Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza urged his senior players to step up as his side take on Sri Lanka in their crucial match against Sri Lanka in the tri-nation series today at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. The match starts at 12 noon. Sri Lanka came off a poor international run and a 12-run defeat to comparatively weaker side Zimbabwe in its tri-series opener while Bangladesh have been in rampant mood with a crushing win over Zimbabwe. Yet Mashrafe expected a backlash from the Lankan side who he thought would be eager to come all guns blazing.

“They have some senior players who can turn the things around. We have to be careful,” said Mashrafe. He also insisted on playing the fearless brand of the cricket that won them many games including the first match against Zimbabwe.

“We have to continue the fearless brand of cricket that we played against

Zimbabwe. Our senior players know their role well. They showed against Zimbabwe that what they could do unless they get a bad day. If they play the same brand of cricket, we believe that we could win against any opponents.”

Sri Lanka however are in the spot of bother because of the injury of their most dependable player and also the captain of the side Angelo Mathews. There is still no guarantee that he could play the match against Bangladesh. But still the Lankan side are eager to prove that they could make a turn around from the tittering position.

“Good thing is that we have three more games. We did not play to our potential but we lost by a very close margin. But if play to our potential we can have a good game tomorrow,” Sri Lanka batting coach Thilan Samaweera said.

“Hopefully we come up and play A game against Bangladesh.”

Sri Lanka have the upper-hand over Bangladesh as per records, going into the match. Of the 41 matches between the two sides, they are ahead of 34-5 margin with two matches produced no results. Bangladesh have the chance to improve the margin.