Mirpur: On a rampaging run with three wins in as many matches, table-toppers Sri Lanka will look to continue their unbeaten streak when they take on a demoralised Bangladesh in an inconsequential one-dayer of the Asia Cup cricket tournament in Mirpur on Thursday.
Four-time champions, Sri Lanka cruised into the finals of the Asia Cup, riding on their invincible run in the tournament where they defeated Pakistan, India and Afghanistan in their last three matches. Bangladesh, on the other hand, have been winless in the tournament and are languishing at the bottom of the points table.
The hosts lost to India in their tournament-opener but it was the moral-shattering defeat against minnows Afghanistan which hurt them most. However, the Bengal tigers came out blasting all cylinders against Pakistan on Tuesday, posting a record total of 326 for three, only to see Shahid Afridi blow away their hopes with a blistering 25-ball 59.
Bangladesh will now play for pride when they clash with Sri Lanka on Thursday, and would look to take some positives from the last night's match and repeat a similar show with the bat. Bangladesh's top and middle order fired in unison against Pakistan on Tuesday as Anamul Haque, Imrul Kayes, Mominul Haque and skipper Rahim piled up agony on the bowlers at the Shere Bangla National Stadium.
However, it will be a difficult task to tame the four-time champions who have been simply magnificent so far in the tournament. Kumar Sangakkara has been in the form of his life as he blasted scores of 67, 103 and 76 in the last three innings and Bangladesh will have to get rid off the left-hand batsman at the earliest to salvage any hope of a win.
