Kandy: Bangladesh seek an improved performance in a bid to bounce back into the winning way as they gear up for a three-match T20 International series against Sri Lanka. The first T20 will be held tomorrow (Thursday) at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy. The match starts at 7:30pm (Bangladesh Time).
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Bangladesh lost the preceding two-match Test series 1-0 and three-match ODI series 2-1. Liton Das, who was not part of the last two matches of the ODI series following his lean batting patch, will lead the side in T20s. They are also currently on a five-match losing streak in the T20 format. After sweeping a three-match T20 series against the West Indies in the Caribbean at the end of last year, Bangladesh are expected to be consistent in this format. However, they suffered a shocking 2-1 defeat to UAE in May, which was followed by a 3-0 whitewash at the hands of Pakistan just a week later.
Bangladeshi batters’ power-hitting skill has always been questionable and was widely exposed against ICC associate nation UAE. Since then, the cricketers have been working on power-hitting skills in different training sessions. But ODI captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz said that building partnerships is also key to gaining momentum in any format of cricket. According to him, Bangladesh suffered defeat in the ODI series due to their lack of ability to form big partnerships.
“We are getting out soon after getting set,” Miraz said. “We can’t keep the momentum for too long. We have to work on it. It is imperative for any format of cricket. When I was batting with Hridoy today, we nearly grabbed the momentum (in the third ODI). Then I got out. Momentum is required for a partnership. Strike rotation is important in a partnership.”
Bangladesh, however, had several memorable occasions against Sri Lanka in the T20 format, although they lost 11 and won six in 17 meetings. Their highest score (215-5) in T20 format came against Sri Lanka in Colombo in 2018. What made the occasion more memorable was that they chased down Sri Lanka’s 214-6 successfully with Mushfiqur Rahim smashing 35-ball 72 not out. Bangladesh went past a 200-plus total in T20 cricket only seven times, two of which came against Sri Lanka.
The visitors will get the full-strength pace attack in the series, with Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman returning to the side after missing series against UAE and Pakistan (Mustafizur though only played the first T20 against UAE before joining the IPL). Bangladesh’s pace attack, led by rejuvenated Taskin, did their job impeccably over the last three years, but their efforts were often undermined by inconsistent batting.
Bangladesh selectors also recalled pace-bowling all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin and batter Naim Sheikh to the squad. The squads for both teams have been announced, with Bangladesh featuring players like Liton Das as captain, and Sri Lanka led by Charith Asalanka. Both teams are keen to make their mark in this series and prepare for upcoming international engagements.