ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 Match 17, Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka: Preview, prediction, likely XIs

ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 Match 17, Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka: Preview, prediction, likely XIs

Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka Women

Having lost all three of their respective matches in the “Group of Death”, both Bangladesh Women and Sri Lanka Women are out of the race for the semi-final of the 2020 World T20. However, when the take field at the Docklands in Melbourne, both sides will want to finish the tournament with a win.

Bangladesh might have lost easily to both India and Australia, but have only themselves to blame for the defeat against New Zealand. Ritu Moni (4-0-18-4) and Salma Khatun (2.2-0-7-3) bowled out a strong batting line-up for just 91. But New Zealand then set a new T20 World Cup record by defending successfully the lowest target: from 31/2, Banglaputtdesh were shot out for 74. Only three batters reached double figures, of whom Nigar Sultana (21 in 26 balls) was the only one to go past 11.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, did the reverse, losing comfortably to India after putting up a fight against both New Zealand and Australia. Not for the first time did Chamari Athapaththu (33 in 24) lead the charge, before Kavisha Dilhari (25* in 16) took them to 113/9. Udeshika Prabodhani then bowled beautifully for her 4-0-13-1, but could not prevent India from romping to a win inside 15 overs.

Despite that, Sri Lanka will probably take field as favourites, especially if Athapaththu fires.

Head to head

Sri Lanka lead 3-2 here, but more importantly, they have won on the last 3 occasions, once in 2016 and twice in 2018.

Key players

Ritu Moni (Bangladesh Women): After missing the first two matches, Ritu Moni ripped through the New Zealand middle order, picking up 4/18. Batting at three, she then became one of three Bangladeshis to reach double figures.

Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka Women): Athapaththu has scored 124 runs in the tournament; the next three scorers for Sri Lanka have got 110 between them. Her 17 fours and 5 sixes stands out in contrast with 17 and 1 by the entire team. Remember, she has also picked up 2 wickets.

Likely XIs

Bangladesh Women: Murshida Khatun, Ayasha Rahman, Ritu Moni, Nigar Sultana (wk), Fargana Hoque, Rumana Ahmed, Fahima Khatun, Sobhana Mostary, Jahanara Alam, Salma Khatun (c), Panna Ghosh.

Sri Lanka Women: Umesha Thimashini, Chamari Athapaththu (c), Hasini Perera, Harshitha Madavi, Hansima Karunaratne, Shashikala Siriwardene, Nilakshi de Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), Kavisha Dilhari, Udeshika Prabodhani, Sathya Sandeepani.

Prediction

Sri Lanka to finish the tournament with a win.