Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka Preview: Bangladesh seek resurgence against inconsistent Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka will be looking to back up their last start win by knocking off Bangladesh today.

Smarting from consecutive defeats, Bangladesh will look to get their World Cup campaign back on track when they take on an inconsistent Sri Lanka on Tuesday. Bangladesh made a perfect start to their World Cup campaign, posting their highest one-day international score of 330-6 during their 21-run win over South Africa. However, the Tigers were not able to take forward the winning momentum and were handed a two-wicket loss by New Zealand followed by a massive 106-run defeat to hosts England. In the batting department, wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim and star all rounder Shakib Al Hasan have both been impressive but openers Soumya Sarkar and Tamim Iqbal have squandered their starts, failing to play impactful knocks. Bangladesh's main concern is their bowling which came unstuck in their previous game against England who amassed 386. Sri Lanka on the other hand will be optimistic of their chances after recovering from a crushing 10-wicket defeat in their opening match against New Zealand. The Dimuth Karunaratne-led side beat Afghanistan in a rain-shortened game to breath life into their campaign but the island nation were forced to split points with Pakistan after the match was called off due to heavy rains. Sri Lanka's batting unit has failed to last the full 50 overs in both their matches.

They lost five wickets for 14 against New Zealand and then seven wickets for 36 runs against Afghanistan and the 1996 champions will be wary of another middle-order collapse. In the bowling department, Sri Lanka will miss the services of Nuwan Pradeep, the architect of their win over Afghanistan, claiming four wickets for 31 runs. In his absence, the onus will be more on veteran pacer Lasith Malinga to guide his side to victory over Bangladesh.

WATCH OUT FOR - SHAKIB AL HASAN

Shakib Al Hasan is predicted for another stellar match against Sri Lanka

Star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who is in fine form with the bat, having scored two half-centuries and a hundred in the tournament, is expected to play the key role for his side once again. Al Hasan currently leads the run scorers list and will be looking to cement his spot on top of this list, more so for the betterment of his team. PREDICTION Many will be lulled into thinking Bangladesh's form is on a downward spiral, whilst Sri Lanka's is in the reverse looking at their recent matches, but it is hard to look past Bangladesh who is starting to really shape up as a dominant cricket side. Expect Bangladesh to be too good for Sri Lanka with both bat and ball to notch their first World Cup victory over Sri Lanka. Bangladesh to win by 10-30 runs / 2-3 wickets.

STATISTICS HEAD TO HEAD ODI Matches: 45 Sri Lanka: 36

Bangladesh: 7 No Result: 2

HEAD TO HEAD IN WORLD CUPS

Matches: 3

Sri Lanka: 3

Bangladesh: 0

WORLD CUP RECORDS Sri Lanka

Matches: 75

Won: 35

Lost: 36

Tie: 1

Best Result - Winners (1996)

Bangladesh

Matches: 34

Won: 12

Lost: 21

Best Result - Quarter Final (2015)

ODI Record since World Cup 2015: Sri Lanka

Matches: 87

Won: 24

Lost: 56

Bangladesh

Matches: 65

Won: 35 Lost: 26