Both the Test and ODI series’ were squared, 1-1 and it’s time for the shortest format of the game, T20 Internationals to determine the clear winner between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh as the two-match series starts tomorrow at R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium.
Past Encounters
In the past, only five T20’s have been played between these two South Asian countries with Sri Lanka winning four and Bangladesh managing a solitary win. The most recent T20 game took place last year during the T20 Asia Cup where Bangladesh had the better of their opponents by 23 runs in Dhaka. Sri Lanka managed a 17-run win in the only T20 which has been played on Lankan soil against Bangladesh in 2013.
Sri Lanka
After wiping out South Africa and Australia in their own back yards, seventh-ranked Sri Lanka will be aiming for their third straight T20 series win when battling against ninth-ranked Bangladesh. The selectors opted to leave out Kusal Mendis from T20’s which got a positive response from the fans as the brightest young batting talent is to be preserved for the Tests and ODIs. After a clinical performance in the 3rd ODI, the hosts will be up on confidence and momentum going into the T20 series.
Lasith Malinga will be playing an international game on home soil since November, 2015 and will be a serious threat for the visitors along with his partner-in-crime, Nuwan Kulasekara who bagged four scalps in the final ODI.
Kusal Mendis left out of Bangladesh T20Is; Tharanga to lead
Upul Tharanga was named as the Sri Lanka T20I captain for the upcoming two-match series against Bangladesh which starts on Tuesday….
Dilshan Munaweera has been timing the leather ball quite exquisitely since his return to international cricket and will be eyeing to cement his spot in the T20I team with another couple of dashing performances.
The hero of the win down under, Asela Gunarathne will be the main cog in the Lankan batting wheel and will have great assistance with the return of Thisara Perera into the team. Upul Tharanga will continue to lead the hosts’ due to the continued absence of injured Angelo Mathews and Danushka Gunathilake is expected to partner his captain yet again.
Probable XI – Upul Tharanga (Captain), Danushka Gunathilake, Dilshan Munaweera, Kusal Janith Perera, Asela Gunarathne, Chamara Kapugedara, Thisara Perera, Seekkuge Prasanna, Nuwan Kulasekara, Vikum Sanjaya, Lasith Malinga.
Bangladesh
In one of the most successful away tours, a series victory has still eluded the Bangladeshis but defeating a red-hot Sri Lankan T20 outfit will be tougher than they would ever imagine. Bangladesh were clean swept, 3-0 by New Zealand in their last T20 assignment and will be itching to make a mark in the shortest format of the game.
20-year old all-rounder Mohommad Saifuddin has earned a maiden T20 call-up to the national side after a string of hefty performances in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). Wicket-keeper batsman Mushfiqur Rahim who missed out on the New Zealand T20’s returns to the T20 set up while Mehedi Hasan will once again look to dismantle the left-hand heavy Lankan batting lineup.
The likes of Tamim Iqbal, Sabbir Rahman and Shakib Al Hasan will fancy the Lankan bowlers on a batting-friendly R. Premadasa surface while skipper Mashrafe Mortaza, Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rehman will most probably form the seam bowling lineup. Bangladesh’s mantra this tour has been to make least number of changes to their playing XI and they will certainly follow suit in T20Is as well.
Probable XI – Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Sabbir Rahman, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahamadullah, Mosaddek Hossain, Mehedi Hasan, Mashrafe Mortaza (Captain), Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman.
Final Say
Sri Lanka still remains tough to beat at home and the experienced campaigners will surely play a pivotal role against Bangladesh as they start as favourites in the third and final leg of the tour. The visitors will surely find it difficult to deal with the match-winners of Sri Lanka but will be certainly happy if they manage to win at least one game during this series.
