Sri Lanka Set Sights on Final Against Bangladesh

Dambulla: Defending champions Sri Lanka will look to crush a beleaguered Bangladesh and enhance their chances of making the Asia Cup final when the two sides clash here on Thursday.

Four-time champions Lanka, who defeated Pakistan by 16 runs in their first outing on Tuesday, need one more victory to virtually qualify for the June 24 summit clash.

For Bangladesh, tomorrow's clash has become a do-or-die contest as they are coming into the match after a six-wicket defeat against India and one more drubbing would be enough to spell their ouster.

Given their potential and the advantage of playing in home conditions, Sri Lanka are not likely to be troubled by Shakib Al Hasan's team.

Their bowlers, especially paceman Lasith Malinga are in superb form and a formidable batting line up makes them an outright favourite against the Asian minnows.

Considering that they are in the process of building the nucleus of their side for the 2011 World Cup, the defending champions would be tempted to play Suraj Randiv instead of the wily Muttiah Muralitharan, who was savaged by Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi the other day.

Muralitharan bled 71 runs from his 10 overs, conceding as many as five sixes to Afridi, who made a blistering 76-ball 109, his first ODI century in four years.

Lanka could also possibly seek a change for Farveez Maharoof who looked far from impressive on his comeback.

He failed with both ball and bat, apart from struggling to come down on the ball in the outfield.

While Kumar Sangakarra has only these aspects to look into, his Bangladesh counterpart has far too many issues to address.

Not surprisingly Shakib Al Hasan has called on his boys to perform as a unit.

"We played well as individuals but not as a team. That is an area we need to improve on a lot," Shakib had said after Bangladesh's six-wicket defeat against India.

Emphasising on the need to unite and perform as a team, a visibly perturbed Shakib said, "We need to climb one step ahead and put team performances together, only then can we win some games. That is the main area we have to concentrate on."

Shakib was happy with the performance of his openers, but was dissatisfied with the middle order batsmen who struggled against the Indian spinners.

He was hoping that this could be sorted out at the team meeting before the match against Sri Lanka.

Team news

Sri Lanka ticked in perfect harmony against Pakistan and could look to retain their combination. Kandamby will hope to get a chance at the expense of Thilan Samaraweera or Kapugedera.

Squad from Kumar Sangakkara (C & WK), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene, Thilina Kandamby, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Thilan Samaraweera, Chanaka Welegedara, Muttiah Muralitharan (VC), Rangana Herath, Suraj Randiv, Chamara Kapugedera, Farveez Maharoof, Angelo Mathews, Upul Tharanga

Bangladesh Despite the meek showing against India, Bangladesh are unlikely to change their eleven going into their second game.

Squad from Shakib Al Hasan (C), Mushfiqur Rahim (VC & WK), Abdur Razzak, Jahurul Islam, Mohammad Ashraful, Mohammad Mahmudullah, Rubel Hossain, Suhrawadi Shuvo, Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Junaid Siddique, Mashrafe Mortaza, Naeem Islam, Shafiul Islam, Syed Rasel

Stats and trivia

• Sri Lanka have won 26 of their 28 games against Bangladesh. The two losses came in Bangladesh. Furthermore, Sri Lanka have won 18 of their 25 games at Dambulla.
• Bangladesh's best batsman Tamim Iqbal averages just 19 .80 from 10 games against Sri Lanka. The strike rate is also poor at 63.50 and he has just hit one fifty.

Match facts
Friday, June 18, 2010
Start time 14:30 local (09:00 GMT)