Tanzim makes WC debut as Bangladesh opt to bowl first

Express Report
  ০৬ নভেম্বর ২০২৩, ১৫:৫৬

Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan today won the toss and sent Sri Lanka into bat first in their eighth game of the ICC Cricket World Cup, predicting that bowling at night will be difficult due to excessive dew at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

Pacer Tanzim Hasan Sakib would make his World Cup debut, for Bangladesh's only change from the previous game, replacing Mustafizur Rahman who, according to Shakib, was not fit enough to play the game.

"We would field first, looks like a very good surface. There was a lot of dew when we practiced. There are a lot of expectations but we couldn't fill up," Shakib said after the toss. "We have two more games and we would like to do well. We have to be technically sound and also mentally sound."

Bangladesh began the World Cup with a six-wicket victory over Afghanistan but then lost six matches on the trot to be eliminated from the semifinal race. But still this game against Sri Lanka is crucial to keep their ICC Champions Trophy hopes alive.

The same thing is also applicable for the Lankans who are out of the semifinal race after winning only two matches.

They made two changes from the previous game with Kusal Perera and Dhananjaya de Silva returning to the side in the place of Dimuth Karunaratne and Dushan Hemantha.

"Looks like a good wicket, I don't mind batting first. We want to put up a good score on this pitch, I think 300 plus would be good," Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis said.

Line Ups:

Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Liton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim(w), Mahmudullah Riyad, Shakib Al Hasan(c), Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam.

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis(w/c), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka