CanBangladesh turn their form around against resurgent Sri Lanka?

 Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are at opposite ends of the confidence spectrum as they face up in the Nidahas Trophy. Bangladesh haven't won an international match since January 23, since when they have lost two ODIs, two Tests and three T20s on the trot. Sri Lanka on the other hand have looked like a different unit, following their successes in Bangladesh. Their five-wicket win over India showed where their confidence currently stands.

Their chase against India, in which the middle order latched on to the fast start made by the top order, was quite pleasing. Although Kusal Mendis fell cheaply, Kusal Perera struck a superb 66 off 37 balls before big hitters Dasun Shanaka and Thisara Perera rounded it off with precision. It might have been against a second-string India attack, but Sri Lanka were happy to beat them.

They would, however, be slightly worried about their bowlers. Akila Dananjaya went wicketless, and Nuwan Pradeep was carted around, which meant part-timers Jeevan Mendis and Danushka Gunathilaka had to share six overs. Their fast bowlers, including Thisara Perera, would be inclined to bowl short at the Bangladesh batsmen, given their moderate success using this length earlier this year.

Facing Sri Lanka's short-ball barrage is one of several problems Bangladesh could face. Their 139 for 8 against India was not just sub-par, but a reflection of their mentality. They played out 68 dot balls as they mistimed several attempts to hit boundaries. Even Liton Das and Sabbir Rahman, who got out in the thirties, were guilty of eating up dot balls. Mushfiqur Rahim got out at the wrong time.

What will encourage Bangladesh would be their bowling, which looked slightly improved in the India game. Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain and Mehidy Hasan bowled well, as did Nazmul Islam, although he was underbowled. Having lost 13 of their last 14 T20Is, though, they will need to find ways to build on these small gains.