Bangladesh Vs Srilanka and Zimbabwe Vs Pakistan…These 2 matches assume significance for certain teams as a win will mean that they are through to the next round.
Srilanka has to win this match to keep their hopes alive. After the Deshis had overcome the Indians, Srilanka cannot take them lightly. The key to the match lies in the team fielding first. Predictions were made before the tournament started that the team batting second will have more probability of winning in the Carribean which has proven to be true so far in the tournament. A few wickets will give Bangladesh the breakthrough and they can beat the air out of the Lankans, the same way they did to the Indians..
The Pakistanis will hope to forget this tournament as early as possible- there were plenty of haunting moments- their early exit from World Cup, their worst show in recent history, their coach,Woolmer’s death under suspicious circumstances adding salt to their already excruciating pain. One thing they will not wish for is a complete wash in the tournament- they will be desperately hoping to win their last match and salvage some pride. Zimbabwe on the other hand will hope some remaining charm from St.Patrick’s day rubs on them as well
The Lanka-Bangla duel attains significance to the Indians as well. They will hope that either Bangladesh beats the Lankans and give the Indians a fair chance to move to the next round or Lanka drubs the Deshis to a big win so that the net run-rate will be favourable to the Indians. All this takes precedence only after assuming the Indians will win in the make-or–break encounter with Sri-Lanka on March23rd.
