BAN vs SL, 1st T20I, Preview: Teams battle for ascendancy in the shortest format

Sri Lanka will look to arrest their eight-match losing streak in the format.

Published - 14 Feb 2018, 17:36 IST | Updated - 14 Feb 2018, 17:36 IST

2 Min Read

Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will lock horns in the first of the two-match T20I series at Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka on Thursday. The visitors have been ruthless and have grown in confidence gradually as the tour has progressed despite injuries to their key players. The Tigers, on the other hand, have been found wanting at times and with their dependency on the senior players. However, the stakes will be high when both the team will face off each other in the first match of the series.

Bangladesh have lost their last two matches in the format during their winless tour to South Africa. Though they were involved in the subsequent Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), they’ve struggled to make a statement in this format. It is high time that they look for some of the specialists and give opportunities to the youngsters who do well in their T20 tournament. For now, though, they’ve kept faith on the experienced lot and the team which also consists of some exciting talent.

Sri Lanka is looking a more settled outfit albeit compared to their opponent. Even they were blanked by India in the three-match rubber in December last year. They had also lost the prior series to Pakistan and would love to turn the fortunes around in the presence of their new coach. They’ve been clinical on this tour so far after stuttering at the start. They’ve won the ODI tri-series, Test series and would be itching to clean slate the hosts by winning the T20I series as well.

Sri Lanka will also look to arrest their eight-match losing streak in the format.

Playing Combinations

Bangladesh

The hosts are already rocked with Shakib Al Hasan being ruled out of the series as he failed to recover from the finger injury he sustained during the tri-series. To add to their woes, it is being reported that Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim are also nursing minor injuries. Mohammad Mithun has been called up to the squad as cover for them. He might come into the playing XI if Rahim doesn’t feature in the first match. The bowling attack led by Mustafizur Rahman should make sure they restrict the opposition to a decent total in any case.

Probable XI: Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim/Mohammad Mithun (wk), Mahmudullah, Sabbir Rahman, Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Abu Hider Rony, Abu Jayed, Mehdi Hasan

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka are also struggling with injuries with their originally appointed captain Angelo Mathews ruled out of the series. Also, Kusal Perera returned home after suffering from side strain during the second ODI against Zimbabwe in the tri-series. Kusal Mendis has been named as an immediate replacement for him and will feature in the XI most likely at number 3. The remainder of the side looks settled with Danushka Gunthilaka likely to open the innings with Upul Tharanga.

Probable XI: Dinesh Chandimal(c), Upul Tharanga, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Thisara Perera, Asela Gunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Dasun Shanaka, Shehan Madushanka, Jeffrey Vandersay, Akila Dananjaya

Head to Head

Played – 7 Bangladesh – 2 Sri Lanka – 5

Focus will be on

Tamim Iqbal (Bangladesh)

Tamim Iqbal will be itching to make his return after missing out on the T20 series against South Africa due to the injury. His return at the top will surely bolster their batting in the absence of Shakib Al Hasan. Being a senior member of the team, he will have to curb all his risky shots and look to play through the innings. His performance will long way decide the outcome of the match.

Thisara Perera (Sri Lanka)

Thisara Perera has been in exceptional form in the limited overs format of late and Bangladesh seems to be his favourite opponent. He has an impeccable strike rate of 147.03 against them and he will be key once again for Sri Lanka if they are to beat the hosts. Even his bowling has gone a notch higher and his all-round effort in the game will easily win the game for the team from the island nation on Thursday.