T20 WC 2021 Match 15: SL vs BAN Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report : CricBlog

Last Updated on 4 weeks by Charbel Coorey

T20 WC 2021 Match 15: SL vs BAN Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | BAN vs SL Dream11 Prediction Today | Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh Key Players | Sharjah Pitch Report

A week ago, there was some uncertainty as to whether Sri Lanka and Bangladesh would even feature in the Super 12s. Bangladesh had lost to Scotland, and Sri Lanka were about to begin their campaign in what looked to be a very competitive Group A.

Not only did Sri Lanka qualify, but they thumped Namibia, Ireland and Netherlands with ease. That is cause for great confidence, as their bowling attack is firing. Bangladesh responded to the questions posed at them in strong fashion, beating Oman and then thumping PNG to seal their spot in the Super 12s.

Now, given the batting worries of South Africa, Australia and West Indies, both these teams have to believe they can make a mark in the 2021 T20 World Cup. Sharjah suits both these teams given their strong spin attacks, with Bangladesh particularly impressive in similar conditions back home against Australia and New Zealand earlier this year. So, it makes for a fascinating contest with a crucial two points up for grabs in a very tough Group 1.

Table of Contents

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Sri Lanka:

Kusal Perera has a magnificent record against Bangladesh with five half-centuries in seven matches. He has slammed a total of 365 runs at an average of 52.14 and strike rate of 146.58.
Avishka Fernando scored 62* against Bangladesh in a warm up match before the T20 World Cup. Fernando came into the tournament on the back of scores of 83*, 33, 62* and 61*, followed by a composed 30* off 28 balls vs Namibia.
It has been a pattern of high score, low score for Pathum Nissanka in recent matches. The opener struck just 15 against Bangladesh in the warm up, followed by 76 vs PNG, 5 vs Namibia, 61 vs Ireland and 0 vs Netherlands. Given that the best time to bat at Sharjah is in the powerplay, Nissanka will be key today.
What a player Wanindu Hasaranga is. He was irresistible in the first phase of the tournament, taking six wickets in three matches at an average of 7.50 and economy rate of 4.09. This includes 3/9 on this ground. He also scored a 47-ball 71 vs Ireland, so he is more than capable of contributing with the bat too.
Maheesh Theekshana was also magnificent in phase one, taking eight wickets at an average of 5.62 and economy rate of 5.00. Sri Lanka will be hoping he is fit to play after picking up an injury vs Netherlands.
Can Lahiru Kumara expose Bangladesh’s inconsistent finishing? The seamer has been cranking up the pace, and has been too good so far in the tournament. He has seven wickets to his name at an average of 5.42 and and economy rate of 3.61. Incredible numbers.

Bangladesh:

Shakib Al Hasan, of course. The star all-rounder has won player of the match in each of Bangladesh’s last six victories at ICC events.
Interestingly, Shakib doesn’t have the best of batting records vs Sri Lanka (7 inns, 144 runs, avg. 20.57, SR 109.92). However, he has the second-most wickets for Bangladesh against the Lions with 10 wickets at an average of just 14.00 and economy rate of 6.36.
Mahmudullah continues to produce for Bangladesh when it matters. The underrated skipper is coming off an important 28-ball 50 vs PNG and has a fine record against Sri Lanka: 10 inns, 261 runs, avg. 37.28, SR 146.62.
Mushfiqur Rahim is having a terrible year in T20Is, with just 88 runs in eight matches at an average of 14.66 and strike rate of 71.54. However, today could be the day he delivers as he has the second-most runs for any Bangladeshi against Sri Lanka in T20Is: 239 runs, avg. 34.14, SR 148.44.
Also, Rahim was outstanding against Sri Lanka in an ODI series earlier this year, striking scores of 84, 125 and 28.
Mahedi Hasan was excellent for Bangladesh in phase one of the tournament. He took five wickets at an economy rate of just 4.41. Given that batting in the middle overs is very tough in Sharjah, Mahedi will have a key role to play today in a stage he is very impressive in.
Mustafizur Rahman has the most wickets of any current bowler in BAN-SL T20Is (7 matches, 11 wickets, avg. 20.18, econ. 8.88). The Fizz will no doubt be key on the slow Sharjah track with his cutters.

Stats and Facts

Head-to-head: Matches 11, Sri Lanka 7, Bangladesh 4.
Sri Lanka conceded scores of just 96, 101 and 44 in the first phase of the 2021 T20 World Cup.
Dushmantha Chameera took one wicket in each of his three matches in round one at an economy rate of just 5.33. Chameera is having a strong year with 18 wickets in 15 T20Is at an average of 17.55 and economy rate of just 6.29.
Wanindu Hasaranga (26), Mustafizur (24), Shakib (23), Mahedi (19), and Chameera (18) are among the top eight wicket-takers in T20Is this year.
Shakib Al Hasan needs one wicket to become the all-time highest wicket-taker in T20 World Cups. He is currently level with Shahid Afridi on 39.

T20 WC 2021 Match 15: SL vs BAN Possible Playing 11

Sri Lanka will be hoping that Maheesh Theekshana is fit to play after picking up a side strain against Netherlands.

Sri Lanka: 1. Pathum Nissanka, 2. Kusal Perera (wk), 3. Charith Asalanka, 4. Avishka Fernando, 5. Bhanuka Rajapaksa, 6. Dasun Shanaka (c), 7. Chamika Karunaratne, 8. Wanindu Hasaranga, 9. Binura Fernando, 10. Maheesh Theekshana/Akila Dananjaya, 11. Lahiru Kumara

Bangladesh could look to stick with the same XI that smashed PNG by 84 runs, but Nasum Ahmed over Taskin Ahmed would make sense on the slow Sharjah pitch.

Bangladesh: 1. Mohammad Naim, 2. Liton Das, 3. Shakib Al Hasan, 4. Mushfiqur Rahim, 5. Mahmudullah (c), 6. Afif Hossain, 7. Nurul Hasan (wk), 8. Mahedi Hasan, 9. Mohammad Saifuddin, 10. Taskin Ahmed/Nasum Ahmed, 11. Mustafizur Rahman

Sharjah Pitch Report and Weather

Batting outside of the powerplay is very difficult at Sharjah. Ireland started brilliantly vs Namibia (55/0 in the powerplay), only to finish with 125. Namibia then had to work extremely hard in the chase, with skipper Erasmus and gun all-rounder David Wiese guiding them home late. And, of course, Netherlands were rolled for just 44.

The Sharjah surface was the most difficult to bat on out of the three UAE grounds in the recent IPL. The average first innings score was 137 in the tournament. The chasing team has won nine out of the last 12 matches on this ground.

Expect another slow surface in what will be very hot conditions. A challenge for the players.