Advantage Bangladesh as Shakib returns for do-or-die
Colombo: Shakib Al Hasan's surprise return has boosted Bangladesh ahead of their do-or-die game against Sri Lanka in the Nidahas Trophy.
Even though he is coming back from an injury layoff, Sri Lanka will be wary of his all-round prowess, particularly in a T20 tournament in which four good overs make a big difference.
The home side's batting holds the key for them. Kusal Mendis is in fine form, with the likes of Kusal Perera, Upul Tharanga, Thisara Perera and Dasun Shanaka batting around him.
Sri Lanka's worries are with their bowling. Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Pradeep have missed lengths at crucial moments while Suranga Lakmal hasn't been convincing in his only appearance.
Isuru Udana, who bowled decently in the T20s in Bangladesh last month, could get a look-in. They will also expect Akila Dananjaya and Thisara Perera to slow things down.
Bangladesh also would like a few more things to go their way, starting with their top-order batsmen finding the coordination that worked well in the previous Sri Lanka game.
Liton Das, Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar and Mushfiqur Rahim didn't get in each other's way when going after the bowlers, which meant the batsman at the other end provided support. Against India, it was guns blazing from both ends which didn't really pan out as planned, reports the Cricinfo.
Shakib's inclusion would most likely mean Sabbir batting at No. 7 and five specialist bowlers. It should put a smile on interim coach Courtney Walsh's face, as the likes of Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman and Mehidy Hasan can now rely on a very experienced bowler to take the lead role.
Sri Lanka (probable): 1 Danushka Gunathilaka, 2 Kusal Mendis, 3 Kusal Perera (wk), 4 Upul Tharanga, 5 Thisara Perera (capt), 6 Dasun Shanaka, 7 Jeevan Mendis, 8 Akila Dananjaya, 9 Suranga Lakmal, 10 Dushmantha Chameera, 11 Nuwan Pradeep.
Bangladesh (probable): 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Soumya Sarkar, 3 Liton Das, 4 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 5 Mahmudullah, 6 Shakib Al Hasan (capt), 7 Sabbir Rahman, 8 Mehidy Hasan, 9 Mustafizur Rahman, 10 Rubel Hossain, 11 Abu Hider.