(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
Asia Cup 2024: Charith Asalanka Leads Sri Lanka in Thrilling Group B Clash Against Bangladesh
In a buzzing start to the Asia Cup 2024, Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka called correctly at the toss and chose to bowl first against Bangladesh in their Group B match on Saturday in Abu Dhabi. This high-stakes T20 showdown promises plenty of action as both teams look to kick off the tournament on a strong note.
Bangladesh kicked off the Asia Cup with a solid win over Hong Kong earlier this week, showing their potential despite a rocky year in T20Is. They stumbled with a surprise series loss to the UAE in Sharjah and a 3-0 whitewash in Pakistan, but bounced back by clinching three straight bilateral series. Captain Litton Das stayed cool after the toss, saying, "We don’t mind batting first—looks like a good wicket. We played well in our first game, but we need to sharpen up in some areas. To win, everything has to click." He also shared updates on the team: Taskin Ahmed sits out, with Shoriful Islam stepping in.
Sri Lanka, the defending Asia Cup champions, enter the fray after a tough spell. They crashed out early in last year’s T20 World Cup and have managed just seven wins in their last 17 T20Is, including four series defeats. Asalanka, leading the side, was upbeat about the challenge. He confirmed star all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga’s return from injury and explained the toss decision: "We’re going to bowl—it’s a fresh pitch, so we want to take advantage. Hasaranga is back, and we’ve got a strong 7-4 combo with three all-rounders. It’s a great memory defending this title, and we aim to keep the momentum going. This is a fun captaincy challenge with a talented bunch."
Fans can expect fireworks from Sri Lanka’s balanced lineup, featuring explosive openers and a lethal bowling attack. Here’s how the teams stack up:
Sri Lanka Playing XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka (c), Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara.
Bangladesh Playing XI: Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Litton Das (wk/c), Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali, Shamim Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman.
With both sides hungry for a win in the Asia Cup T20 format, this match could set the tone for Group B. Stay tuned for live updates as the battle unfolds in Abu Dhabi!
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