Asia Cup: Bangladesh beats Sri Lanka by 137 runs

Catch all the live updates as Bangladesh takes on Sri Lanka in the first match of the Asia Cup in Dubai.

Lasith Malinga celebrates the dismissal of Shakib Al Hasan with teammates.

Good evening and welcome to Sportstar's live coverage of the Asia Cup opener as Bangladesh takes on Sri Lanka in Dubai.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

 

Teams: Sri Lanka  (Playing XI): Upul Tharanga, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Perera(w), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews(c), Thisara Perera, Dasun Shanaka, Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal, Amila Aponso, Dilruwan Perera Bangladesh  (Playing XI): Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim(w), Mahmudullah, Mohammad Mithun, Mosaddek Hossain, Mehidy Hasan, Mashrafe Mortaza(c), Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman

 

Bangladesh has won the toss and opted to bat.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Pitch Report by Rameez Raja- There is hardly any grass. The track is flat too. There is absolutely nothing for the seamers although the spinners may find it a little useful. It is a batting heaven, though. Cracks would not prove to be that significant. The dew factor in the second innings will prove important when the ball will be difficult to grip.

Teams: Sri Lanka : Upul Tharanga, Niroshan Dickwella(w), Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews(c), Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Dasun Shanaka, Suranga Lakmal, Kasun Rajitha, Lasith Malinga, Shehan Jayasuriya, Dilruwan Perera, Amila Aponso, Dushmantha Chameera Bangladesh : Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim(w), Mahmudullah, Mosaddek Hossain, Mashrafe Mortaza(c), Mehidy Hasan, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Nazmul Islam, Mohammad Mithun, Ariful Haque, Abu Hider Rony, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Mominul Haque

 

Bangladesh, having freshly tasted success against the Windies at the Caribbean,will be high on confidence when it takes on Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup opener in Dubai on Saturday.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will be looking to avenge its Nidahas Trophy losses when it takes on the Tigers.

With T20 leagues mushrooming all over the globe, multi-nation ODI tournaments are getting as redundant as Associate teams in terms of making to the marquee events. No wonder then that when the Asia Cup has come calling – with a six-team format including an Associate – the hard-core cricket fanatics and connoisseurs alike will get a sense of deja vu. (REPORT)