Bangladesh has had a rough patch, losing their last six games. The team's performance has been inconsistent, and their key players haven't been able to deliver collectively. Moreover, Bangladesh has a less than stellar track record against Sri Lanka, having lost six out of their last eight encounters. The Sri Lankans themselves are not in the best state of mind, so the match is expected to be closely contested.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Bangladesh Preview

Shakib al Hasan's team had a promising start to the tournament with a win but has since suffered six consecutive losses. In their most recent match, they faced a seven-wicket defeat against Pakistan, marking them as the first team to be eliminated from the tournament. It's been a significant setback for a team that was expected to perform well in these conditions. Now, they are playing for pride and will aim to put on a strong display in their upcoming game.

At the top of the batting order, Litton Das and Tanzid Hasan have struggled to find consistency, and they will be eager to make meaningful contributions in the upcoming match. In the middle order, Bangladesh will rely on Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib, and Mushfiqur Rahim to anchor the innings. Mahmudullah has been a reliable presence in the lower middle order and will look to score quickly along with Towhid Hridoy and Mehidy Hasan Miraz.

Bangladesh's bowling attack has been inconsistent in terms of form. They will be counting on Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam to trouble the Sri Lankan batting lineup, which is currently lacking confidence. The team will also expect their experienced bowlers like Mustafizur Rahman, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and Shakib to step up and deliver a strong performance in this crucial contest.

Sri Lanka Preview

Kusal Mendis and his team are facing a daunting task as they look to bounce back from their recent nightmare against India. The massive 302-run loss in their last game has raised serious doubts about their skills and mental strength. Their series of losses with significant margins has put their chances of advancing to the next round in jeopardy. To keep their hopes alive, Mendis and his squad must secure a resounding victory to improve their dismal run-rate, while also relying on favorable results in other matches.

In the previous game against India, Sri Lanka's batting lineup suffered a catastrophic collapse, getting bowled out for a mere 55 runs. For their next match, they will be banking on a solid start from Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne. Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama have shown promise in the tournament, and they will be aiming to establish fruitful partnerships, particularly with Charith Asalanka in the middle order. Angelo Mathews and Dushan Hemantha will be crucial in the lower middle order, and the team will rely on their contributions.

Sri Lanka's bowling attack has struggled to execute their plans effectively in most matches. Dilshan Madushanka has been a standout bowler and will need to provide early breakthroughs, alongside Dushmantha Chameera. Kasun Rajitha and Maheesh Theekshana will be tasked with bowling tight spells in the middle overs to control the scoring rate. Hemantha and Matthews are expected to play vital supporting roles in the bowling department to help their team's chances of success.

Final Result: Sri Lanka to win

Bangladesh arrives at this juncture with a troubling streak of six consecutive losses. The team's star players have yet to hit their stride, posing a significant challenge for the squad. They will need to approach their upcoming match with a positive mindset in order to secure a victory.

On the other side, the Sri Lankans haven't fared much better recently, but they can draw confidence from their impressive historical record against Bangladesh. We anticipate a closely contested match, but the Sri Lankans hold a slight advantage based on their past performances.