Truce ends, rivalry resumes
From the edge of elimination, Bangladesh are set to begin their campaign in the Super Four phase of the Asia Cup today in Dubai against Sri Lanka -- the very team that ensured their survival by defeating and knocking out Afghanistan.
The Sri Lanka-Afghanistan contest in Abu Dhabi on Thursday felt as much about the Tigers as it was about the two sides involved, with fans across Bangladesh eagerly following the match which did not even feature their own team.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. "We were watching the game. I personally saw the last part of it, checking the score before dinner," Bangladesh pace bowling coach Shaun Tait said, admitting the squad was just as engrossed.
Sri Lanka successfully chasing down 170 runs with six wickets in hand gave Bangladesh the joy of qualification, but also left a lingering concern -- Kusal Mendis and his teammates looked in sublime form.
Back in July, Bangladesh had beaten Sri Lanka in their own backyard for the first time in a bilateral T20I series, but in their group-stage meeting here, the Lankans brushed them aside.
Still, for Bangladesh, escaping from the brink of elimination could act as motivation.
"The beauty of these tournaments is that the games come quickly," Tait reflected. "It gives you a chance to forget the past and move straight on to the next one. Making the final four is a big effort, but now it's about training tonight and the big clash tomorrow [Saturday]."
Sri Lanka's win, however, came in the shadow of tragedy. Left-arm spin allrounder Dunith Wellalage lost his father during the game in Colombo. Wellalage left for home after the game and it remains unclear if he will be available for the next fixture.
The combination of Bangladesh's survival thanks to Sri Lanka and Wellalage's loss has somewhat mellowed the usually intense rivalry. This time the contest could carry more of a sporting, even friendly, atmosphere, and not a hostile one, which often is the case in encounters between the two nations.
For Bangladesh, the fifth bowling option remains the big question. Against Afghanistan, two part-time spinners conceded more than 50 runs in just four overs, a weakness that nearly cost them.
While Tait avoided commenting on selection, signs point to an extra specialist bowler being drafted in, especially given Dubai's spin-friendly conditions. As the Super Four begins with a clean slate, a single win could be enough to bury all the bitter memories of the group stage. For Bangladesh, surviving the brink may yet serve as the perfect spark to ignite their campaign.
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