Sri Lanka Look To Turn New Chapter With Tri-Series Final

Winning is a habit and it keeps a team healthy, especially when there is a change in the hierarchy. Chandika Hathurusingha, the Sri Lankan coach, started his regime with defeats to Zimbabwe and Bangladesh. However, the final at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Saturday (January 27) gives him and his side a chance to turn a new chapter in Sri Lankan cricket.

A team is always judged on how they respond when down and Sri Lanka have risen magnificently after losing the first two games, they beat Zimbabwe by five wickets and then thumped Bangladesh by ten wickets to book a place in the final. Both victories were convincing and suggested that Sri Lanka are slowly getting back to their old ways.

Chandimal has led the team well in the absence of Angelo Mathews, who was ruled out after the first game, and has been backed up by his players. The seniors like Upul Tharanga, Suranga Lakmal and Thisara Perera have put their hand up at crucial times. Perera, especially, has been their standout player – 11 wickets and 132 runs in the series. Sri Lanka will hope for more such performances from the burly all-rounder.

Bangladesh are virtually unbeatable at home since last couple of years. They have hunted down big teams in their backyard and were the first team to qualify for the final with three wins on the trot. The last game, however, was a reality check for them, bowled out for 83 and suffering their biggest defeat against Sri Lanka in terms of balls.

The batting is still dependent on the old trio of Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim. Shakib’s promotion to number three has left them fragile in the middle order. The likes of Sabbir Rahman and Nasir Hossain are still finding it difficult to produce the numbers. The one thing going for them is their bowling attack, which is led by the wily Mashrafe Mortaza. The inexperience of playing in big matches might go against them, but in home conditions they should back themselves.

When: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, final, 12 noon local time, 11:30 am IST

Where: Sher e Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka

What to expect: There have been no rain interruptions so far and it will be the same for the final. Pleasant conditions to play a game of cricket with the temperature hovering around 25 degree Celsius. The pitch, however, might have something in it for the bowlers as it has done right through the tri-series.

Team news:

Bangladesh: The loss in the previous game opened up a few cracks in the Bangladesh line-up. Anamul has not fully seized his opportunity and the middle order looks fragile, but it looks likely that he will get another chance. The bowling though looks good, but Mehidy Hasan could just get a look in.

Sri Lanka: The Island nation have had their fair share of injuries. Mathews and Kusal Perera started the tournament, but were ruled out with injuries. Danushka Gunathilaka had a good last game and he will retain his spot. Having won two games in a row, don’t expect any changes from Sri Lanka.

What they said:

“There’s a final coming up so we shouldn’t be going into the details. I am not going to complain about them since they have been working hard. They had a pretty good opportunity today. They could have spent more time in the wicket. We got bowled out in 24 overs. They could have spent some time in the middle, even batting with a lower strike-rate.” – Mashrafe Mortaza.

“Last year we didn’t do well in white-ball cricket. The last two wins are very helpful for us, especially our confidence will get better now. So we are looking forward to the final.” – Danushka Gunathilaka.

Did you know:

Sri Lanka has played three finals in Mirpur and won all the three beating Bangladesh in 2009, India in 2010 and Pakistan in 2014 – all coming chasing.

Suranga Lakmal needs two more wickets to reach the 100-wicket milestone. If he gets there in the final, he will be the joint third fastest for Sri Lanka after Ajanta Mendis (63) and Lasith Malinga (68).

Thisara Perera has taken 11 wickets this series at an average of 14.81 – the joint most he has taken in any series. He has taken two-plus wickets in each of the four matches this series – first by him since 2011.

Teams (from):

Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal, Anamul Haque, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim(w), Mahmudullah, Sabbir Rahman, Abul Hasan, Nasir Hossain, Mashrafe Mortaza(c), Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Mehidy Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Sunzamul Islam, Mohammad Mithun, Imrul Kayes

Sri Lanka: Danushka Gunathilaka, Upul Tharanga, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal(c), Asela Gunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella(w), Thisara Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Lakshan Sandakan, Akila Dananjaya, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Pradeep, Dhananjaya de Silva, Shehan Madushanka, Wanidu Hasaranga

Courtesy : cricbuzz