In their opening match, Sri Lanka chose to bat first but struggled against South Africa, managing only 77 runs before being bowled out in 19.2 overs. None of their batsmen scored more than 20 runs.
A key issue for Sri Lanka has been their lack of batting depth, as seen in this match where middle-order players Wanindu Hasaranga, Sadeera Samarawickrama, and Charith Asalanka combined for just six runs.
Despite their batting woes, Sri Lanka's bowling showed promise. With only 77 runs to defend, they managed to stretch the game to the 17th over and took four wickets along the way. Even with the loss, Sri Lanka can draw confidence from their recent record against Bangladesh, winning four of their last five encounters, including a series win in Bangladesh earlier this year.
On the other hand, Bangladesh had a solid warm-up campaign leading up to the T20 World Cup. They arrived early in the US and played a series against the hosts to acclimate to the conditions. However, their performance in these prep games was underwhelming.
They lost the series against the US 2-1, with their only win coming when the US rested several first-team players. Additionally, Bangladesh were easily beaten by India in their final warm-up match and have won just one of their last four T20 games, including a nine-run defeat to Zimbabwe last month.
One bright spot for Bangladesh has been Tanzid Tamim, who scored three half-centuries in his first seven games. However, their top-order has struggled, with Litton Das, Soumya Sarkar, and Nazmul Hossain Shanto failing to deliver consistently this year.
Despite these challenges, Bangladesh has experienced players like Mahmudullah and Shakib Al Hasan who can provide crucial support to new captain Najmul Hossain Shanto in his first ICC tournament as captain.
INJURIES & SUSPENSION
Kusal Mendis made a significant impact at last year's 50-over World Cup in India and aims to replicate that success in the Caribbean. The right-handed batter has amassed nearly 1,200 runs in this World Cup cycle, almost 500 more than any other Sri Lankan player.Angelo Mathews and Dasun Shanaka will offer invaluable experience as seam-bowling all-rounders, while captain Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, and Dunith Wellalage will provide crucial spin-bowling options.
For Bangladesh, vice-captain Taskin Ahmed is a potential injury concern leading up to this weekend's match, and his fitness will be assessed before the final team announcement.
Right-hander Towhid Hridoy is expected to perform well, having just finished two impressive seasons in the typically low-scoring Bangladesh Premier League, where he scored over 400 runs each season and maintained a strike rate of over 150 against pace bowling.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Sri Lanka squad: Wanindu Hasaranga (c), Charith Asalanka, Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Kamindu Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya De Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka.Bangladesh squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Taskin Ahmed, Litton Kumer Das, Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Shakib Al Hasan, Tawhid Hridoy, Mahmud Ullah Riyad, Jaker Ali Anik, Tanvir Islam, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib.
EXPERT PREDICTION
Sri Lanka To win
With two evenly matched sides facing off, this match could easily go down to the wire. However, we believe the Lions will prevail and secure their first points of the tournament.