The sixteenth fixture of ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 will be played between two subcontinent sides – Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at the County Ground in Bristol. Both teams are struggling in their campaign and will look to gain momentum in the ongoing tournament.
With two defeats and one win in three games, Bangladesh is in an alarming state. They started with 21 runs win over South Africa but have faced two back to back defeats against New Zealand and England. One more defeat will make things worse for the side. And, hence it is a must-win game for Bangladesh Tigers.
Sri Lanka’s last fixture with Pakistan ended in a no result due to rain coming into action. In three games, Sri Lanka has one win, one loss and one no result and are in a better position than the opposition.
Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka
Venue: County Ground, Bristol
Time: June 11, 03:00 PM
Matches: 45
Sri Lanka won: 36
Bangladesh won: 07
County Ground Bristol is a good batting surface. The short boundaries in straight make it even more interesting. Remember the 421 runs total that Windies posted against New Zealand? Yeah, it was on this ground only. Barring the overcast conditions, the wicket is good for batting and scoring runs.
First innings average score at this ground: 243
Second innings average score at this ground: 216
Highest total recorded at the venue: 373/5
Lowest total recorded at the venue: 92/10
Sri Lanka squad to face Bangladesh:
Milinda Siriwardana, Avishka Fernando, Jeevan Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Pradeep, Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Kusal Perera (wk), Isuru Udana, Lahiru Thirimanne, Jeffrey Vandersay, Suranga Lakmal
Bangladesh squad to face Sri Lanka:
Mahmudullah, Sabbir Rahman, Tamim Iqbal, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim(w), Mohammad Saifuddin, Mashrafe Mortaza(c), Mehidy Hasan, Mohammad Mithun, Abu Jayed, Mosaddek Hossain
Nuwan Pradeep will not take part in the clash. He has been ruled out due to a hand injury
Lahiru Thirimane is slightly doubtful for the encounter as he felt some discomfort in the knee while batting at the practice session on Sunday
J Vandersay/Jeevan Mendis and Avishka Fernando are the likely replacements for the above two
Bangladesh might tweak a bit in the bowling department
Shakib Al Hasan wasn’t happy with the bowling department in the previous game against England
Abu Jayed and Ruble Hossain- who haven’t played a single game might get to feature
There’s an injury scare for Bangladesh in the likes of Shakib Al Hasan. Shakib didn’t take part in the training session and might miss out due to quad strain
Bangladesh:
Mohammad Mithun, Mehidy Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim, Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan, Mosaddek Hossain, Mashrafe Mortaza (c), Mustafizur Rahman, Mohammad Saifuddin
Sri Lanka:
Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Thisara Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal, Isuru Udana, Lahiru Thirimanne/Avishka Fernando
Bangladesh
Tamim Iqbal | Shakib Al Hasan | Mushfiqur Rahim
Tamim Iqbal has amassed 645 runs in 20 innings at an average of 33.95 against Sri Lanka. He will be a crucial batter Bangladesh and will open the innings along with Soumya Sarkar.
Soumya Sarkar has an average outing against Sri Lanka but his current form can be a criterion to rope him in the fantasy team
Shakib Al Hasan’s current form is very promising. ICC number 1 all-rounder, Shakib Al Hasan has scored 400 runs in six innings in 2019 at an average of 100.00. Also, he averages 33.72 against Sri Lanka and has managed 607 runs in 20 innings with the help of six fifties.
In 25 innings against Sri Lanka, Mushfiqur Rahim has managed 608 runs at an average of 24.32. He will be key in the middle order.
Sri Lanka
Angelo Mathews | Lasith Malinga
Angelo Mathews averages above 50 against Bangladesh and will be a key batter for Sri Lanka. In 8 innings, he has scored 219 runs. However, he is not in good touch lately. His last 4 innings score against Bangladesh are 16, 74*, 20* and 56*
Lasith Malinga will be the key in pace attack for Sri Lanka. The veteran pacer has bagged 24 wickets in 13 innings against Bangladesh. With 4/23, 3/35 and 2/45, he has bagged nine wickets in last three innings