Pallekele: To hit back to the winning way after a disappointing outing in Tests and ODIs, Bangladesh will take on Sri Lanka in the three-match T20 International series opening game today at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. The match starts at 7.30 PM (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 due to his lean batting patch, will lead the side in T20s. “T20I is a different format. Tests are different. ODIs are also different. We all know how to play T20 cricket, and that’s what we will focus on,” Liton told the reporters in a press conference at Pallekele Stadium yesterday. “We will try our best. It’s not going to be easy since it’s their home ground, and they are strong at home, but we will give our best.”
Bangladesh are currently on a five-match losing streak in the T20 format. After sweeping a three-match T20 series against West Indies on the Caribbean Island at the end of last year, Bangladesh are expected to be consistent in this format. However, they faced a shocking 2-1 defeat to UAE in May, followed by a 3-0 whitewash against Pakistan just a week later. Bangladeshi batters’ power-hitting skills were questioned and exposed against ICC associate nation UAE. Since then, the cricketers have been working on power-hitting skills in different training sessions.
Bangladesh have 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, where they chased down Sri Lanka’s 214-6 successfully to win the game, with Mushfiqur Rahim smashing 35 balls 72 not out. Bangladesh went past 200 plus total in T20 cricket only seven times, two of which came against Sri Lanka.
Liton Das commented, “Sri Lanka are always a better team, and that’s why they won games. In T20s, if you play good cricket on your given day, you will win. They have a lot of experience playing here, and overall, their bowling is strong with several mystery bowlers.” The visitors will have 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. Bangladesh’s pace attack, led by rejuvenated Taskin, has performed well over the last three years but is often undermined by the batters. Bangladesh selectors also recalled pace-bowling all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin and batter Naim Sheikh in the squad.
Bangladesh: Liton Das (Captain), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Parvez Hossain Emon, Naim Sheikh, Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali Anik, Shamim Patwari, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Saifuddin.
Sri Lanka: Charith Asalanka (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Avishka Fernando, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamika Karunaratne, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Binura Fernando, and Eshan Malinga.