Sri Lanka look to plug bowling leaks

Cricket, as ever, has a wicked sense of humour. Sri Lanka had rolled over Bangladesh with ease in the group stage of the Asia Cup and Bangladesh were banking on them to topple Afghanistan too, to sneak into the second round.

- REX CLEMENTINE IN DUBAI

That wish was granted, but in the cruel twist that sport so often delivers, it was Bangladesh who then turned the tables in the Super Four, leaving the former champions playing catch-up in the race for the final.

The pre-tournament chatter had been all about Sri Lanka's batting: could their willow-wielders handle quality spin and would the middle order have the stomach for pressure? But the batters, against the odds, have held their nerve and come through the fire. It is the bowling long considered the islanders' crown jewel that has been found wanting and is now under the microscope.