Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh, Asia Cup 2023 Super 4: Colombo R Premadasa Stadium Pitch Report & Weather Forecast

Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are set for round two of their meeting in Asia Cup 2023 when they clash in the second match of Super 4 stage at the R Premadasa Cricket Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Wednesday (September 6).

Sri Lanka head into the match unbeaten in the tournament, while Bangladesh come into the match on the back of a massive defeat to Pakistan in the Super 4 opener at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Wednesday (September 6).

R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo will host Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh Asia Cup 2023 Super 4 Match 2

Although they are on an unbeaten run, Dasun Shanaka-led Sri Lanka will be keen to avoid a repeat of their recent meeting with Afghanistan, who almost knocked out the island nation from the Asia Cup 2023. The Afghans were on the brink of stunning Sri Lanka, but fell agonisingly short.

Shakib Al Hasan's Bangladesh, on the other hand, were bundled for 193 by the Pakistan bowling attack before conceding defeat with 10.3 overs to spare. They will hope to bounce back and keep their hopes of final spot alive.

This will be the second meeting between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in the ongoing Asia Cup. In their group stage meeting at Pallekele Stadium in Kandy, Shanaka's men bundled out Shakib's side for 164 and chased the target down with 5 wickets and 11 overs to spare.

So, Bangladesh will also look to avenge the reverse fixture loss when they face Sri Lanka at R Premadasa Cricket Stadium in Colombo, where Sri Lanka, the home side, possess a great record of 74 wins in 120 matches. This will be the host nation's 121st outing at the venue.

Bangladesh, meanwhile, will play their 12 game in Colomba, where they have lost all their previous 11 matches. But with a threat of rain around the remainder of the tournament, can Bangladesh get an all important win?

With weather conditions also likely to influence the match, here is a look at the Colombo R Premadasa Stadium pitch report and weather forecast ahead of SL vs BAN, Asia Cup 2023 Super 4 match:

Colombo R Premadasa Stadium Pitch Report

The wickets at the R Premadasa Cricket Stadium are known to be batting friendly early doors, but provide spinners some assistance as the game progresses with the teams batting first enjoying more success compare to teams chasing.

Overall, the teams batting first have won 76 times in the 141 matches at the venue with the chasing team winning 55 times, while 8 matches have ended in No Result.

The average score batting first at the venue in 225. So, the captain winning the toss on Saturday (September 9) may also look to follow the pattern of getting runs on the board and use the slowing wicket to their advantage. But, how will the weather play?

Colombo R Premadasa Stadium Weather Forecast on Saturday, September 9

It is expected to be a cloudy day with a couple of morning thunderstorms followed by a thunderstorm in parts of the area in the afternoon. The maximum temperature is expected to be 32° C at the start of the match (3 PM Local Time), reducing to a low of 27° C in the night.

Rain Prediction for September 9 in Colomba: According AccuWeather, there is chance of thunderstorms overnight and in the morning from 7 AM to 9 AM. However, the rest of the day is expected to remain cloudy with thunderstorms returning again at 6 PM and then again at 10 PM.

However, Weather Channel predicts rains and thunderstorms throughout the day and in the lead up to the match. So, expect the rain to play spoilsport in the Super 4 match. While India vs Pakistan has a reserve day, Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh will have no reserve day.

So, as per AccuWeather forecast, there is chance of obtaining a result as just two hours of play may be lost. But, Weather.com's forecast predicts the whole match to be washed out.