghanistan in the ongoing Asia Cup, set to take place in Lahore.
Bangladesh faced a disheartening loss in their first match against Sri Lanka, where they succumbed by a substantial margin of five wickets. This makes their upcoming clash with Afghanistan a do-or-die scenario.
The looming threat of elimination from the Asia Cup hangs heavy over Bangladesh. Should they face defeat in their second match scheduled for September 3rd, Afghanistan will secure their place in the Super Fours. Conversely, a triumph will keep Bangladesh's hopes alive in the tournament.
Najmul Hossain Shanto, the sole batter who exhibited resilience in their first match against Sri Lanka's formidable bowling attack, remains optimistic about their chances of advancing.
"We still believe it," he asserted. "But, for now, we should concentrate solely on the next match. We’ll think about other things after that match."
Shanto also expressed his dissatisfaction with the condition of the pitch in the first match, expressing the team's anticipation of a more favorable sporting wicket in the Asia Cup.
However, the captain of the Bangladesh team attributed their defeat to the performance of the batters. He lauded the bowlers for fulfilling their roles efficiently despite the meager total on the scoreboard.
According to the captain, it falls upon the batters to elevate their performance in the second match and revive their aspirations of reaching the Super Fours.
The Bangladesh team is scheduled to arrive in Lahore by Friday evening, where they will engage in a training session on Saturday.
Bangladesh suffer thumping defeat in Asia Cup Vs. S Lanka
Bangladesh encountered a resounding six-wicket defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka in their inaugural match of the Asia Cup on Thursday in Kandy.
Opting to bat first, Bangladesh crumbled to 164 runs for the loss of all wickets in 42.4 overs.
In response, Sri Lanka adeptly chased down the target with six wickets to spare in 39 overs.
While Bangladesh displayed commendable fielding, their meager total proved insufficient to mount a formidable challenge against the hosts.
Bangladesh captain, Shakib Al Hasan, in a post match briefing attributed the defeat to the batting line-up, squarely placing the responsibility on the shoulders of the batters.
"While it wasn't a wicket that promised 300 runs, we needed a minimum of 220-230 runs on the board to give them a formidable fight," he said. "The bowlers performed admirably, but our runs were inadequate."
Matheesha Pathirana emerged as the chief tormentor, clinching four wickets as Bangladesh chose to bat first. Collaborating with fellow bowlers, he made it an arduous task for Bangladesh to maintain a steady scoring pace.
Najmul Hossain Shanto stood out as the sole Bangladeshi batter who demonstrated resilience in the middle. He managed to compile 89 runs off 122 deliveries. However, his teammates failed to provide meaningful support.
Debutant opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim faced a swift reality check with a two-ball duck, while Mohammad Naim, the other opener, struggled to surmount the initial hurdle.
Najmul's arrival at the crease, batting at number three, aimed to anchor one end. Yet, from the other end, the batters arrived and departed hastily, leaving a trail of disappointment in the dressing room.
Shakib’s contribution remained limited to five runs, and though Mushfiqur Rahim and Towhid Hridoy reached double-digit scores, they faltered to sustain their innings. Ultimately, Bangladesh stumbled, tallying a meager 164 runs.
In response, Sri Lanka encountered an early setback, losing two quick wickets to Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam's well-timed breakthroughs. However, this did not deter their journey towards victory.
Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis were swiftly dismissed after scoring 1 and 5 runs respectively. Nevertheless, Sadeera Samarawickrama and Charith Asalanka both notched half-centuries, leaving Bangladesh frustrated.
Shakib secured two wickets, while Taskin, Shoriful Islam, and Mahedi Hasan each claimed one wicket.
The victory marked Sri Lanka's 11th consecutive win in ODIs, in stark contrast to Bangladesh's third defeat in their last six matches.
Samarawickrama, who hit a half-century, acknowledged the challenging nature of the pitch but emphasized his self-belief and determination to persist. "I had faith in my abilities," he declared. "Despite losing two early wickets, we remained steadfast in our approach, we knew the importance of building partnerships."
Following this setback, Bangladesh's prospects of advancing to the Super Fours of the Asia Cup hinge on their performance in the forthcoming match against Afghanistan and the outcome of the match between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. Bangladesh is set to face Afghanistan on September 3rd in Lahore.
Asia Cup: Bangladesh opt to bat first vs Sri Lanka
In their first clash of the Asia Cup, Bangladesh's captain Shakib Al Hasan has won the toss and elected to take the batting against Sri Lanka in Kandy.
Bangladesh included Tanzid Hasan Tamim in the playing XI. The uncapped left-handed batter got his chance as Litton Das, the regular opener, caught a fever and failed to make it to the Asia Cup.
Bangladesh has squared off against Sri Lanka 13 times in Asia Cup ODIs, emerging victorious on just two occasions.
Read: Asia Cup 2023: Preview of Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI
However, these statistics fail to capture the intensity of the rivalry between the two nations. Since the Nidahad Trophy in 2018, held in Sri Lanka, the contest between these two Asian cricketing powerhouses has ascended to new heights.
Yet, on the brink of another showdown in the Asia Cup, the captains from both sides are firmly focused on the present.
Shakib Al Hasan, leading the Bangladesh team, emphasized their commitment to delivering a display of quality cricket for both fans and broadcasters. Meanwhile, Dasun Shanaka, at the helm of the Sri Lankan side, expressed a sentiment of camaraderie and mutual respect between his team and the Bangladeshi cricketers.
Read: Asia Cup 2023: Preview of Pakistan vs Nepal 1st ODI
Bangladesh (Playing XI): Mohammad Naim, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Shakib Al Hasan(c), Mushfiqur Rahim(w), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman
Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis(w), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka(c), Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana
Tigers Set to Commence Asia Cup Campaign Against Sri Lanka on Thursday
Bangladesh is poised to commence their Asia Cup journey with a faceoff against Sri Lanka in Kandy on Thursday.
Leading up to the Asia Cup, Bangladesh was dealt a dual blow with the loss of key bowler Ebadot Hossain and top-order batter Litton Das, both ruled out due to injuries.
Read: Asia Cup 2023: Preview of Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI
Ebadot underwent surgery for a knee injury sustained during an ODI against Afghanistan earlier this year at home. Meanwhile, Litton was unable to secure a spot in the squad due to a bout of fever.
However, the newly inducted captain of Bangladesh’s ODI team remains unperturbed by the absentees. The captain expressed full confidence in securing a berth in the Super Fours with the current lineup.
Replacing Ebadot is Tanzim Hasan Sakib, an uncapped player. In an unexpected move, the Bangladeshi selectors included Anamul Haque Bijoy to fill the void left by Litton.
Read: Litton Das Ruled out of First Match Due to Fever
While Sakib's inclusion was rational, Anamul's selection raised eyebrows. He wasn't part of the contingent undergoing training under the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) program to provide backup players when needed.
Describing Litton's absence as a significant loss, Bangladesh captain Shakib commented, "He consistently performed well for us over the past few years. However, this presents a golden opportunity for someone else, who I'm confident will seize it."
As for Anamul's inclusion, Shakib cited the logic of a right-hand-left-hand combination at the top of the order. Zakir, who was training with the backup players, appeared as the natural choice, given Litton's illness. Yet, selectors opted for Anamul, citing the need for a wicketkeeper.
“Both Anamul and Litton bat in the top-order. In case something happens to Mushfiqur Rahim during the game, like a concussion or a minor injury, forcing him out of keeping, we needed coverage,” Shakib added.
Read: Bangladesh Cricket Team Departs for Asia Cup Without Liton Das
Shakib emphasized excelling in all facets of the game rather than fixating on a single position.
Since the notable Nidahas Trophy in 2018, Bangladesh's rivalry with Sri Lanka has intensified. Shakib, however, described the atmosphere in the dressing room as more composed. "While not a rivalry, we deliver impressive cricket when these two nations compete. It's a positive display for both the crowd and broadcasters."
Bangladesh has emerged as a formidable 50-over side. Despite India and Pakistan frequently being named as top contenders for the Asia Cup, the captain remains unfazed by such considerations.
Bangladesh boasts a record of nine victories in 51 ODIs against Sri Lanka. In recent years, they've become potent challengers. Still, Shakib recognizes the difficulty of playing against Sri Lanka on their home turf.
Read: Bangladesh aim a Super Fours berth in Asia Cup
The match is scheduled to commence at 3:30 pm (Dhaka time). It will be broadcast live on T-Sports, as well as on the OTT platform Toffee and the smartphone app MyGP.
Bangladesh Asia Cup squad: Shakib Al Hasan (Captain), Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Mahedi Hasan, Mohammad Naim, Shamim Hossain, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Anamul Haque Bijoy//
Asia Cup 2023: Preview of Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI
The 2023 Asia Cup is in full swing, and now it’s time for the Group B matches to begin. Two strong teams from South Asia, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, are getting ready to face each other. The Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka match will take place on August 31 at 3:30 pm at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy. While the Bangladesh team is aiming to win their first-ever Asia Cup, the Sri Lankan side is the second most successful team after India. However, Bangladesh have good records against Sri Lanka in recent matches. Let’s see more in this BAN vs SL 1st ODI Asia Cup 2023 match preview.
Preview of Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka Asia Cup 2023 ODI
Banglades selected a team of 17 players two weeks ago. Among them, five players – Tawhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, and Tanzim Hasan Sakib – were part of the Under-19 World Cup-winning team in 2020. Ebadot Hossain was initially included in the squad, but he won’t be able to play due to a lingering injury. Unfortunately, the 29-year-old fast bowler had to withdraw from the tournament. On the other hand, experienced all-rounder Mahmudullah, despite taking part in the preliminary fitness camp, has once again not been included in the Bangladesh team.
Litton Das was supposed to go to Sri Lanka later as he was suffering from viral fever. But he was ruled out of the Asia Cup 2023 as he is not fit yet and has no chance to play in any of the matches. Hence, the Bangladesh Cricket Board needed to do a swift reshuffle in the Bangladesh squad. Anamul Haque Bijoy has been included in the team as Litton’s replacement. With a wealth of experience under his belt, Anamul has participated in 44 ODIs, amassing a total of 1254 runs, which includes three centuries. His most recent appearance in a Bangladesh ODI was in December 2022 when he took on India on the cricket field.
The Sri Lankan team had to make changes to their original Asia Cup squad because of injuries to Dilshan Madhushanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Lahiru Kumara. This is a major setback for Sri Lanka’s bowling team because these four players are really important for the head coach Chris Silverwood’s plans and strategies to win. The team is currently facing fitness issues with these players, and that’s why they haven’t yet chosen new players to replace them or officially declared the final squad.
Read more: Prospects of Bangladesh in 2023 Asia Cup ODI Tournament
Bangladesh’s Probable XI
Anamul Haque Bijoy, Mohammad Naim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman.
Sri Lanka’s Probable XI
Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis (wk), Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sahan Arachchige, Dasun Shanaka, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana and Kasun Rajitha.
Read more: Asia Cup 2023 Fixtures: Team List, Schedule, and Venues
Recent Performance of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka
After winning 2-0 in a series against Ireland on foreign soil, the Bangladesh cricket team came back home in June 2023 to play a three-match ODI series against Afghanistan. However, things didn’t go well for the Tigers in this series. They faced a painful defeat on their home ground, losing both of the first matches. Bangladesh’s previous Asia Cup journey was also disappointing. In the last tournament, they couldn’t even win a single match in the group stage, which led to their elimination.
In contrast, Sri Lanka had a really good time in the 2022 Asia Cup. They did very well and became the champions of this important tournament for the first time since 2014. The Sri Lankan team’s most recent 50-over match was in July 2023, when they went to Zimbabwe to take part in the ICC World Cup Qualifiers. They won this qualification title convincingly by beating the Netherlands by 128 runs, and they were unbeatable throughout the tournament.
Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka: Head to Head Records So Far
Both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are seen as top teams in one-day international cricket these days. However, when they have played against each other, Sri Lanka were usually much stronger. Sri Lanka have been clearly in control against Bangladesh, winning 40 times. While Bangladesh have shown improvement in recent times, they have won only 10 out of the 51 matches they have played against Sri Lanka.
Read more: Asia Cup 2023: Six Players in Bangladesh ODI Squad to Watch
Key Players of BAN vs SL 1st ODI Match in the 2023 Asia Cup
Shakib Al Hasan
The Bangladesh team still depends a lot on this experienced all-rounder because of his remarkable skills. Despite being 36 years old, he was among the top 5 players for both runs scored and wickets taken in the series against Afghanistan. He was the only Bangladeshi bowler who managed to take at least one wicket in all three matches.
The Bangladesh team has many young players, especially in the batting lineup. So, it’s going to be crucial for the captain to bring stability to the team’s performance in the middle of the game. And Shakib is fully capable of that.
Maheesh Theekshana
With the star leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga not available, the responsibility of leading Sri Lanka’s spin attack will fall on the shoulders of this 23-year-old off-break bowler.
Read more: Asia Cup 2023: Analysis of Bangladesh ODI Squad
Theekshana had a fantastic performance in the ICC World Cup Qualifiers. He took 21 wickets in just 8 matches, making him the second-most successful bowler in the tournament. His average was really low at 12.19 runs per wicket. He even achieved a hat-trick of 4-wicket hauls in the final match against the Netherlands. He had previously accomplished this against Zimbabwe and West Indies as well.
Who Will Win?
Sri Lanka’s challenge in putting together their best bowling lineup could give Bangladesh’s batting team a chance to go on the offensive. But even with this, Sri Lanka is in a good position with a higher chance of winning. They have the advantage of being in good form and playing on their home ground.
Final Words
Sri Lanka are the current champion of the Asia Cup. Lately, Sri Lanka have been doing really well in ODI cricket. They performed incredibly well in the ICC Men’s World Cup Qualifiers, where they didn’t lose any matches and ended up winning the tournament. Because of this, the Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh match will be highly competitive, as the Bangladesh team is also in good form. Although Bangladesh came from a 2-1 loss against Afghanistan, the Tigers seem to be confident before leaving for Asia Cup 2023.
Read more: Predictions: Who will win Asia Cup 2023?
Anamul included in Bangladesh’s Asia Cup squad as Litton ruled out
Bangladesh's opening batsman, Litton Das, has been ruled out of the ACC Asia Cup 2023 due to an unfortunate bout of viral fever. His absence has prompted a swift reshuffle in the Bangladesh squad, with Anamul Haque Bijoy stepping in as his replacement.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed the development on Wednesday morning (August 30, 2023).
The opener's inability to travel to Sri Lanka with the Tigers’ Asia Cup squad and his ongoing struggle to overcome the lingering fever have ultimately led to his withdrawal from the much-awaited competition.
Litton Das Ruled out of First Match Due to Fever
The National Selection Panel of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has called upon Anamul, a 30-year-old right-handed batter, to fill the void left by Litton.
An experienced campaigner, Anamul boasts an impressive track record, having featured in 44 ODIs and accumulating 1254 runs, including three centuries. His latest appearance in an ODI match for Bangladesh dates back to December last year when he faced India on the field.
Asia Cup 2023: Preview of Pakistan vs Nepal 1st ODI
Minhajul Abedin, Chairman of BCB’s National Selection Panel, shared insights into the thought process behind Anamul’s selection. "He (Anamul) has been in the runs in domestic cricket, and we have continued to monitor him in the Bangladesh Tigers programme. He was always in our consideration," Minhajul remarked.
Minhajul went on to explain, "Due to Litton’s unavailability, we needed a top-order batter who could keep wicket, and Anamul got the nod."
Bangladesh will take on Sri Lanka on August 31 in their opening Asia Cup match in Kandy. Following that, they will travel to Pakistan to play their second Asia Cup match against Afghanistan.
ICC World Cup 2023 Warm-up Schedule: Full fixture list, match timings and venues
Bangladesh squad for 2023 Asia Cup:
Shakib Al Hasan (Captain), Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Mahedi Hasan, Mohammad Naim, Shamim Hossain, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Anamul Haque Bijoy