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It's time for high stakes in the Nidahas Trophy 2018 as hosts Sri Lanka and Bangladesh get ready to lock horns in a virtual semifinal on Friday (March 16) at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Having lost to India the previous evening, Bangladesh received a sweet tonic when news of Shakib Al Hasan joining the squad broke through. The star all-rounder had been nursing a finger injury but following a smooth net session in Dhaka earlier, the decision to include the 30-year-old was made. Shakib's inclusion, if he passes the assessment, will not only add meat to Bangladesh's middle-order, which at present is heavily reliant on Mushfiqur Rahim, but also boost their spin potency with Nazmul Islam and Mehidy Hasan not proving to be as penetrative.
Sri Lanka, too, will be delighted to learn that their in-form opener Kusal Mendis is 'fit and ready to play', after he suffered a quadriceps muscle strain while fielding in the game against India on Monday. Mendis has made the opener's spot his own after earning that promotion on the Bangladesh tour, and with four fifties in his last five T20Is, there has been no looking back. Much like their opponents, the hosts, too, are reliant on their wicketkeeper-batsman, Kusal Janith Perera, who will be expected to carry his form forward. So far, both the Kusals haven't failed together and if that had to arrive at some point, Sri Lanka would need their middle-order to stand up.
The eerie similarity of both the teams in this tournament spills into their bowling departments too. Only Rubel Hossain has managed to hold his own in Bangladesh's pace battery, while none in Sri Lanka's fast bowling department has offered any semblance of assurance. The spinners too, have hardly made an impact, with Akila Dananjaya only making a late redemption through a fine performance in the last game. This clash also presents both teams with one final opportunity to up their spin game before they face off against India, who with Washington Sundar and Yuzvendra Chahal, have given nothing easy to the batsmen.
When: Friday, March 16, 7 PM Local
Where: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
What to expect: The weather forecast in Colombo remains the same with thundershowers expected during late afternoon or early evening. However, that's a 50-50 chance and shouldn't dent the playing conditions as much. Humidity levels rising up to 86 percent, though, will cause a worry.
Team News:
Sri Lanka
The hosts will be happy that opener Kusal Mendis has received a go-ahead to feature in the much important clash. His partner, Danushka Gunathilaka, though, is yet to make his presence felt. With plenty of bowling options in the eleven, they could be tempted to beef up their batting by bringing in Dananjaya de Silva.
Probable XI: Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera (wk), Danushka Gunathilaka/Dhananjaya de Silva, Upul Tharanga, Dasun Shanaka, Thisara Perera (c), Jeevan Mendis, Akila Dananjaya, Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal, Dushmantha Chameera
Bangladesh
If Shakib passes the fitness test, his inclusion will be a tricky decision that the management will need to make. With Liton Das having delivered once at the top of the order and Soumya Sarkar their most consistent T20 batsman, there's no possibility of a chop-and-change at the top. In such a case, the 30-year-old Shakib, in all likelihood, will replace Mehidy Hasan, given he can also offer those four overs of spin, while strengthening the batting in conjunction with Mushfiqur and Mahmudullah.
Probable XI: Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah (c), Sabbir Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Abu Hider Rony, Mustafizur Rahman, Nazmul Islam
What they said:
He [Shakib] has to be assessed like other players, to see if he is fit. If he is fit, then someone of his class and calibre is something that we will have to consider. First we need to assess him and then make an announcement - Courtney Walsh, Bangladesh head coach.
If you know our bowlers, I think in T20s, we have a very young attack. Some of them have played less than 10 matches, but that's not an excuse. That's why we are here, we want to give them experience. The challenge for them is the conditions - Chandika Hathurusingha, Sri Lanka head coach.
(CRICBUZZ)
