Sri Lanka have called up fast bowlers Nuwan Kulasekara and Nuwan Pradeep to strengthen the bowling unit ahead of the 2nd ODI against Bangladesh to be held at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium tomorrow (28th).
Sri Lanka seek complete turnaround in 2nd ODI
After losing the 1st ODI of the series against Bangladesh in Dambulla by a margin of 90 runs…
Ostensibly this move is as a backup for Suranga Lakmal, who took a blow to his right hand during the latter part of Bangladesh’s innings in the 1st ODI. Speaking at the Pre-match presser held earlier today, team manager Asanka Gurusinghe said,
“We have included Nuwan Kulasekara and Nuwan Pradeep into the squad. The main reason for this was we weren’t sure about Suranga’s fitness. We didn’t want someone to have to come in tomorrow morning so we thought it’s good to get two people in so that we have more options to look at.”
Kulasekara, one of Sri Lanka’s more experienced bowlers, last played an ODI in South Africa last month, while Pradeep has not featured in the 50 over format since the Triangular series in Zimbabwe last November.
Sri Lanka conceded 324 runs to the marauding Bangladeshis on Saturday, by far the visitors’ highest total against the hosts and their 3rd highest total overall. Sri Lanka face a must win situation on Tuesday if they are to keep the series alive and according to Gurusinghe the belief is alive and well in the Sri Lankan camp.
“The team is really pumped up. After losing the 1st game, the pressure is on us. We’re confident we can play better, much better than we did.”
The 2nd game will also see the return of in-form batsman Niroshan Dickwella to the top of the order .
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