Pitch and weather: During the LPL, most pitches proved to be quite two-paced, and Pallekele was no different, with bowlers rewarded for varying their pace. On occasion, however, batting did get easier, and better, under lights. In terms of the weather, it’s largely expected to be hot and humid and there is a chance of rain.
Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh 2nd Match Asia Cup Highlights 2023, Thursday 31-8-2023, 2nd Match, Group B (D/N), Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
Shakib: “Dry wicket, hope to put runs on the board. We have to be at our best because Sri Lanka are very good especially at home. We just have to think about today’s match, have to be better than them in 100 overs. Three spinners and three seamers.”
Shanaka: “It is a good toss to lose with rain around the corner. Our main players are injured but we have all areas covered. I expect turn here because LPL was played here. Asia Cup here very much excited because fans are behind us. Six batters, two allrounders, and three bowlers. Pathirana and Wellalage is playing.”
Toss: Bangladesh will bat first.
Sri Lanka team: Nissanka, Dimuth, Kusal (wk), Sadeera, Asalanka, Dhananjaya, Shanaka (capt.), Dunith, Theekshana, Rajitha, Pathirana.
Bangladesh team: Naim, Tanzid, Najmul, Towhid, Shakib (capt.), Mushfiqur (wk), Mehedi, Mahedi, Taskin, Shoriful, Mustafizur.
Head to Head In ODI’s: 51
Sri Lanka Won: 40
Bangladesh Won: 9
Sri Lanka ODI Rankings: 8th
Bangladesh ODI Rankings: 7th
Form guide
(last five completed ODI’s, most recent first)
Sri Lanka WWWWW
Bangladesh WLLWW
Match Timings: 9:30 AM GMT | 3:00 PM Local
Umpires – Jayaraman Madanagopal, Paul Wilson
TV Umpire – Richard Illingworth
Match Referee – Javagal Srinath
Reserve Umpire – Ruchira Palliyaguruge
Match number – ODI no. 4629
Shakib Al Hasan:
(Not enough runs?) Yes, it was not a 300 wicket, but we needed 220-230 runs to make a game. (Responsibility of his batting with no Tamim and Litton) Yes more responsibility, I couldn’t do it, but as a batting effort we didn’t do well. We have a big game coming up. (Captaincy in bowling effort) When they are 30 down for 3, we knew we needed a couple of more wickets, but unfortunately we didn’t get that. Bowlers and spinners have been doing their bit for a long time now, just not enough runs on the board. (Positives for crunch games) There are lot of nerves when we started the game but as we kept on batting, in the 20th over, we felt lot more comfortable. This is the first time playing Asia Cup and in away conditions.”
Dasun Shanaka: “We thought it was a better pitch than the score Bangladesh scored. The bowlers stood up. (Wickets) The wickets are being used in the LPL so we all know…. (Sadeera and Asalanka) Tricky surface. Sadeera, the way he fielded, it was his day. Asalanka is good signs for Sri Lanka cricket.”
Matheesha Pathirana is the POTM: “(Feeling of getting POTM in an ODI) This is my first man of the match title for my country, so really happy about it. (T20 skills in ODIs) Slower balls are important, that’s why I took wickets in the death. Useful skill from T20s to fifty overs. My bowling is different so a little unpredictable.”
