A determined Sri Lanka will take inspiration from their unbeaten group campaign and start favourites against an inconsistent Bangladesh in the first Super Four match of the Asia Cup here on Saturday. Ably led by Charith Asalanka, the Lankans finished on top of Group B with three wins from as many matches, ahead of Bangladesh and T20 World Cup semi-finalists Afghanistan.
Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by six wickets before defeating Hong Kong and Afghanistan by four and six wickets respectively. But the Lankans are very capable of collapsing as well. The Islanders almost lost against Hong Kong on Monday after opener Pathum Nissanka’s fifty. A brittle middle-order is the major concern for Sri Lanka as they were on the verge of a familiar nosedive against Hong Kong, just three weeks after they were bowled out for 80 by Zimbabwe in Harare.
Bangladesh, on the other hand, progressed to the Super Four stage on Sri Lanka’s mercy. Had the Islanders lost against Afghanistan on Thursday, Bangladesh would have been out of the tournament. Bangladesh started the tournament with an easy seven-wicket win over Hong Kong before going down to Sri Lanka by six wickets. They brought their campaign back on track after a narrow eight-run win over Afghanistan.
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