After a one-sided start to the Asia Cup 2023 competition, where Pakistan decimated Nepal, fans were hoping for the Bangladesh versus Sri Lanka encounter to be an intriguing affair. While the match was not as lopsided as the previous encounter, some indisciplined batting from Bangladesh helped Sri Lanka win with relative ease, barring a stutter at the beginning and towards the end.

Opting to bat first at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, the Tigers managed to struggle their way to 164, mainly on the back of a commendable 89-run knock off 122 balls from Najmul Hossain Shanto. Matheesha Pathirana starred with the ball, finishing with figures of 4/32 in 7.4 overs. Sri Lanka, in reply, lost their first three wickets for 43 before a 78-run partnership between Sadeera Samarawickrama and Charith Asalanka steadied the innings. From 121/3, the hosts lost two wickets for seven runs. Eventually, Asalanka and captain Dasun Shanaka helped Sri Lanka reach the target with 11 overs and five wickets to spare.

Bangladesh will have to win their match against Afghanistan on Sunday, September 3, to keep themselves afloat in the competition. A loss would mean that they will have to bow out of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/asia-cup-2023-sri-lanka-vs-bangladesh-2nd-odi-who-said-what-9480/">Asia Cup 2023</a>, making the last group game between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan a dead rubber. Let's take a look at three changes that Bangladesh can make to get themselves a win in the do-or-die contest.

1. Bring Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim up the order

Young Tanzid Hasan opened the innings on his debut game and was dismissed for a duck against Sri Lanka. Bangladesh would need experienced players to step up under these circumstances. In the same light, Afif Hossain can be brought in place of Tanzid, and Najmul Hossain Shanto can open alongside Mohammad Naim.

This would allow <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/twitter-reactions-cricket/twitter-reactions-pathirana-samarawickrama-and-asalanka-inspire-defending-champions-to-thumping-victory-over-bangladesh/">Shakib Al Hasan</a> to move to No. 3, where he has an average of 49.64, more than in any other batting position. Cricket lovers will remember how well the all-rounder played when he batted at No. 3 during the 2019 World Cup. In eight games, he scored 606 runs at an average of 86.57. Batting at No. 3 will allow the Southpaw to take control of the game and ease the pressure off the youngster coming lower down the order.

Mushfiqur Rahim can come up to No. 4. Shakib and Mushfiqur have formed many memorable partnerships for Bangladesh over the years and if they bat at consecutive numbers, it could bode well for the Tigers. The in-form Towhid Hridoy can bat at No. 5 with Afif and Mehidy Hasan Miraz to follow.

2. Bring Nasum Ahmed in place of Mahedi Hasan

The left-arm spinner is a very clever bowler, who can vary his pace and angles to trouble the batters. He has mainly played T20I cricket for Bangladesh and has done relatively well. In 35 matches, Nasum has picked up 34 wickets at an average of 23.15 and an economy of 7.32.

In ODIs, Nasum has played on seven occasions. He has picked up eight wickets and conceded runs at just 3.74 per over. The 28-year-old can be brought into the side for Mahedi Hasan to provide more variety to the bowling. Afghanistan have quite a few right-handers in the side and the left-arm spinner could come in handy with the ability to turn the ball away from them. Mahedi brings his batting ability to the table but isn't a frontline spinner.

Last year, Bangladesh hosted <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/social-tracker-cricket/tempers-flare-in-sri-lanka-bangladesh-asia-cup-clash-players-scuffle-on-the-pitch/">Afghanistan</a> for a white-ball series. In the first T20I, Nasum bowled with the new ball and took four wickets inside the Powerplay. Shakib would be tempted to bring the 28-year-old into the side given his previous record against the Afghans. Nasum can be used with the new ball against the right-handed opening duo of Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz.

While there is no lack of talent in Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman is still the best bowler for <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-appeal/5-cricketing-nations-that-could-make-asia-cup-more-competitive/">Bangladesh</a>. He is also the most experienced campaigner for the Asian side. In the last game, the left-arm seamer was brought in as the second change bowler with Taskin, Shoriful, and Shakib bowling ahead of him.

Mustafizur bowled the ninth over and then was replaced by Mehidy Hasan Miraz. The 27-year-old came back to bowl a couple of overs and eventually finished with figures of 0/12 in three overs. Having played 190 international matches across the three formats, Mustafizur has to be the spearhead of this attack and Shakib has to use him accordingly.

If the Satkhira-born can find his confidence and rhythm, Bangladesh will look a different side altogether. He will also be crucial if the game goes on to the death overs. He has the experience of bowling in franchise leagues around the world and that could hold him and his team in good stead.

After a one-sided start to the Asia Cup 2023 competition, where Pakistan decimated Nepal, fans were hoping for the Bangladesh versus Sri Lanka encounter to be an intriguing affair. While the match was not as lopsided as the previous encounter, some indisciplined batting from Bangladesh helped Sri Lanka win with relative ease, barring a stutter at the beginning and towards the end.
Opting to bat first at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, the Tigers managed to struggle their way to 164, mainly on the back of a commendable 89-run knock off 122 balls from Najmul Hossain Shanto. Matheesha Pathirana starred with the ball, finishing with figures of 4/32 in 7.4 overs. Sri Lanka, in reply, lost their first three wickets for 43 before a 78-run partnership between Sadeera Samarawickrama and Charith Asalanka steadied the innings. From 121/3, the hosts lost two wickets for seven runs. Eventually, Asalanka and captain Dasun Shanaka helped Sri Lanka reach the target with 11 overs and five wickets to spare.
Bangladesh will have to win their match against Afghanistan on Sunday, September 3, to keep themselves afloat in the competition. A loss would mean that they will have to bow out of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/asia-cup-2023-sri-lanka-vs-bangladesh-2nd-odi-who-said-what-9480/">Asia Cup 2023</a>, making the last group game between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan a dead rubber. Let's take a look at three changes that Bangladesh can make to get themselves a win in the do-or-die contest.
<h3>1. Bring Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim up the order</h3>
Young Tanzid Hasan opened the innings on his debut game and was dismissed for a duck against Sri Lanka. Bangladesh would need experienced players to step up under these circumstances. In the same light, Afif Hossain can be brought in place of Tanzid, and Najmul Hossain Shanto can open alongside Mohammad Naim.
This would allow <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/twitter-reactions-cricket/twitter-reactions-pathirana-samarawickrama-and-asalanka-inspire-defending-champions-to-thumping-victory-over-bangladesh/">Shakib Al Hasan</a> to move to No. 3, where he has an average of 49.64, more than in any other batting position. Cricket lovers will remember how well the all-rounder played when he batted at No. 3 during the 2019 World Cup. In eight games, he scored 606 runs at an average of 86.57. Batting at No. 3 will allow the Southpaw to take control of the game and ease the pressure off the youngster coming lower down the order.
Mushfiqur Rahim can come up to No. 4. Shakib and Mushfiqur have formed many memorable partnerships for Bangladesh over the years and if they bat at consecutive numbers, it could bode well for the Tigers. The in-form Towhid Hridoy can bat at No. 5 with Afif and Mehidy Hasan Miraz to follow.

<h3>2. Bring Nasum Ahmed in place of Mahedi Hasan</h3>
The left-arm spinner is a very clever bowler, who can vary his pace and angles to trouble the batters. He has mainly played T20I cricket for Bangladesh and has done relatively well. In 35 matches, Nasum has picked up 34 wickets at an average of 23.15 and an economy of 7.32.
In ODIs, Nasum has played on seven occasions. He has picked up eight wickets and conceded runs at just 3.74 per over. The 28-year-old can be brought into the side for Mahedi Hasan to provide more variety to the bowling. Afghanistan have quite a few right-handers in the side and the left-arm spinner could come in handy with the ability to turn the ball away from them. Mahedi brings his batting ability to the table but isn't a frontline spinner.
Last year, Bangladesh hosted <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/social-tracker-cricket/tempers-flare-in-sri-lanka-bangladesh-asia-cup-clash-players-scuffle-on-the-pitch/">Afghanistan</a> for a white-ball series. In the first T20I, Nasum bowled with the new ball and took four wickets inside the Powerplay. Shakib would be tempted to bring the 28-year-old into the side given his previous record against the Afghans. Nasum can be used with the new ball against the right-handed opening duo of Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz.

<h3>3. Give Mustafizur Rahman the new ball</h3>
While there is no lack of talent in Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman is still the best bowler for <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-appeal/5-cricketing-nations-that-could-make-asia-cup-more-competitive/">Bangladesh</a>. He is also the most experienced campaigner for the Asian side. In the last game, the left-arm seamer was brought in as the second change bowler with Taskin, Shoriful, and Shakib bowling ahead of him.
Mustafizur bowled the ninth over and then was replaced by Mehidy Hasan Miraz. The 27-year-old came back to bowl a couple of overs and eventually finished with figures of 0/12 in three overs. Having played 190 international matches across the three formats, Mustafizur has to be the spearhead of this attack and Shakib has to use him accordingly.
If the Satkhira-born can find his confidence and rhythm, Bangladesh will look a different side altogether. He will also be crucial if the game goes on to the death overs. He has the experience of bowling in franchise leagues around the world and that could hold him and his team in good stead.

After a one-sided start to the Asia Cup 2023 competition, where Pakistan decimated Nepal, fans were hoping for the Bangladesh versus Sri Lanka encounter to be an intriguing affair. While the match was

Asia Cup 2023: 3 changes BAN can make vs AFG to register win

Bangladesh started their Asia Cup campaign with a five-wicket loss versus Sri Lanka.

Asia Cup 2023: 3 Key changes Bangladesh must do in 4th Match against Afghanistan to make comeback in tournament

Check out how Bangladesh can make a comeback in Asia Cup 2023 with three essential changes for match 4 of the tournament against Afghanistan, only on CricTracker.