CRICKET WORLD CUP: Early days but Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka is already looking a “must win” game for both sides. Gerard Browne previews the match played at the County Ground, Bristol.
It might only be game four for both sides but already this is falling into the category of “must win” when they clash at the County Ground, Bristol. Yes it is still early days but this is a game both will have targeted to get two points before a ball was bowled. On the exchange, Bangladesh are priced at 1.69 and Sri Lanka are priced 2.28.
Since there brilliant win over South Africa, it been back-back defeats for Bangladesh. First they lost to New Zealand and then came up well short vs England on Saturday in Cardiff losing by 106 runs. Just like there two previous games, Shakib Al Hasan was their top performer, smashing 121 off 119 balls. This was his first century of the Tournament but I don’t see it being his last. In many he was the only player who carried the fight to England, as Mushfiqur Rahim was there next runs scorer with 44. Bangladesh were never to reach their target of 387. Mohammad Saifuddin and Mehidy Hasan Miraz tried their best to keep the score down claiming two wickets each.
This will be Sri Lanka’s first game in a week after Friday game vs Pakistan was washed out. Some will say Sri Lanka picked up a point more than if this game went ahead. The rain seems to follow Sri Lanka wherever they go. The game vs Afghanistan was interrupted by the rain. Sri Lanka eventfully won by 34 runs on the D/L method. Kusal Perera was top scorer with the bat finishing with 78 runs. Sri Lanka finished their innings 201 all out after 41 overs. Their bowlers hit the ground running after 13.4 overs Afghanistan were 57-5. This set the platform for victory. Lasith Malinga reminded us that age is just a number taking 3-39. However he was out done by Nuwan Pradeep who claimed 4-31.
I said before about Bangladesh and it was still clear vs England, there are over reliant on Shakib Al Hasan. They will other players to start making big score if they are to make the Semi-Finals. After their shambolic display vs New Zealand, Sri Lanka will feel there was big improvements vs Afghanistan. Bangladesh seem to have the upper hand on Sri Lanka recently including in the Asian Cup last year. If players like Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar can up their game, then should continue that good run vs Sri Lanka.
Verdict: Bangladesh
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