BAN vs SL Match Preview– ICC World Cup 2023, Match 38

The BAN vs SL ICC World Cup 2023 match will be played in Delhi on November 6, Monday. The match starts from 2 pm IST with Sri Lanka needing a win to stay alive in the tournament. Bangladesh have been eliminated from the tournament after six consecutive losses in the tournament. 

Sri Lanka are heading into this game after losing to India in their previous game. They were bowled out for 55 chasing 358 to win as they lost the game by 302 runs. The Lankans have been below par in this World Cup so far and the absence of key players due to injury have added to make matters worse. Getting to 8 points might not be enough to take them through to the semi-final as their NRR have taken a beating after the India defeat. 

Bangladesh, on the other hand, are heading into this game after six consecutive losses. Their only win so far in this campaign was against Afghanistan. Since then they have been on a losing streak and lost by big margins. The BCB and the management have been waiting for answers given how they have played so far in this tournament. Lopsided batting performance coupled with constant chopping and changing of the playing XI has resulted in big losses. 

Also Read: BAN vs SL: Sri Lanka Cricket Seeks Explanation Over Poor Performance Against India: Reports

Meanwhile, both teams have objected to playing in Delhi due to the rise in air pollution levels. Bangladesh were forced to cancel their training session on Friday. The Sri Lankan cricketers have also objected to playing in Delhi as per a report in Cricketnext. Meanwhile, as per the BCCI and the ICC, the match will be played as per schedule and there are still no talks of the game being shifted to another venue.

BAN vs SL Match Preview– ICC World Cup 2023, Match 38

Sri Lanka 

The side has been crippled by multiple injury concerns. Wanindu Hasaranga, Dasun Shanaka, Matheesha Pathirana, and Lahiru Kumara are ruled out with injuries. Dusmantha Chameera who was not a part of the initial squad was called as cover for Lahiru once he was injured. 

The batting has hugely revolved around Kusal Mendis, the stand-in-skipper, and Pathum Nissanks. The rest of the batters have just not scored too many runs in the tournament so far. Given they are in a must-win situation, they will need to play as a unit to win their remaining two games. Dilshan Madushanka despite his team not doing too well is the leading wicket-taker in the tournament with 18 wickets from seven games.

Sri Lanka Squad 

 Kusal Mendis (c), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Angelo Mathews, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushan Hemantha, Chamika Karunaratne

Bangladesh 

Bangladesh seems to have just not turned up for the World Cup. They have been outclassed by every team that they have played against. Shakib Al Hasan as skipper has not been proactive enough. He has underbatted himself in the tournament given the experience that he possesses in international cricket. Constant changes in the batting order also added to their concerns. 

Their bowling attack has looked ineffective, to say the least especially when they have played against tough opposition. The loss to the Netherlands meant that they were the first team to be eliminated from the tournament. Notably, the top 7 teams at the end of the league stage of World Cup 2023 along with hosts Pakistan will feature in the Champions Trophy in 2025. Bangladesh given that they are already eliminated has missed a direction qualification.

Bangladesh Squad 

Shakib Al Hasan (c), Litton Kumer Das, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto (vc), Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nasum Ahmed, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib.

Also Read: BAN vs SL: Bangladesh Forced To Cancel Training Session Due To Delhi Air Pollution