Sri Lanka v Bangladesh Asia Cup Tips: Openers to the fore with rain likely

• Bangladesh are 2.6613/8 outsiders

• Weather forecast is bad

• Premadasa pitch favours defender

Sri Lanka v Bangladesh
Saturday 9 September, 10:30
TV: Live on Sky Sports

Sri Lanka v Bangladesh Asia Cup team news

Sri Lanka squeezed home by two runs against Afghanistan. Qualification was in doubt with Afghanistan under the false impression they had won by 37 overs. They actually had other bites at the cherry. Kusal Mendis, who deserved a ton, and Kasun Rajitha, with four wickets, were the architects.

Probable XI: Nissanka, Karunaratne, Kusal, Samarwickarama, Asalanka, Dhananjaya, Shanaka, Wellalage, Theekshana, Rajitha, Pathirana

Bangladesh's batting has flopped twice in three matches, including against Sri Lanka. They have at least been boosted by the return of Liton Das but not at the expense of Najmul Shanto, surely? Shakib-al-Hasan and Mushfiqur set a decent platform against Pakistan but they didn't bust more than 194.

Probable XI: Naim, Mehidy Hasan, Das, Shanto, Shakib, Shamim, Afif, Taskin, Shoriful, Mahmud

Sri Lanka v Bangladesh Asia Cup pitch report

There's a 62% toss bias in favour of the team batting first at the Premadasa. Six of the last 14 have busted 270 or more in first-innings. Shorting Bangladesh runs at under 180, 190 and 200 at skinny numbers are options but the weather forecast is dreadful. A minimum of 20 overs is required for bets to stand.

Sri Lanka v Bangladesh Asia Cup match odds

Sri Lanka are 1.574/7 with Bangladesh 2.727/4. We doubt there will be a result in this game but given the variables at play it's hard not to reckon that the latter is a worthy price.

There's a big toss bias and there's likely to be a reduction in overs. We'll keep that toss bias on side, though. Bangladesh could be capable of making slight odds-against so plan for a trade.

Sri Lanka v Bangladesh Asia Cup player bets

We need 25 overs for top bats to stand. With rain forecast and overs likely to be lost, going with the openers make sense. Mehidy, who has a ton already in this tournament, and Nissanka have been boosted by Sportsbook to 13/53.60 and 11/43.75 respectively. Bet Mehidy here and Nissanka here.

Nissanka's partner, Dimuth Karunarate is priced at 5/23.50 with Mohammad Naim at 12/53.40 alongside Mehidy. Shakib-al-Hasan is still likely to prove popular at 5/16.00 for Bangladesh as well.