BAN vs SL: X Factor-Wanindu Hasaranga

The five-time Asia Cup champions will battle for existence today (PC: Twitter)

The final match of group A of Asia Cup 2022 between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh is a virtual quarter-final. The team that wins will make it to the super 4 stage.

Bangladesh are the finalists of the last two editions of the tournament, on the other hand Sri Lanka is the second most successful team in the history of the tournament. So, it will be a battle of prestidge between the two teams. 

Let us look at the match from Sri Lanka’s perspective and try to find out what bowling plans could be employed by the Lankan Lions against the Bangla Tigers. 

Where did the Bangladesh batters struggle in their previous encounter against Afghanistan? 

The spin twins of Mujeeb ur Rahman and Rashid Khan dismantled the complete batting order of Bangladesh. The two spinners bowled 8 overs and picked up 6 wickets in them conceding just 37 runs. 

Let us try and find out where the Bangladesh batters struggled the most. 

Bangladesh left hand batters' record against spinners vs Afghanistan

Bangladesh right hand batters' record against spinners vs Afghanistan

So as the two tables suggest for the left handed batters in Bangladesh’s batting order the incoming balls have been troublesome from the spinner, while in case of the right handed batters it has been the away going deliveries. 

Spinners’ Plan 

The Sri Lankan XI that played in the last match had two off spinners and one leg spinner in it. So, for the skipper, he has to use the spinners cleverly while keeping a watch on the type of batter at the crease. 

Also, the fact that the mainstay of the Bangladesh batting order struggles against wrist spin must be there in Dasuna Shanak’s mind. 

Wanindu Hasranga will hold the key for Sri Lanka tonight

The X-Factor for Sri Lanka in today’s match will surely be: Wanindu Hasaranga. 

This claim stands despite the fact that the match will be taking place at the Dubai International Stadium, where pace bowlers had more impact on the matches till now. The visible weakness of the Bangladesh batting order against spin and how the Sri Lankan team exploits will decide the fate of the match. 

Also Read: Asia Cup 2022: Match 2-Game Plan India