Dambulla: In a bid to stay alive in the three-match series, Bangladesh will take on Sri Lanka in the second T20 tomorrow at Dambulla International Cricket Stadium. The match will start at 7.30 pm Bangladesh time. Bangladesh lost the first game by seven wickets, which made the second match a 'do or die' contest for them to keep their hopes alive in the series. The defeat in the first game extended their losing streak to six, highlighting their struggles in this format. According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Bangladesh's bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed pointed out the cricketer's lack of ability to convert scores of 30s or 40s into 70s or 80s as a key reason behind their recent performances. Mushtaq, a former Pakistan legspinner, emphasized the importance of building on promising starts. 'When a batsman is in form and gets 30s or 40s, the next challenge is to convert those into 70s and 80s,' Mushtaq stated. He cited Kusal Mendis as an example, who consistently made significant scores and posed challenges for Ba ngladesh's bowling attack. In the opening T20 game, Bangladesh started well with a strong performance from Parvez Hossain Emon. However, after his dismissal for a 22-ball 38, the batting lineup faltered, eventually reaching 154-5. Sri Lanka chased down the target in 19 overs, led by Kusal Mendis' 51-ball 73 and a quick-fire 42 off 16 from Pathum Nissanka. Mushtaq noted that Bangladesh's batters often fail to execute key plays at crucial moments. 'When it mattered most, the execution is nowhere seen. Shamim showed positive intent with that reverse-sweep six right after coming in,' he remarked. 'But to post winning totals on challenging pitches, you need to bat long and convert those starts into bigger scores.' Bangladesh might consider changes to their playing XI for the second T20. Jaker Ali Anik, who missed the first game due to a left quadriceps injury, could return if fit, while Mustafizur Rahman may be included after being left out in the first match. The squads for both teams include several key play ers. Bangladesh's lineup features Liton Das (Captain), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Parvez Hossain Emon, and others. Sri Lanka's squad is led by Charith Asalanka and includes notable players like Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, and Dinesh Chandimal.
