Bangladesh starts its Asia Cup mission 2023 against a little depleted Sri Lanka at Pale Kelle in a few hours from now in their first match of group B. It will be an acid test of team tigers formed on head coach Chandrika Hathurusingha prescription for favoring relatively new players over tried and tested experienced veterans. Nothing but a win will secure the advancement to the next round of group of four.
If Bangladesh fails to win today the only other match against Afghanistan will turn into a do or die match. Bangladesh will then run the risk of exiting the tournament empty handed.
The match today will not be easy as Sri Lanka is the current holder of the trophy and will have home advantage. However, Bangladesh can have a sigh of relief as four of their first choice attack Lahiru Kumara, Dushmanto Chameera , Madushka and Hasharnga are not match fit. Bangladesh will encounter a depleted Lankan attack. Bangladesh also has their own problem. Two experienced players Ebadat and Litton K Das are also missing for not being match fit. These are in addition to Tamim and Mahmudullah missing out for different reasons. In such situation both team starts at almost same level of strength. It will be a winner take all match and is expected to witness mouthwatering contest.
The muddling up of selection saga has already been exposed as Bangladesh was forced recalling veteran opening batsman cum wicket keeper Anamul Haq Bijoy hurriedly as soon as Litton was not unavailable for remaining indisposed.
This experienced batter was completely ignored while the long squad was called for preparation. Experienced Bijoy was prolific in domestic cricket and should have been automatic choice after Tamim declared himself unavailable for the Asia Cup. Even after the recall of Bijoy Bangladesh will have issues with opening partnership. Tanzid Tamim has not yet played for national team and Mohammad Naim has struggled at top order. Even otherwise prolific Nazmul Shanto is also not in his peak form. In such situation Tawhid Hridoy, Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim will have to shoulder additional responsibility. At least two of them will have to bat till the last power play as in absence of Riad in the little order others may struggle.
Bangladesh will need at least two large partnerships for a score of 300 or more for winning the match today. Sri Lanka bats well and bats deep. Bangladesh off course has a very good bowling unit. Taskin, Shoriful/ Mustafizur ,Hasan Mahmood together with Shakib and Miraj may defend any score of 280 plus if backed up effectively by agile fielding.
For additional insurance for advancing to the group of four Bangladesh desperately needs a win today. Otherwise panic and frustration may set in and Haturasinghe prescribed strategy will come under serious scrutiny.
Tiger admirers cheer for the team that is there. If each play to potential Bangladesh has no reason for not winning.
BDST: 1402 HRS, AUG 31, 2023
SMS
