The 14th edition of the Asia Cup is set to get underway in the UAE on Saturday with Bangladesh taking on Sri Lanka in the tournament opener.

The Dubai International Cricket stadium will be the setting for the Group B clash between the two teams who are separated by just eight rating points in the ICC ODI rankings.

Sri Lanka are the second most successful team in the tournament’s history with five titles to their name while Bangladesh are searching for their maiden Asia Cup trophy.

INJURIES RAVAGE BOTH TEAMS

The two teams are both dealing with injury concerns of their own coming into the tournament opener. For Bangladesh, star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is nursing a finger injury for which he has deferred the surgery until the completion of the tournament. Opening batsman Tamim Iqbal is also struggling with a bruised finger with Mominul Haque called up to the squad as backup.

The third injury relates to off-spinner Nazmul Hossain who is recovering from an injury to his bowling hand.

Sri Lanka too are not without their troubles in the injury department with opener Danushka Gunathilaka being sent home after sustaining a lower-back problem. In his place, 27-year-old Shehan Jayasuriya has been called up as a replacement. The islanders have already lost the services of regular skipper Dinesh Chandimal who had been ruled out of the tournament due to a finger injury. In his stead, wicketkeeper batsman Niroshan Dickwella has been called up the squad with all-rounder Angelo Mathews being named as the stand-in skipper.

Both Tamim Iqbal (l) and Shakib (r) are struggling with injuries.

LASITH MALINGA COMEBACK ON THE HORIZON

Plenty of heads were turned after veteran Lasith Malinga was named in the Sri Lanka squad for the tournament.

The 35-year-old’s last appearance in Sri Lanka colours came in a T20I against India more than a year ago. The clamour for his return had been growing in recent times and his international comeback is expected to grab plenty of eyeballs. It remains to be seen if Mathews picks the veteran pacer in the playing XI but if he does, expect those famous searing yorkers and slower balls to make an appearance soon.

Malinga did not play in the last edition of the IPL after being moved to a bowling mentor’s role with his franchise Mumbai Indians. He will not be short of match practice for the Asia Cup though given his recent participation in the Sri Lanka Cricket T20 League for Kandy.

Malinga last played an ODI in September, 2017.

EXPECTED TEAMS

Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Mominul Haque,  Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Mashrafe Mortaza (C), Mosaddek Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman and Mehidy Hasan.

Sri Lanka: Kusal Perera , Upul Tharanga, Niroshan Dickwella, Angelo Mathews (C), Dhananjaya de Silva,  Dasun Shanaka, Thisara Perera, Dilruwan Perera, Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal, and Kusal Mendis.

VENUE – Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

Time – 15:30 GST