T20 WC: Tigers to face off lions in Super 12 opener

The Bangladesh national cricket team is all set to take on their Asian counterparts Sri Lanka on October 24 aiming to start their Super 12s stage of the T20 World Cup on high.

Both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka advanced to the Super 12s stage playing in Round 1.

Bangladesh beat the hosts Oman and Papua New Guinea in Round 1 but lost to Scotland while Sri Lanka beat all three teams— Ireland, Netherlands and Namibia in Round 1.

Right before the World Cup began, Bangladesh lost a warm-up match against Sri Lanka, which added an extra dimension to Sunday’s match. Sri Lanka also played their Round 1 games in the UAE, which might help them a bit. But Bangladesh’s head coach said they are not bothered about the result of Round 1.

“I don’t think what happened in the first round counts so much in the main event now. Both teams are starting from scratch from tomorrow,” he said on Saturday. “We have had some good contests against them in ODIs and Tests. We have a well-balanced side with skilful bowlers and some dangerous batters. We have a world-class allrounder in Shakib (Al Hasan). These types of conditions can suit us. Sharjah is similar to the wickets in Dhaka. Hopefully, that can assist us in tomorrow’s game.”

Bangladesh are heavily reliant on their young talents like Mohammad Naim, Mahedi Hasan, Afif Hossain and Mohammad Saifuddin. Naim did well against Oman but failed against Papua New Guinea in the last match of Round 1 while Mahedi has been doing great with the ball, but failing with the bat, and Afif is yet to flourish properly. Domingo said he believes these players can make a difference in the Super 12s.

“I am a big fan of Mahedi. I think the most important thing is his character. He is always up to fulfil any role in the team. It is not easy batting up the order, down the order. He never complains. He is focused on what the team needs. He is versatile with the ball – he can bowl in the middle, at the death and upfront,” Domingo said.

According to the coach, Afif and Nurul Hasan Sohan have the prospect to be the “seriously good players for Bangladesh in this format”. While Afif showed some glimpses of his batting ability in the World Cup, Sohan is yet to prove his mettle at the bigger stager of the game.

Bangladesh were never comfortable against the leg-spin which they will have to face against Sri Lanka. Wanindu Hasaranga has always been a big threat for Bangladesh, though, Domingo said they are fully aware of the ability of Hasaranga.

Bangladesh never won a match after the initial round of T20 World Cup, but this time, they are set well to end that drought.

In Group 1 of Super 12s, Bangladesh will also take on England, West Indies, South Africa, and Australia on October 27, 29 and November 2 and 4.

While Bangladesh are set to take on Sri Lanka on Sunday, India will take on Pakistan on the same day at Dubai at 8pm. It will be the first match between the arch-rival in two years. In the few previous meetings, India overpowered Pakistan in ICC events. This time around, Pakistan are confident to turn the fortune another way.

Bangladesh’s probable XI against Sri Lanka:

Mohammad Naim, Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Afiff Hossain, Nurul Hasan, Mahedi Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman.