Asia Cup 2010: Preview of Sri Lanka vs. Bangladesh
The reigning champions got off to the perfect start as they withstood a brutal assault by ‘BOOM BOOM’ Afridi in the tournament opener, and are now aiming to book their place in the final of the continental cup as they prepare to take on Asia’s favourite whipping boys Bangladesh tomorrow.
The Bangladeshi tigers were anything but tigers, as they caved in without a whimper in their opening match of the tournament against India.
Despite a brilliant start, the minnows collapsed spectacularly, crashing to 167 all out from a seemingly solid position of 81 for one, inside the first 14 overs.
It was another occasion when the top order for Bangladesh reminded us of their abilities with the bat through some stunning stroke play at the top of the innings, yet for the umpteenth time, it was a flash in the pan.
Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayees and Mohammad Ashraful were the culprits throwing away their wickets after playing some handsome strokes.
However, their impatience is baffling to say the least and after a heavy dose of T20 cricket, they consider the 50-over format very much to their liking, surrendering abjectly after having the opposition on the mat.
The tigers would be kicking themselves in the back after giving the innocuous off-spinner Virender Sehwag some extra-ordinary figures of four wickets for six runs.
After being bowled out for a meagre total, Bangladesh was never in the hunt, and the Indians cantered home albeit losing four wickets in their 168 run chase.
The next challenge is to tame the Lankan lions, and the task is cut out for the minnows in Dambulla which is fast becoming the kingdom of Sri Lankan cricket. The hosts have won a staggering 18 out of the 25 matches that they have played at the venue.
The hosts would starts as overwhelming favourites on Friday. Their strength lies in their bowling attack that has tremendous variety and depth in the form of Lasith Malinga who took five wickets in the opener against Pakistan. Farveez Mahroof, seamer Angelo Matthews and the irresistible king of spin Muttiah Muralitharan.
On the other hand, the batting line-up includes Dilshan, captain Sangakkara and the richly experienced Mahela Jayawardene.
The trio is in good form who have played a key role in the win against Pakistan, especially Sangakkara and Jayawardene who added 85 runs for the third wicket partnership, setting up a 16 run win for the hosts.
The Sri Lankans have an impressive record against the minnows and only a huge dip in form can hurt them in the match tomorrow.
The Bangladeshis have their task cut out and if they are harbouring any hopes of making it to their first ever Asia cup final, they would have to focus on the job at hand and somehow chalk out a plan of staying at the wicket and post a total in the region of 250.
The wicket provides a lot of assistance to the bowlers under the lights and a reasonable score can certainly enhance their chance of pulling off a shock win over the hosts.
More importantly, it is the case of putting mind above matter for the tigers as they have the potential to play an attacking brand of cricket, but consistency has been their bane over the years.
The time is running out fast for them, and they need to galvanise their skills and potential into one fighting unit that can do the trick for the cricket mad nation, that is hoping for a change in fortunes of their beloved national team.
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