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Asia Cup | Shakib Al Hasan Opts To Field In A ‘Must-Win’ Tie vs Sri Lanka

image-lmbr6syfDasun Shanaka tossing the coin during Asia Cup 2023 (AP Photos)

As the Asia Cup 2023 moves from Multan, Pallekele, and Lahore, the remaining six fixtures of the competition will be played in Colombo, including the final on September 17. It all begins with defending champion Sri Lanka taking on Bangladesh on Saturday (September 9) at R. Premadasa Stadium.

Ahead of the contest, Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan called the coin toss correctly, and decided to field first. The Tigers made one change in their playing XI, as Nasum Ahmed came in place of Afif Hossain. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, kept the same lineup.


SL vs BAN captains' thoughts after the toss

Shakib Al Hasan

“We will field first, for no particular reason; there could be some rain around. We have one extra bowler, and we will bowl first. A must-win situation, but playing against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka isn't easy. There is no room for complacency, it's a bit different from Pakistan, and we'll have to adjust. One change, Nasum replaces Afif Hossain.”

Dasun Shanaka

“We would have batted first; it'll seam and spin a bit under lights. The rules in ODIs make it difficult to defend totals, but we do have class bowlers like Pathiran and Theekshana who helped us fight back against Afghanistan. The talk is about trusting yourself and following the process. The guys have been delivering, and that's key to being on the right side. Same team for us.”



SL vs BAN Playing XIs

Sri Lanka XI vs Bangladesh

Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis(wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka(c), Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana

Bangladesh XI vs Sri Lanka

Mohammad Naim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Litton Das, Shakib Al Hasan(c), Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim(wk), Shamim Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Nasum Ahmed