Angelo Mathews
Mathews scored 47 to see Sri Lanka home in the previous match against Afghanistan Getty Images

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Bangaldesh take on Sri Lanka in a Group A fixture in their third game of the ICC Cricket World Cup at Melbourne on Thursday.

Where to watch live

Play is set to start from 3am GMT. Live coverage of the game will be on Sky Sports 2 and Sky Sports 2 HD. Click here for live streaming link.

Overview

Bangladesh are above Sri Lanka on points, after getting the better of Afghanistan in their first game and were given a lucky break against favourites Australia, when their game was abandoned after a torrential downpour.

The team from South Asia were hit by news about Mushfiqur Rahim's injury but the player has proved his fitness and will be available for selection against the Lankans, in what will be an important game to decide the final group places.

Their 105-run win over Afghanistan was well administered by the team and a similar performance against an ostensibly better team on paper will improve their chances of moving into the quarter finals.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka were anything but comfortable in their first two games, losing ignominiously to New Zealand in their opening game and making it a tough task against Afghanistan.

They found themselves four down early in the game, but Mahela Jayawardena's 100 saved the blushes for the Lankans, who need to push up a gear if they have to harbour hopes of progressing further in the competition.

They have a brilliant record against Bangladesh, winning 37 and losing only four of the 41 games played against each other. The last time Bangladesh defeated the Lankans was in 2013, but they have never defeated the island nation in a World Cup fixture.

Prediction

Sri Lanka to win

Betting odds (By 888Sport.com)

  • Bangladesh win: 33/10
  • Sri Lanka win: 2/9

What stars say

Mashrafe Mortaza: "It looks to me to be a good wicket. We have seen the India-South Africa match as well. Looks like it will be a good batting track. It will be fine. It will be nice."

Angelo Matthews: "If we click as a group, I think we can do wonders. We just need to click."

Team news

Bangladesh

Possible XI: Tamim Iqbal, Anamul Haque, Soumya Sarkar, Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (WK), Sabbir Rahman, Mominul Haque, Mashrafe Mortaza (C), Taskin Ahmed, Rubel Hossain.

Sri Lanka

Possible XI: Lahiru Thirimanne, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara (WK), Dimuth Karunaratne, Mahela Jayawardene, Angelo Mathews (C), Thisara Perera, Dushmantha Chameera, Rangana Herath, Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal.

World cup