The opening match of the Asia Cup sees two potential winners taking centre stage when Bangladesh take on Sri Lanka in the first game of the tournament from Group B in Dubai. This is cutthroat cricket in this first stage and neither side can afford to lose.
Whoever loses this match might have a second chance against Afghanistan but they would not want to have the pressure of having to beat them to progress so this might actually be one of the most competitive matches of the tournament.
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Bangladesh
I get the feeling this is a big tournament for Bangladesh. They have improved no end in the 50 over format, especially in the big competitions but they haven’t won one yet. They have a chance to win this one but they will need to begin positively if they are to come through so all eyes will be on them in this contest.
One of the reasons why Bangladesh have performed well in this format over the course of the last three years or so is their experienced batting. They have four or five really good batsmen who know how to play and get their side up to decent totals. In Shakib and Mustafizur they have two very classy bowlers. Don’t write off this lot.
Sri Lanka
It is certainly a big tournament for Sri Lanka. They are fading in this format of the game and fast but it is probably the one which has given them much of their success through the years so they need to revive themselves in it. Back in the day it would have been automatic that they would qualify from this group but such has been their decline you wonder if they are ripe for a shock.
Sri Lanka are fading because their batting is far too flimsy at the minute. Too often their lower order have to face too many deliveries which is never good. They also don’t really have a seamer they can rely on hence they keep on going back to Lasith Malinga but even his potency is diminishing through the years.
Team News
There is no Sabbir Rahman for Bangladesh in this tournament so Liton Das is expected to open up alongside Tamim Iqbal. Rubel Hossain is expected to get the third seamer spot with this not really a ground for huge spin attacks.
Sri Lanka will be without Dinesh Chandimal for this tournament while Akila Dananjaya is away on paternity leave. Dilruwan Perera is expected to take his place in the side with Niroshan Dickwella opening up with Upul Tharanga.
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Betting
I’ll ease my way into this tournament with just the one bet which comes in the form of the player performance markets with the one in question being the one for Thisara Perera who has a decent record against Bangladesh.
Perera has three 50s in just eight innings against Bangladesh including his top ODI score while he also has five two wicket hauls in 13 bowling spells against them so quite often he is covering the 38.5pts that his line is set for here. He was in decent touch with the bat and the ball against South Africa recently and I think he can cover 38.5pts in this match.
Tips
Back T.Perera’s Performance – Over 38.5pts for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with Bet365
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