Litton Das won the toss in Dubai and, after a quick glance at a rather patchy surface, chose to bowl first as the Super Fours stage of the Asia Cup got going. Chasing teams have won around 70% of the matches here, so the call was hardly a surprise. Litton admitted he was a touch “confused” about how the strip might play, but he still felt safer putting Sri Lanka in.
Sri Lanka, who normally like the comfort of a chase themselves, stayed unchanged. Dunith Wellalage is back in the XI after returning home for his father’s funeral—an emotional few days, no doubt, but he slots in at No. 9 as usual. Charith Asalanka, leading the side in this tournament, said he doesn’t mind setting a total on a used pitch, especially if it keeps getting slower.
Bangladesh have shuffled things, bringing in off-spinner Mahedi Hasan and left-arm seamer Shoriful Islam. The logic is fairly clear: Sri Lanka’s top six boasts four left-handers, and Mahedi’s angles plus Shoriful’s swing give Litton a couple of match-ups he likes.
Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar, on pitch-side duty, pointed out that dew can tip the balance toward the team chasing. “If it doesn’t arrive and the surface dries out further, that calculation changes,” he warned. One square boundary is noticeably shorter too, something both sets of batters will eye in the powerplay.
The teams
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka (capt), Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara.
Bangladesh: Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan, Litton Das (capt, wk), Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali, Shamim Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman.
A fresh stage, familiar rivals, and just enough uncertainty about the surface to keep everyone guessing.
