ICC World Cup 2023, BAN vs SL | 5 Player Battles to Watch Out For

image-lolhing2Sri Lanka and Bangladesh has a lot to play for (AP Photo)

The 38th match of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 is set to feature a clash between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. The Tigers secured victory in their opening match but have faced a challenging streak, losing six consecutive games, while the Sri Lankan Lions have also encountered difficulties with five defeats in the flagship tournament.

Bangladesh, who have already been eliminated from the World Cup, were initially expected to make an impact in this year's tournament. However, their players have largely failed to meet expectations. Despite their disappointing performance, they now have an opportunity to secure a win against a struggling Sri Lanka side.

On the other hand, Sri Lanka has been grappling with a series of injuries over the past few months, forcing changes in their bowling attack. While their bowlers have been inconsistent, it's the batting department that has let them down, and they must improve their performance in this game to avoid another defeat.

This match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka has evolved into a growing rivalry, characterized by heated exchanges between players from both teams in the past. This adds intrigue to their rivalry, and this game promises to be an exciting contest.


Dilshan Madushanka vs Litton Das

image-lolaapeyDilshan Madushanka. (Reuters)

The ongoing World Cup has been a breakthrough tournament for Sri Lanka's left-arm seamer, Dilshan Madushanka. Despite Sri Lanka's struggles, Madushanka has been a standout performer, notably coming off a five-wicket haul against India. He will enter the game with confidence and aim to unsettle Litton Das early in the innings. Litton, on the other hand, has been struggling for form and will face a stern test against Madushanka's ability to move the ball both ways.

Pathum Nissanka vs Mustafizur Rahman

image-lolaa3obMustafizur Rahman. (AP)

Pathum Nissanka has made a positive impression during the 2023 Cricket World Cup and will be eager to contribute against Bangladesh, especially after a disappointing golden duck in the previous game. Bangladesh will be eager to dismiss him, and to do that, they may turn to Mustafizur Rahman, who has previously dismissed Nissanka in ODIs. Mustafizur possesses the skills to challenge both the inside and outside edges of the bat.

Shakib Al Hasan vs Sadeera Samarawickrama

image-lola8ue8Shakib Al Hasan. (X.com)

A key player battle in this game will feature Bangladesh's premier spinner, Shakib Al Hasan, against Sri Lanka's most proficient player of spin in the tournament, Sadeera Samarawickrama. Shakib has yet to dismiss Sadeera, but the upcoming match offers an ideal opportunity for the left-arm spinner to assert his dominance over the Sri Lankan batter. 

Sadeera got out while playing a loose shot in the last game, and he will be eager to make amends against Bangladesh. On the other hand, Shakib will be determined to dismiss him early in his innings, setting the stage for an intriguing contest between bat and ball.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz vs Charith Asalanka

image-lola7ohxMehidy Hasan Miraz. (AP)

Mehidy Hasan Miraz is often considered the next Shakib for Bangladesh. He has shown promise and glimpses of emulating Shakib's style of play in his international career. In this game, Mehidy has the crucial role of picking wickets at pivotal moments. As a right-arm off-spinner, Mehidy enjoys bowling to left-handed batters, making his battle with Charith Asalanka an important matchup. Asalanka has endured a challenging tournament thus far, and Mehidy has the opportunity to further exploit his weaknesses. This middle-overs battle will have a significant impact on the direction of the match.

Dushmantha Chameera vs Najmul Hossain Shanto

image-lola6v4hDushmantha Chameera. (AFP)

Dushmantha Chameera has performed well but hasn't taken as many wickets as he would have liked in this World Cup. The Delhi pitch has offered bounce, and if the conditions remain the same, Chameera's pace and height will pose a significant challenge for Bangladeshi batters. Chameera's ability to deliver short balls could particularly trouble Najmul Hossain Shanto, who has struggled against such deliveries. 

Their battle will be an engaging contest, with the Lankan seamer looking to unsettle Najmul with well-directed short-pitched deliveries and the young Bangladeshi batter aiming to respond effectively to this challenge.