Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium curator Gamini de Silva has won a lot of praise from all except one section of the cricket community over the past week: the bowlers.
It has been a barren existence for the likes of Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Shahadat Hossain, Abdur Razzak and even Shakib Al Hasan, none having topped three wickets in the two matches of the Asia Cup so far.
The pacemen are the ones with the three scalps though Shahadat has blown hot and cold; a strong showing against Pakistan followed by his hammering for 80-plus against India. The two left-arm spinners have been steady at best with the leading man going for more than a run a ball in the win against India.
Only the Pakistan bowlers have been on top of things, especially Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal who have taken seven and six wickets respectively. But none of them have been less expensive so far, and that has all been down to how the wicket has played.
But the changed nature, with the Sri Lankan having somewhat revamped part of the square in Mirpur, has obviously meant high-scoring games and it has been exciting for the packed house.
Bangladesh are most likely to go into the game with the same three-man pace attack with Nazmul Hossain taking the place of the injured Shafiul Islam. Despite Nazimuddin’s indifferent form at the top of the order, he is expected to continue simply to keep the winning combination; Imrul Kayes could feel unlucky to miss out. There is less chance to include Elias Sunny as the Lankans have three left-handers in their batting line-up.
Nazmul’s inclusion could actually bring luck for the Tigers as he and Mashrafe are the only ones to have played in wins over Sri Lanka (in 2006 and 2009).
-With The Daily Star input
