🏏 Asia Cup 2025: Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh, Super Four, Match 1 Dubai🏏 - Page 3

Rivalries get forgotten briefly in a multi-nation tournament. A couple of days ago, Bangladesh were praying for a Sri Lankan win. Today, the rivalry will be reignited as Bangladesh are set to play in Dubai for the first time in this tourney. They were clinical against Hong Kong, got blown away by SL and then won a close game against Afghanistan. They made four changes to their playing XI for the Afghanistan game but they had just four frontline bowlers. Will they tinker the winning combination?

We are dreaming to see the same type of competitive spirit from our players in Asia Cup.

Sri Lanka are one of the two unbeaten sides in the competition. Their campaign kickstarted with a convincing 6-wicket win against today's opponents. They survived a scare against Hong Kong before acing a tricky run-chase against Afghanistan. Three successful chases in as many matches and the most pleasing part would have been their batting clicking in the previous match despite Pathum Nissanka's failure. While the top-order has done the bulk of the scoring for them in the recent past, their middle-order had a good outing against Afghanistan. Can Dasun Shanaka join the party as well? It'll be interesting to see what they do with their bowling. Dunith Wellalage, who returned home to pay his last respects to his late father, has rejoined the team. But Sri Lanka could bring Maheesh Theekshana in place of him.

Grace Harris to Kaur, FOUR, good length outside off, enough width for Harmanpreet who camps back and cuts it through backward point. With that , Harman celebrated her 50 and 8000 runs!

Now Smriti hit another six! What a match it is!!

Harmanpreet struggling with cramps? The physio rushes out to the centre to treat the Indian skipper.

Kim Garth to Kaur, out Lbw!! Kaur lbw b Kim Garth 52(35) [4s-8]

Kim Garth to Kaur, THATS OUT!! Lbw!!

After a brief delay, Harmanpreet Kaur has been given out lbw

Grace Harris to Mandhana, out Caught by Gardner!! Mandhana c Gardner b Grace Harris 125(63) [4s-17 6s-5]

Grace Harris to Mandhana, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

The target is huge and now it seems, it will be difficult to chase.

It is toss time.

Litton Das won the toss and selected to bowl first!

Charith Asalanka: We would have done the same thing. It's a used pitch. Lot of young players have come into the side since 2021 and are maturing. We are going with the same team.

Litton Das: We'll bowl first. When I saw the first leg, all the matches were won by the teams batting second. Also, unsure about the pitch. We are excited to play the game. Two changes. Sohan and Rishad not playing.

Bangladesh have won the toss and have opted to field

Pitch Report: Average first innings score is 151. Looks a bit drier. The captains looked at the track record. Chasing becomes easier if dew comes into play. 12m is a big difference, tactical calls have to be taken. Plenty of spinners will be in action.

Teams:

Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka(c), Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara

Bangladesh (Playing XI): Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Litton Das(w/c), Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali, Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman