Dubai 1st of September : 2018 Asia Cup runners-up Bangladesh and five-time champions Sri Lanka find themselves in a must-win Group B battle in the 2022 Asia Cup at the Dubai International Stadium on Thursday.Both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka suffered defeats against Afghanistan who are already in the Super Four stage and now sparks are beginning to fly between these two teams in anticipation of an actual knockout game in Asia Cup 2022.
Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka has taken a jab 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 great bowler.Shakib (Al Hasan) is an elite bowler.”
“But aside from them there isn’t any professional of the highest level in the team.If we look at Bangladesh with Afghanistan, Bangladesh is an easier opponent,” Shanaka had said in an interview following Sri Lanka lost to Afghanistan.
Following the remarks that were made by Shanaka, Sri Lanka assistant coach Naveed Nawaz said “it’s difficult to agree with Shanaka’s comments.” On the day of the highly anticipated match, Bangladesh team director Khaled Mahmud straightly rebutted the remarks that were made by Shanaka.
“I don’t know the reason Dasun made the comment.Absolutely, Afghanistan has a better team.
He claimed that we only have two bowlers in our squad, but I can’t find 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 words.It’s all about the way you play.”
Mahmud’s remarks caught the attention of Sri Lanka legend and former captain Mahela Jayawardene who called on the Shanaka-led team to take a stand against Bangladesh in the field.”Looks that it’s the right time for @OfficialSLC bowlers show their quality and show how they really are,” tweets Jayawardene.
In the afternoon, in the afternoon, Bangladesh wicketkeeper-battler Nurul Hasan who is unable to play in the current Asia Cup due to a finger injury, heightened the excitement by tweeting “We are clearly favourites to win today in the 2022 Asia Cup.It’s only an issue of how long it will take us to can execute our first-class batting, bowling, and team effort, In Shaa Allah.Let’s prove who is the most successful playing on the field.”
Thursday’s do or die Group B game will decide which bowling attack comes out with the most success: Bangladesh or Sri Lanka.
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