Today’s Asia Cup 2023 match features Bangladesh facing Sri Lanka at the Pallekele International Stadium. Both teams have a few key players missing due to injuries.
Sri Lanka is without their leg-spinning all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga, and pacers Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Madushanka, and Lahiru Kumara. On the other hand, Bangladesh is missing Liton Das, Tamim Iqbal, and Ebadot Hossain.
This is the 2nd match of the Asia Cup 2023 in Group A, played in the ODI format. The toss will be at 2:30 PM IST, and the match will begin at 3:00 PM IST at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
Squads:
- Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis(w), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka(c), Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Kasun Rajitha, Kusal Perera, Pramod Madushan, Dunith Wellalage, Binura Fernando.
- Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan, Mohammad Naim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Shakib Al Hasan(c), Mushfiqur Rahim(w), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Afif Hossain, Anamul Haque, Nasum Ahmed, Shamim Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib.
Sri Lanka aims to defend their championship title and win their seventh title, benefiting from playing on their home turf. Bangladesh enters with the goal of winning their first continental title.
Sri Lanka’s strong performance in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 Qualifier boosted their confidence, winning all eight matches in the 10-team event. They clinched victory by 128 runs against the Netherlands in the final.
In contrast, Bangladesh faced a setback in a recent ODI series against Afghanistan, losing 1-2 amid controversies involving Tamim Iqbal’s retirement and subsequent return. Tamim’s retirement was short-lived after intervention from Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, but he stepped down from captaincy and withdrew from Asia Cup 2023 due to injury.