The two teams have had very different roads to the Super 12 stage, with Sri Lanka cruising through their group while Bangladesh had to wait until their final match to see if they had made it.

Both sides are now battle-hardened.

Following on from England’s win over the West Indies and Australia’s over South Africa, plenty rides on this match for both teams. Sri Lanka will be looking to carry on their unbeaten run in the tournament, while Bangladesh will be intent on not playing catch-up the way they had to through the First Round.

The Sri Lankans were comfortable victors in all three of their Group A matches, starting their campaign with a seven-wicket win over Namibia, before routing Ireland by 70 runs to lock down their spot in the Super 12. For good measure, they then beat the Netherlands by eight wickets, bowling them out for 44.

Their attack has been on fire so far, bowling out all three opponents they have come up against.

They have every reason to go into this stage full of confidence, but will be aware of the need to step things up to go deep in this tournament.

Bangladesh came into the T20 World Cup with plenty of momentum after series wins over Australia and New Zealand, only to have the wind taken out of their sails in a first-up defeat to Scotland. It was a loss that put their spot in the Super 12 stage firmly at jeopardy. They bounded back with a comfortable win over Oman and an even more decisive one against Papua New Guinea, but it was only after Scotland beat Oman that they were locked in for the next round.

The Tigers’ second-place finish in Group B has made for a tantalising Group 1 with all five teams occupants of the top 10 spots on the MRF Tyres ICC T20I team rankings.

FIXTURE DETAILS

• Match: Sri Lanka v Bangladesh
• Time: 15:30 SL time on Sunday 24 October
• Location: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah

Key Players

Sri Lanka – Wanindu Hasaranga

The gem in Sri Lanka’s crown, Wanindu Hasaranga will be pivotal to their hopes of victory over Bangladesh, particularly if Maheesh Theekshana is ruled out.

The  all-rounder has excelled with the ball so far, taking six wickets at 7.50 with an economy of 4.09. Encouragingly, his batting is starting to come to the fore for the Sri Lankans too, notching 71 in his lone innings so far off just 47 balls.

Bangladesh – Shakib Al Hasan

Bangladesh’s star man has come to play at the T20 World Cup, taking out Player of the Match honours in both of the Tigers’ wins so far.

The all-rounder sits third for runs scored  (108 and 36) and first for wickets taken (nine at six) and Bangladesh will be hoping he can carry that form on.