Sri Lanka confront familiar rivals Bangladesh in Super Fours opener

• Asia Cup enters business end from today

Kusal Mendis prepares himself for today’s game against Bangladesh with a game of football

Sri Lanka Batting Coach  Thilina Kandamby

DUBAI: With the group stage completed, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will face-off in the curtain raiser match of the Asia Cup Super Fours at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium today.

Sri Lanka did Bangladesh a great favour by beating Afghanistan in their final Group B match, a result that kept Bangladesh in the tournament and knocked Afghanistan out. Bangladesh depended heavily on Sri Lanka beating Afghanistan for their own survival, but in today’s contest no quarters will be asked nor given, as the two rivals battle each other to put their first points on the board in the Super Fours.

“We’ve played Bangladesh quite a lot in the last three to four months—about four or five games. They are a very competitive side and have been so for the last few months. We know them well, their strengths and weaknesses. We’ll look to capitalise on that. I’m confident our boys will give a good fight,” said Sri Lanka Batting Coach Thilina Kandamby looking ahead at today’s game.

Sri Lanka outplayed Bangladesh in the group game of the tournament, but in T20I cricket such successes are only minute as everything depends on how you play on the day.

“I think our preparation in Zimbabwe before the Asia Cup really helped. When we came here, our focus was to take it one game at a time and to keep things simple. That has been the key to our success as a team,” said Kandamby.

Sri Lanka finished the group stage unbeaten with wins against Bangladesh, Hong Kong China and Afghanistan, and are the only team with India to finish unbeaten. India and Pakistan qualified for the Super Fours from Group B.

Sri Lanka entered their match against Afghanistan knowing it would be a trial by spin for them as the opposition had one of the best spin bowling attacks in the tournament.

“We discussed our middle order batting beforehand. Afghanistan probably had the best spin attack at the moment, especially with Rashid (Khan). But our batters handled it really well. The conditions weren’t ideal for spinners – it was more favourable for batters –and we took advantage. Going to Dubai, where spinners will get more support, we’re already prepared for that,” Kandamby said.

A plus point for Sri Lanka going into the Super Fours is the return to form of opening batsman Kusal Mendis who guided the team to victory against Afghanistan with an unbeaten 74 off 52 balls.

“He’s a genuine match-winner. Whenever he scores runs, more often than not we cross the line. He knows that, and he’s maturing every day. He works extremely hard at the nets, and we provide him with the tactical support he needs,” said Kandamby.

Expressing his thoughts on the Super Fours, Mendis said, “The Dubai wickets are slower than the ones at Abu Dhabi. We have (Dushmantha) Chameera and (Nuwan) Thushara who are bowling well and there is also Wanindu (Hasaranga) and (Maheesh) Theekshana. India and Pakistan will think twice because we have performed well against them in past Asia Cup tournaments.”

“The first round we finished unbeaten. As a team we have a lot of confidence going forward. Everyone has performed in the three matches, not just one player. It’s a good thing because if you look back someone has put his hand up and won the match for us bowling or batting. That is the plus point we have compared to other teams.”   

Super Fours Draw

20 Sep: Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh at Dubai

21 Sep: India vs Pakistan at Dubai

23 Sep: Sri Lanka vs Pakistan at Abu Dhabi

24 Sep: India vs Bangladesh at Dubai

25 Sep: Pakistan vs Bangladesh at Dubai

26 Sep: Sri Lanka vs India at Dubai

28 Sep: Final at Dubai

29 Sep: Reserve day