Sri Lanka slight favourites in Super Four opener against Bangladesh

Bangladesh cricket fans had to put on hold their antagonistic feelings towards Sri Lanka for a couple of days - they needed Sri Lanka to beat Afghanistan to stay alive in the Asia Cup, after all. That's how it panned out, leaving Bangladesh fans thrilled. Social media in Bangladesh has been buzzing with self-deprecating memes, all with photos of the Sri Lankan flag or Bangladeshis wearing the Sri Lanka jersey.

The rivalry that has developed over the last seven years has often been full of cringe-worthy elements, but it's also true that the players have been able to move up an extra gear whenever they've been in contest with each other. So there is a lot of interest in Saturday's match, the first of the Super Four stage.

Charith Asalanka's side has been the more dominant in the Asia Cup. They won all three of their group games, including against Bangladesh. Curiously, Hong Kong pushed them harder than Bangladesh or Afghanistan could.

Importantly for them, Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis commandeered the 170-run chase against Afghanistan relieving the pressure that's been on Pathum Nissanka. The opener has been in good form and has been crying out for support. Sri Lanka were finally able to give that to him and will take confidence from that going into the pointy end of this tournament.

Bangladesh have an opportunity for course correction. Some of it is already underway with Parvez Hossain losing his spot in the team. Tanzid Hasan took his spot and struck a breezy fifty which suggested he has tweaked his powerplay strategy. Saif Hassan has looked competent but Sri Lanka will be a major test for the comeback man. Bangladesh suffered back-to-back wicket maidens to start the game when the teams last met. The balance of their bowling is another puzzle they must solve. Their fifth-bowler combination (Said and Shamim Hossain) didn't work in the previous game.

This promises to be a closer contest than the earlier game. The stakes are higher, with the first set of points so crucial. Asalanka and Litton Das will also be leading two sets of players eager to one-up each other after a brief bit of peace.

Bangladesh WLWWW (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Sri Lanka WWWWL

Mustafizur Rahman took three wickets to help Bangladesh against Afghanistan, but the left-arm quick has been quite expensive in the Asia Cup. Especially in the group match against Sri Lanka, Mustafizur bowled his most expensive spell of the year (3-0-35-1). Bangladesh will hope the left-arm quick returns to his stingy best. Mustafizur will have the added motivation of completing 150 wickets in T20Is - he is four short of the milestone - and also overtaking Shakib Al Hasan, who has 149.

Kusal Mendis carried Sri Lanka to their six-wicket win against Afghanistan with a sparkling, unbeaten 74. Mendis is also very good against Bangladesh. He is already Sri Lanka's second-highest run-getter with four centuries across formats against them. He is undoubtedly the key wicket in the Super Four opener.

Bangladesh could bring in either of the allrounders Mahedi Hasan and Mohammad Saifuddin to fill their fifth-bowler gap.

Bangladesh (probable): 1 Tanzid Hasan, 2 Saif Hassan, 3 Litton Das (capt, wk), 4 Towhid Hridoy, 5 Shamim Hossain, 6 Nurul Hasan, 7 Jaker Ali, 8 Rishad Hossain, 9 Nasum Ahmed, 10 Taskin Ahmed, 11 Mustafizur Rahman

Sri Lanka will look at Maheesh Theekshana to fill in for Dunith Wellalage, who has flown back home following the death of his father.

Sri Lanka (probable): 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Kusal Mendis (wk), 3 Kamil Mishara, 4 Kusal Perera, 5 Charith Asalanka (capt), 6 Kamindu Mendis, 7 Dasun Shanaka, 8 Wanindu Hasaranga, 9 Maheesh Theekshana, 10 Dushmantha Chameera, 11 Nuwan Thushara

Batters have only gone at a strike rate of 109.26 in Dubai at this Asia Cup. Abu Dhabi, for comparison, has been slightly better - 119.50. The slow nature of Dubai's pitches have certainly helped the spinners. The weather forecast is for a typical hot evening.