Sri Lanka opt to bowl vs Bangladesh
Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu put Bangladesh in to bat after winning the toss in Dubai. The reason behind the decision was her trust in her bowlers, she said.
The defending champions made one change to their side with Vishmi Gunaratne coming in for Kawya Kavindi.
There were two changes for Bangladesh. Rabeya Khan and Sanjida Meghla made way for debutant Farjana Easmin and Sultana Khatun.
“Batting first will allow our batters to express themselves,” Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana said, reflecting on the toss. “It is an important match, but what is more important for us is to click as a unit.”
Sri Lanka have dominated Bangladesh in the format with 13 wins from 16 matches. Sri Lanka have beaten Bangladesh in the last six T20Is, including a clean sweep in a three-match series earlier this year in Sylhet.
Both the teams have had a comfortable ride in the tournament to date. Sri Lanka secured comfortable wins over UAE (by nine wickets) and tournament-debutants Indonesia (by 75 runs), while Bangladesh defeated Indonesia by 71 runs.
Bangladesh: 1 Juairiya Ferdous, 2 Nigar Sultana (capt, wk), 3 Sobhana Mostary, 4 Dilara Akter, 5 Shorna Akter, 6 Ritu Moni, 7 Farjana Easmin, 8 Nahida Akter, 9 Sultana Khatun, 10 Marufa Akter, 11 Fahima Khatun
Sri Lanka: 1 Imesha Dulani, 2 Chamari Athapaththu (capt), 3 Sanjana Kavindi, 4 Vishmi Gunarathne, 5 Harshitha Samarawickrama, 6 Kavisha Dilhari, 7 Nilakshika Silva, 8 Kaushini Nuthyangana (wk), 9 Sugandika Kumari, 10 Chethana Vimukthi, 11 Chamudi Praboda