Chandimal would like to have a Dutch-like rout

England captain Stuart Broad (C) is well aware of the fact that only a win against Sri Lanka at the Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium today would bring them into the race. Here they train at the venue yesterday. Photo: Anurup Kanti Das

That Sri Lanka are oozing with confidence, after winning their last twelve games in Bangladesh, was an aspect that was reflected by Dinesh Chandimal -- generally one of the more sober captains at press conferences -- who, although jokingly, reckoned that they could repeat the 'Dutch-rout' against England today.
"It happens sometimes, it won't happen all the time. But we are playing to our strengths and you never know it can take place in the next game as well," smirked a confident Chandimal and the player had every reason to be so.
The Lions, ever since the start of this year, have been going through a golden period in Bangladesh with wins in all formats. The game against South Africa in their first T20 had to be the most difficult contest of the group and having got past that by five-runs, they are just one-step away from a berth in the semifinals.
As rare occasions go by, this will only be the fifth time that the two teams will contest in the shortest format of the game, and the Lankans hold a 3-1 lead in the head-to-head records.
The key to Sri Lanka's success so far has been the availability of a number of match-winners for them. There are times when the aggressive Kusal Perera provides a flying start. Angelo Mathews holds the lower order together, while the likes of Lasith Malinga and Nuwan Kulasekara lead the bowling attack. That the Lankans beat South Africa without much help from their big three -- Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Tillakaratne Dilshan -- goes to show how well the team have played as a unit.
With almost everything going for them, the number one ranked side will be favourites going into today's game. And for the English, their game today will essentially be a do-or-die contest. They have not done much wrong in the tournament so far and were hard done by a rain-curtailed defeat to New Zealand in the opener. However, Stuart Broad and co will look to start afresh.
"Obviously it's been very unfortunate. There was a long way to go in that game. Chasing 170 is tough in any game, although they [New Zealand] had a good start, we backed ourselves to defend that.
"It is a must win game for us. We have to win. Winning against Sri Lanka would be a big thing for us. A big confident boost and that's the way we are looking at it," he added.
The other aspect that the England players will be looking at is the weather forecast. With showers hitting Chittagong at night quite a few times last week, England would be hoping to be able to win the toss and bowl first.
The English are supposedly working on the different ways of fending off Malinga towards the end of the innings, something that always plays a crucial role in a game with Sri Lanka.
"Look, it is tough to hit Malinga. I think the best way to approach him is trying to deflect him past the gaps or hope get some bat on it to square. He does a very good slower ball. Let's see how it goes," said all-rounder Ravi Bopara.