Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, Highlights, Asia cup 2018 at Dubai:
Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, 1st Match Asia Cup 2018: What a sad opener for a super-hyped tournament. Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh was touted to be a cracker. Bangladesh not having won a single ODI in the Middle East. The Lankans not having lost even a game to Bangladesh in neutral venues. Well, a damp squib as eventually we were caught asking - 'when will this match end?' The start was brilliant. Comeback man Malinga showed that age is just a number and has no connection with rustiness as he first took two wickets in his first over, then injured Tamim Iqbal to have Bangladesh reeling. However, we then witnessed one of the best fightbacks produced by Bangladesh. They did lose their way towards the end but the moment of the game was Tamim Iqbal coming out to bat with a broken wrist. The momentum took Bangladesh to a competitive 261. In reply, when Tharanga hit a six and a four in the first over, it seemed like it is going to be an easy run chase. But once the opening stand was broken, the Bangladeshi bowlers just ran through. We hardly witnessed any fightback and when your number 7 is your highest scorer, that too, with a 29, there is nothing much to write. (SCORECARD)BANGLADESH VS SRI LANKA, ASIA CUP MATCH 1, HIGHLIGHTS FROM DUBAI:
00.06 IST: Bangladesh (261) beat Sri Lanka (124) by 137 runs in Dubai. Mustafizur 2/20, Mehidy 2/21. Amila Aponso OUT! Dropped, dropped, dropped, dropped but eventually caught. Sri Lanka's misery is over. Bangladesh have thumped them by 137 runs. Flighted outside off, Aponso comes down the track and looks to go over mid on but the ball goes off the toe end of his bat. It loops towards the substitute Nazmul Hossain Shanto who fumbles quite a number of times before finally holding on.
23.59 IST: Lasith Malinga is the last man in.
23.58 IST: OUT! Mosaddek Hossain removes Dilruwan Perera for 29. The frustrating stand finally ends. Tossed up outside off, Dilruwan comes down the track and expects the ball to spin in. But this one holds its line and goes past the outside edge. Easy stumping for Liton Das. Sri Lanka 120/9 in 34.1 overs vs Bangladesh (261) in Dubai.
23.55 IST: SIX! BELLIGERENT! Flighted outside off, Dilruwan gets down and slog sweeps this massively over mid-wicket!
23.53 IST: DRINKS BREAK. Didn't think we will get this far. But not that it is hurting Bangladesh much. Unless they have a 1-1-1 scenario where they lose to Afghanistan and Sri Lanka beat the Afghans. Then, the net run-rate might come into play. So, if the Lankans manage to creep upto 200 (yawn).
23.48 IST: SIX! BANG! A little bit of flight outside off and Dilruwan likes it. Jumps out and smashes it straight back over the bowler's head - okay, not straight back. Slightly in a more acute angle, or obtuse, depending on how you are visualizing. Clears long off. SL 111/8 in 31.1 overs.
23.45 IST: Mosaddek Hossain to bowl as well.
23.40 IST: Amila Aponso DROPPED! A tough chance. Full and outside off, Aponso gets down and has a mow. The ball hits the toe end of the bat and lobs towards short mid-wicket. Mashrafe Mortaza leaps but cannot quite catch it. The ball bursts through his hands and rolls towards long on. A single taken.
23.29 IST: Amila Aponso comes in at number 10. Bangladesh's biggest win in ODIs is by 163 runs, against Sri Lanka itself, in Dhaka in 2018. Can they better that tonight?
23.28 IST: OUT! Mustafizur removes Lakmal for 20. Suranga Lakmal will not be the team's highest scorer. A length ball, straight, Lakmal looks to work it through the leg side but misses and has his timber shattered. A partnership of 27 comes to a close. Nothing more than giving respect to the total. Sri Lanka 96/8 in 25.2 overs vs Bangladesh (261) in Dubai.
23.22 IST: Bowling change, Mustafizur Rahman is back on. 3-0-17-1 so far.
23.18 IST: Problems? Lakmal is down. Cramps? Or did he hurt himself? The physio is having a look. I am not a face reader but Lakmal's anguish suggests that he is not at all comfortable.
23.12 IST: Shakib Al Hasan is back on. 3-0-8-0 so far.
23.10 IST: FOUR! AUDACIOUS! A length ball outside off, Lakmal clubs this straight back over the bowler's head for a boundary.
22.58 IST: SIX! ADMONISHED! Let's have some fun. Number 9 batting. Off spinner bowling. Tossing the ball over the eyeline. Aha... dinner comes early. Get down and kaboom! Slog swept over mid-wicket.
22.52 IST: Dilruwan Perera comes in to join the other Perera.
22.51 IST: OUT! Rubel removes Mathews for 16. Gone next ball. Tossed up outside off, a bit slower in pace, Thisara looks to play the slog sweep but is nowhere near the ball. Only gets a top edge which goes as far as backward point. Simple catch for Rubel Hossain. The end seems to be night already. Sri Lanka 63/6 in 17.2 overs vs Bangladesh (261) in Dubai.
22.47 IST: Thisara Perera, the last recognized batsman for Sri Lanka, comes out at number 7, replacing Shanaka.
22.46 IST: OUT! Mehidy Hasan removes Mathews for 7. Dasun Shanaka has been sold a dummy down the river in a desert. The missed catch of Shanaka does not count. Full and outside off, Angelo comes down the track and works it towards short mid-wicket. Calls for a run and Dasun responds. But then, suddenly, Mathews reverses his call and sends Shanaka back. Poor lad (Dasun), he is only looking at the fielder after getting the call from Mathews. Too late to turn and by the time he does, Shakib's throw is already to the bowler who disturbs the bails. Then, he disturbs the bails again. Why? No one knows. Anyways, sad luck for Dasun. Sri Lanka sinking deeper. Sri Lanka 60/5 in 16.1 overs vs Bangladesh (261) in Dubai.
22.42 IST: DRINKS BREAK. Wonderful period for Bangladesh. They have Sri Lanka on the mat and had that catch of Shanaka been taken, well, they might have had them out of the match as well.
22.40 IST: SL 60/4 in 16 overs.
22.23 IST: Powerplay 2 has been signalled. Four fielders can now stay outside the circle till the 40th over. (If the match goes that long)
22.19 IST: Dasun Shanaka joins his skipper in the middle.
22.18 IST: OUT! Mehidy Hasan removes Kusal Perera for 11. No review left and Sri Lanka lose their main man. Arguably. Perhaps done by the pace this time. Quick and on off, it spins just enough to come in. Perera comes ahead and looks to keep the ball out. Keeps his bat close to the ball but cannot get wood to it. He is trapped in front and the umpire nods his head by raising his finger. Hard luck for Kusal, as the replay later on shows us that there was an inside edge onto the pads. Sri Lanka 38/4 in 9.2 overs vs Bangladesh (261) in Dubai.
22.08 IST: Mehidy Hasan to bowl.
22.07 IST: Mashrafe Mortaza to Angelo Mathews, no run. Maiden over from Mortaza. Full and outside off, driven to mid off. Mathews 0 off 9 balls. SL 36/3 in 7 overs.
22.01 IST: FOUR! Beauty! Elegant! All timing on that one. Overpitched from the fizz on middle and leg. Perera shows the full face and gently pushes this along the turf through mid on. Boundary as soon as it left the bat.
21.57 IST: Angelo Mathews walks out to the center.
21.56 IST: OUT! Mortaza removes D de Silva for 0. Why did he take the review? Only Dhananjaya will know. Without consulting his partner he took it up and he is a dead duck. Length ball on middle and leg. Angling into de Silva. Dhananjaya looks to work this on the on side but cannot get bat to ball. Gets hit right in front of the stumps. Mortaza appeals and the umpire didn't think twice. De Silva takes it up and replay shows us three reds. Sri Lanka lose their third wicket and also their sole review. Testing times ahead. Sri Lanka 32/3 in 4.3 overs vs Bangladesh (261) in Dubai.
21.52 IST: FOUR! Class! Pitched up ball on the leg side. Perera picks up the ball and lofts it over mid-wicket. No fielder there and the ball meets the fence once again.
12.49 IST: Dhananjaya de Silva is the new man in.
21.48 IST: Tharanga OUT for 27! Two wickets in two overs for the Tigers and they are charged up. Slower ball from Mortaza outside off, Tharanga looks to guide it towards third man but gets it off his bottom edge onto the stumps. He looks back to the flashing LED lights. Upal was looking good but has to watch the rest of the match from the dressing room. Sri Lanka need a big partnership now.
21.45 IST: FOUR! Not the best of fielding effort from the Fizz and Tharanga gets four more to his total. Full ball on the pads, Upal flicks it away to the fine leg fence. Rahman gets low but can't stop it from touching the fence. SL 28/1 in 2.4 overs.
21.44 IST: Kusal Perera is in at no.3.
21.42 IST: OUT! Plumb! No inside edge, pitched in line and Mendis has to walk back with a golden duck. His second duck in his last five innings. The Fizz comes in from over the wicket and lands it on leg. Mendis looks to play against the wrong line by flicking it to the on side. Can't get bat to ball and is trapped in front of the stumps. The players appeal but the umpire says no. The fielding side take it up and replay shows us three reds. Mustafizur removes Mendis for 0. Sri Lanka 22/1 in 2 overs vs Bangladesh (261) in Dubai
21.37 IST: FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries and once again Tharanga takes the aerial route and gets his desired result. Full and on off, Upal lofts this over covers. The ball races away to the fence. SL 21/0 in 1.4 overs
21.36 IST: FOUR! Takes on Rahman this time and gets his result. Full and outside off, Tharanga lofts this over mid on this time and the ball gets to the fence. Boundary. SL 17/0 in 1.3 overs
21.32 IST: FOUR! Change in angle from the skipper and it does not help him. Serves this wide outside off, Upal reaches for it and creams it through cover-point for a good looking boundary. Poor start so far from the bowler. Already 12 runs from the 4 balls. SL 12/0 in 0.4 overs
21.31 IST: SIX! Easy! What a way to get off the mark. Overpitched ball outside off, Tharanga opens his arms and lofts it over long off for the first maximum of the innings. Made that look so effortless. SL 6/0 in 0.2 overs
21.29 IST: Okay we are all set to begin! Upul Tharanga to face Mashrafe
21.23 IST: A rearguard effort from Mohammad Mithun and Mushfiqur Rahim got their side back on track. They stitched a 131-run stand and mixed caution with aggression to perfection. Once the former departed, Bangladesh lost a couple of quick wickets but Rahim went strong from the other end. He was dropped twice, on 10 and 85, and made the most of it. He got good support from the lower order, crossed his hundred and helped to stabilize his team.
21.01 IST: Bangladesh all out for 261 against Sri Lanka in Dubai. Mushfiqur 144, Malinga 4/23. Mushfiqur Rahim OUT! Rahim departs but not before playing which can be a game-changing knock! Full ball around off, Rahim heaves it towards long on. Kusal Mends runs in from the deep and dives full length to take a terrific catch. BANGLADESH ARE BOWLED OUT FOR 261!
21.00 IST: SIX! Back-to-back biggies! What a hit. Length ball on middle, Rahim picks it up and swipes it over deep square leg to send it into the stands.
20.59 IST: SIX! He is flowing like a river at the moment! Overpitched outside off, Rahim lines it up and lifts it over extra cover for a maximum.
20.55 IST: FOUR! Drilled! Overpitched on off, Rahim hits it over extra cover for a rocketing boundary.
20.52 IST: SIX! Picked the bones out of that one! Clean as a whistle. Short ball on middle and leg, Rahim pulls it with aplomb over deep mid-wicket for a maximum.
20.51 IST: FOUR! Cheeky! Full ball on off, Rahim who premeditated to play the paddle scoop has to adjust. Scoops it over short third man instead to find the fence.
20.49 IST: FOUR! Brilliant! Even Rahim is cramping but he is on song with the bat. Full ball on off, drilled over mid off to beat the man in the deep.
20.48 IST: Surprise, surprise! Tamim Iqbal comes out to bat. He will bat with an injured wrist.
20.46 IST: Mustafizur Rahman OUT! Good piece of fielding! Full ball on middle, Rahman defends it down the track and sets off. Rahim sends him back but he is already halfway down. Tries to get back to his crease as Mendis runs in from mid-wicket, picks up the ball and throws it back to the keeper who does the rest. It is referred upstairs. Mustafizur is miles out of his ground.
20.44 IST: FOUR! Lazy effort in the deep from Thisara! Full ball, Rahman hits it off the toe end over mid-wicket. Perera runs across from wide long on and jogs across. Doesn't put in a slide and the ball meets the fence.
20.33 IST: FOUR! Innovation at its best! Tossed up ball, Rahim kneels and reverse sweeps it over short third man for a boundary. He is going strong! BAN 214/8 in 44.1 overs.
20.31 IST: Mushfiqur Rahim hits 6th ODI century off 123 balls. FOUR! 6th ODI ton for Rahim and his 1st against Sri Lanka! He was dropped on two occasions, on 10 and on 82 and has made the most of the lives. Full and going down the leg side, Rahim tickles it past the keeper to the fine leg fence. He raises his bat towards the crowd and gets a well-deserved applause. Well played, Mushfiqur. Bangladesh 209/8 in 43.3 overs against Sri Lanka in Dubai.
20.28 IST: Is that the end of Bangladesh's innings? Rahman is the man in question regarding an LBW shout. Seems to be going down the leg side.
20.26 IST: Mustafizur Rahman is the last man in.
20.25 IST: OUT! D de Silva removes Rubel for 2. Yes, it has pitched in line and the decision has been overturned! Coming in with the arm from around the wicket, Hossain leans ahead to block it but misses to get hit on the pads. The Sri Lankans go up in unison but the umpire stays put. Mathews takes the review quite soon. Time for the replays. The Hawk Eye rolls in and shows three reds. Rahim has an anxious look on his face. It will be difficult for him to get to his ton now it seems. Bangladesh 203/8 in 42.4 overs against Sri Lanka in Dubai.
20.23 IST: A LBW appeal against Hossain has been taken upstairs. Seems really close. The question is has it pitched in line..
20.13 IST: Time for Powerplay 3! Maximum of five fielders are now allowed outside the 30-yard circle.
20.09 IST: Rubel Hossain strides out to bat. Meanwhile, Lasith Malinga is back on. Mathews is going for the kill.
20.08 IST: OUT! D de Silva removes Mortaza for 11. One shot too many from Mortaza and he's out of here! Chose the wrong angle to go against. A bit quicker in pace from around the wicket, sliding across Mortaza. He tries to slog it across the line but the ball takes the outer half of the bat and lobs towards the point region. Tharanga won't drop those. A successful over for de Silva. Bangladesh 195/7 in 39 overs against Sri Lanka in Dubai.
20.01 IST: FOUR! Played with authority! Short ball in line of the stumps, sits up nicely for Mortaza. He stands tall and pulls it through mid-wicket for a rocketing boundary. BAN 189/6 37.4 overs.
19.58 IST: Mushfiqur Rahim DROPPED! Another sitter has been put down! Straight in and straight out. Tossed up ball on middle, Rahim drives it back towards de Silva. He lines it up and gets his two hands to it but the ball pops out. He can't believe it and has a blank expression on his face. Rahim was dropped on 10 by Dilruwan Perera and that was a straightforward catch as well.
19.55 IST: FOUR! A boundary to conclude the over. Good placement! Fuller in length in line of the stumps, Mortaza clears his front leg and heaves it over long on to find the fence. BAN 183/6 in 36 overs.
19.52 IST: Thisara Perera is back on.
19.48 IST: The Bangladesh skipper, Mashrafe Mortaza, comes out to bat.
19.47 IST: OUT! Lakmal removes Mehidy Hasan for 15. Take a bow, Lakmal! That is a stunning catch. A partnership which was building up has been cut short. Full ball on off, Hasan drives it uppishly back towards the bowler. Suranga gets low on his followthrough and takes a brilliant catch to his left and then tumbles down. He plucked that out of thin air. Such moments in the field can change games. Bangladesh 175/6 in 33.4 overs against Sri Lanka in Dubai.
19.37 IST: BREAKING NEWS - Tamim Iqbal has been ruled out of the Asia Cup with a fractured wrist.
19.32 IST: FOUR! Wickets are falling at the other end but Rahim is continuing to play his natural game. He he getting away with it at the moment. Loopy ball on off, Rahim kneels and slog sweeps it over mid-wicket to find the fence.
19.20 IST: Time for Drinks! Meanwhile, Mehidy Hasan is the new man in.
19.18 IST: OUT! Malinga removes Mosaddek Hossain for 1. Malinga is on fire! Picks up a 4-fer with utmost ease. This is turning out to be a dream return for the wily old fox in international cricket. He steams in and hits the deck hard. Gets the ball to get big on Hossain as well. He goes for the pull across the line but ends up gloving it behind. Kusal Perera takes a few steps forward and gets low to pouch it safely. Bangladesh have lost 3 wickets for only 8 runs. Sri Lanka are back on top. Bangladesh 145/2 in 28 overs against Sri Lanka in Dubai.
19.12 IST: Mosaddek Hossain is the new man in to bat.
19.11 IST: OUT! Aponso removes Mahmudullah for 1. Oh, what a catch! On a day where the Lankans have been putting the catches down, this one from Dhananjaya de Silva has pulled off an absolute blinder. Tossed up and drifting in on middle, Mahmudullah clears his front leg and tries to play the slog sweep. Makes a complete mess of it and the ball takes a top edges. It balloons towards extra cover, where de Silva watches the ball closely, gets under it and dives behind to his right to takes a stunner. Just what the doctor ordered for Sri Lanka. Bangladesh 136/4 in 26.2 overs against Sri Lanka in Dubai.
19.06 IST: Mahmudullah walks out to the middle.
19.05 IST: OUT! Malinga removes Mithun for 63. Malinga returns and gets the breakthrough. Mathews had to do something, he brought his strike bowler back into the attack and he's delivered. Fuller in length and it's the slower one, Mithun doesn't pick it up and looks to flick it over the leg side early. The ball takes the leading edge and it skies above, a little behind on the off side. Kusal Perera settles himself under it and holds on to it. Partnership of 131 comes to an end and Mithun walks back after a super knock. Bangladesh 134/3 in 25.3 overs against Sri Lanka in Dubai.
18.53 IST: Taken upstairs again. Another direct hit but the Sri Lankan team doesn't look that interesting. Says a lot in itself. We'll see though.
18.51 IST: FOUR! Innovative from Rahim. This is clever batting. Lovely stuff. Mushfiqur premeditates the full delivery and goes across his sticks. He scoops it over the keeper's head and finds the fence with ease.
18.48 IST: FIFTY! Mushfiqur Rahim hits 30th fifty off 57 balls. He came in during a tricky situation for his side and has shored it to safe waters. He stays inside the crease and works it through the square leg area for a single. Needs to carry on now, a big one is what his teammates would be hoping is on the cards. Bangladesh 112/2 in 21.5 overs against Sri Lanka in Dubai.
18.45 IST: Dasun Shanaka is brought on into the attack.
18.38 IST: FIFTY! Mohammad Mithun hits maiden fifty off 52 balls. Mithun Edged and FOUR! Streaky runs but Bangladesh will take it. Also, maiden ODI fifty for Mohammad Mithun. He was given an opportunity early in the innings and he's made full use of that. Length ball outside off, it goes off the outer half through the vacant slip cordon for a boundary. Bangladesh 100/2 in 19.3 overs against Sri Lanka in Dubai.
18.33 IST: SIX! That's outta here! That's a good strike from Mushfiqur Rahim. He skips out of his crease, meets the ball at its pitch and then lifts it well over the man at long on to clear the rope. BAN 92/2 in 18.3 overs.
18.31 IST: A run out appeal is referred. It's a direct hit and it looks tight. Mushfiqur Rahim is in the limelight.
18.30 IST: Suranga Lakmal is back on to bowl.
18.25 IST: FOUR! A lot of flight on this from around the wicket, drifting away, Rahim drives this through the covers. Dilruwan out in the deep, moves to his right, tumbles to stop it but the effort is so lazy that the ball goes under his fingertips. Concedes an unnecessary boundary.
18.24 IST: Dhananjaya de Silva is on.
18.19 IST: FOUR! On fire here! 14 runs off the over. Dilruwan comes from around the wicket and darts it full and across, Mithun is forward and drives it sweetly through the covers to find the fence, beating the man in the deep.
18.17 IST: FOUR! This is good batting. Poor bowling though. Dilruwan bowls it short, flat and wide outside off, gives Mithun room as he rocks back and cuts it wide of short third man for a boundary.
18.16 IST: SIX! Takes the attack to the offie and gets the desired result. Makes great use of his feet, gets close to the pitch and Mithun smokes it high and handsome over long off for a maximum. BAN 59/2 in 14.4 overs.
18.13 IST: Time for Drinks! After a horrid start, Bangladesh are somewhat in a calmer situation. The 50-run unbroken partnership being the reason behind it. Mushfiqur Rahim and Mohammad Mithun have had lucky moments but the good thing for the Bangla Tigers is that they are still out there. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, need to have more intensity on the field.
18.08 IST: FOUR! Cheeky and mighty effective! Loopy ball around off, Mithun brings out the fancy reverse sweep and executes it to perfection through short fine leg. Mathews has a tough chase to make and only comes second best.
17.58 IST: SIX! Rahim hits the first six of the Asia Cup 2018. Boom! Tossed up ball around off, Mithun dances down the track and tonks it towards long off. The fielder stationed near the ropes is interested for a while but eventually watches it sail over his head into the stands. 12 from the over. BAN 36/2 in 11 overs.
17.56 IST: FOUR! Great execution! Slower through the air around off, Rahim crouches and slog sweeps it over mid-wicket for a boundary. That will make him feel good. BAN 29/2 in 10.3 overs.
17.53 IST: Time for Powerplay 2! Maximum of four fielders are now allowed outside the 30-yard circle till the 40th over.
17.50 IST: Double change. Thisara Perera is introduced for a bowl.
17.47 IST: Amila Aponso comes into the attack.
17.46 IST: FOUR! Rahim scored the first boundary for Bangladesh. Nicely controlled! Full ball attacking the stumps, Rahim clips it nicely past the short mid-wicket fielder and the ball races to the fence. That is the first boundary of the innings, took 48 balls to come. BAN 20/2 in 8 overs.
17.40 IST: Lasith Malinga to Mohammad Mithun, 1 run. On a length around off, Mohammad walks down the track and taps it towards mid on for a quick run.
17.31 IST: Lasith Malinga to Mushfiqur Rahim, 1 run. Taken this time but it doesn't matter! Sharp short ball on off, takes off. Rahim goes for a pull but gets a top edge towards mid on. Mathews there accepts it but it won't reflect in the wickets column. BAN 6/2 in 5 overs.
17.30 IST: Lasith Malinga to Mohammad Mithun, No ball and Dropped! A lot of drama is happening at the moment. That was a marginal call for a waist height no ball, could have gone either way but anyways, the catch was not taken. Malinga bowls another high full toss on leg stump and it is dipping. Mithun is surprised a touch and ends up playing it uppishly towards fine leg. The fielder there runs in, gets his hands to it but the ball pops out, brushes his chest and falls down. To add insult to injury, a Free Hit is coming up...
17.28 IST: Mohammad Mithun DROPPED! It was a brilliant attempt though. Would have been a gem of a catch if Mathews took it. Fuller in length on middle and leg, stops a bit on the track perhaps. Mithun closes his bat face early and eventually gets a soft leading edge towards mid on. Angelo charges in and puts in a full length dive, reaches the ball as well. He gets both his hands to it but it doesn't stick. Malinga has his hands on his head. That wicket could have broken the backbone of Bangladesh.
17.25 IST: Meanwhile, India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has hailed Malinga for double strikes. "What a great start on his comeback match !!!! Always a pleasure to watch him," he said.
17.15 IST: Lasith Malinga already has three hat-tricks in ODI cricket. No.4 on the way right now? Tamim Iqbal was to face him, but he's going off the field. This isn't a good sign at all, especially with two wickets already down. Mohammad Mithun walks out to the middle. Mushfiqur Rahim will face the hat-trick ball. Two slips and a leg gully in place...
17.10 IST: Suranga Lakmal to bowl with the second new ball from the other end. Meanwhile, Mushfiqur Rahim strides out to bat with his team in early trouble.
17.09 IST: OUT! Malinga removes Shakib for 0. Bowled 'em! The best exponent of bamboozling the batsmen is in the thick of things. Bangladesh have been rocked early and Shakib walks back dejected for a golden duck. Malinga steams in and bowls a full and fast delivery on off. It does a lot in the air as the ball swings back in appreciably. Shakib is late to bring his bat down and the other mistake he does is that he tries to jam it across the line. Misses it altogether to get his stumps shattered. The perfect start for Malinga and Sri Lanka this. He will be a hat-trick in the next over. Bangladesh 1/2 in 1 over against Sri Lanka in Dubai.
17.08 IST: Shakib Al Hasan comes out to bat.
17.07 IST: OUT! Malinga removes Liton Das for 0. Malinga is off and running, what a start for him after a layoff of around 16 months. His team knows the importance of him performing this way and they barge towards him with big smiles on their faces. Coming back to the ball, it is in the avenue of apprehension and after landing, the ball seams away substantially. Das is opened up in his stance and pokes at it. Ends up getting a thick outside edge behind. Kusal Mendis at first slip gets low to his left and takes a fine catch before tumbling down. Das' comeback has been a fruitless one. Bangladesh 1/1 in 0.5 overs against Sri Lanka in Dubai.
17.01 IST: The players are out for their respective national anthems. After the completion, we are set to get rolling. It is really hot out in the middle and it will be interesting to see how both the sides adapt to the conditions. Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das to open the batting for Bangladesh.
16.30 IST: Bangladesh win toss, opt to bat against Sri Lanka in Dubai.
16.20 IST: Cricket fans in Sri Lanka are set to watch the opening clash.
Brief preview: In the Asia Cup opening match, Bangladesh will face Sri Lanka. Both teams are struggling with the injuries of their key players. Bangladesh have three injured players --Tamim Iqbal, Nazmul Hossain and Shakib Al Hasan --while Danushka Gunathilaka and Dinesh Chandimal were out from Sri Lanka squad but return of veteran pacer Lasith Malinga included some spark in the Sri Lankan squad.
Teams:
Sri Lanka (From): Upul Tharanga, Niroshan Dickwella(w), Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews(c), Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Dasun Shanaka, Suranga Lakmal, Kasun Rajitha, Lasith Malinga, Shehan Jayasuriya, Dilruwan Perera, Amila Aponso, Dushmantha Chameera
Bangladesh (From): Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim(w), Mahmudullah, Mosaddek Hossain, Mashrafe Mortaza(c), Mehidy Hasan, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Nazmul Islam, Mohammad Mithun, Ariful Haque, Abu Hider Rony, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Mominul Haque
