Dubai 1st of September : 2018 Asia Cup runners-up Bangladesh and five-time champions Sri Lanka find themselves in a do or die Group B battle in 2022’s Asia Cup at the Dubai International Stadium on Thursday.Both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka suffered defeats against Afghanistan which are currently in the Super Four stage and now sparks are beginning to fly between these two teams in anticipation of the virtual knockout game in Asia Cup 2022.
Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka took a dig at Bangladesh’s bowling attack calling Bangladesh the “easier opponent” in comparison to Afghanistan.”Afghanistan has an outstanding bowling team.We are aware that Fizz (Mustafizur Rahman) is a skilled bowler.Shakib (Al Hasan) is an elite bowler.”
“But aside from that there isn’t any top bowler in the team.If we take a look with Afghanistan, Bangladesh is an easier opponent,” Shanaka had said in an interview after Sri Lanka lost to Afghanistan.
Following the remarks of Shanaka, Sri Lanka assistant coach Naveed Nawaz said “it’s difficult to come to a consensus with Shanaka’s remarks.” On the day of the highly anticipated match, Bangladesh team director Khaled Mahmud directly rebutted the comments of Shanaka.
“I don’t know the reason Dasun made this comment.It is clear that Afghanistan has a more formidable team.
He claimed that we only have two bowlers in our squad, but I haven’t seen any bowlers in Sri Lanka.At the very least, Bangladesh is home to world class bowlers such as Mustafiz and Shakib.They do not even have the same players.It’s not about the words.It’s all about the way you play.”
Mahmud’s comments caught attention of Sri Lanka legend and former captain Mahela Jayawardene who called on Shanaka’s team to take a stand against Bangladesh on the field.”Looks like it’s the right time for @OfficialSLC bowlers the class of their batters and show how they are in the field” tweets Jayawardene.
Thursday’s do or die Group B game will determine which bowling attack comes out with the most success: Bangladesh or Sri Lanka.
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