The Asia Cup continues on Sunday and it is a huge day for the tournament hosts Bangladesh when they go up against Sri Lanka with the loser likely to exit the competition before the final.
Bangladesh have a win and a defeat to their name from two matches so far in the tournament while Sri Lanka nervously edged past a determined and gutsy UAE side in their only match to date in the event.
Bangladesh will know that a second defeat is unlikely to give them the chance to make it into the final so they are in must win territory but they go into the game off the back of a comfortable win over the UAE last time out which should have restored a bit of confidence.
While Sri Lanka could on paper afford a loss with India and Pakistan still to come for them in the tournament that loss could really do with not coming here to give them some room for a bad day at the office later in the competition.
I don’t foresee too many changes from this Bangladesh side after such a comprehensive win in their last match. They have bowled well throughout the tournament and they have some dynamic batsmen in their side at the minute so life is good for the Tigers going into the game.
Sri Lanka have another fitness concern over their captain Lasith Malinga. He is a game day decision but I wouldn’t be surprised if he sits this one out as a precaution ahead of the mountain of cricket still to come. Thisara Perera could be most likely to replace him should Malinga not make it.
A trend of this tournament is rapidly becoming how it is harder to bat on these wickets. That doesn’t surprise anyone I wouldn’t think. Day in day out the square is constantly exposed to the elements and that has to take its toll so I’m expecting the bowlers to dominate again here.
Bangladesh could be a value price if they can back up their last performance and if Malinga doesn’t make it that value increases immediately but Sri Lanka have plenty of canny bowlers who could thrive in these conditions.
With that in mind I fancy a low scoring match here and one when wickets fall quite regularly. I quite like the idea of there being over 13.5 wickets in this match. That bet would have landed in every match in the tournament since the opening game and even that had 13 wickets in it. With the pitches getting harder to bat on and bowling being the strength of these two sides that is worth a go.
I’m also going to ride the wave of the highest individual score being low. The low line for the bet is under 55 and we’ve not seen anything like that score since Sharma’s knock in the opening innings of the tournament.
The last three innings in this tournament have been scores in the 80s for the entire team so that 55 could remain a little too high especially with the solid attacks both these sides have in potentially tough conditions to bat.
WON – Back Over 13.5 wickets for a 4/10 stake at 2.20 with Betway
Back Highest Individual Score – Under 55 runs for a 3/10 stake at 2.50 with Stan James
