Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by five wickets in T20 World Cup
Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bowl first in their T20 World Cup clash against Bangladesh on Sunday although they will be without key spinner Maheesh Theekshana.
Theekshana claimed eight wickets in three qualifying matches as Sri Lanka, the 2014 champions, swept into the Super 12 stage.
The 21-year-old has been suffering with a back injury and his place in the starting line-up goes to left-arm seamer Binura Fernando.
“After the IPL, it seems the wickets are keeping down a bit,” said Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka.
Bangladesh have chosen the opposite strategy by replacing fast bowler Taskin Ahmed with left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed.
“We would have liked to bat first,” said Bangladesh captain Mahmudullah Riyad.
“We need to adapt to the conditions. Hopefully, it’s a good one to bat on.”
Bangladesh also had to come through qualifying where they were defeated by Scotland in their opener.
Teams
Sri Lanka: Kusal Perera (wkt), Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (capt), Chamika Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Kumara, Binura Fernando
Maheesh Theekshana has been left out of the squad due to injury.
Bangladesh: Liton Das, Mohammad Naim, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad (capt), Afif Hossain, Nurul Hasan (wkt), Mahedi Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman
Umpires: Adrian Holdstock (RSA) and Joel Wilson (WIS)
TV Umpire: Michael Gough (ENG)
Match Referee: Javagal Srinath (IND)
Match Updates
At the end of 10 overs, Bangladesh are 72 for 2 wickets.
Bangladesh posted 171/4.
Sri Lanka chased down 172 in 19 overs and won the match by 5 wickets.
Sri Lanka defeated Bangladesh by five wickets in a feisty T20 World Cup clash on Sunday, hammering home their status as surprise contenders for the title.
Chasing an imposing target of 172, the 2014 champions saw Charith Asalanka (80 not out) and Bhanuka Rajapaksa (53) lead them to victory for a fourth successive win after three triumphs in the qualifying round.
Earlier, Mushfiqur Rahim, with an undefeated 57 and opener Mohammad Naim, who hit 62, starred for the Tigers in the Super 12 game.
England, Australia, South Africa and West Indies are the other teams in the group from where the top two will make the semi-finals.
