Bangladesh gears up for the upcoming T20 World Cup in June, commencing their preparations with a three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka beginning tomorrow. In their recent T20 series against New Zealand in New Zealand, Bangladesh drew 1-1, while Sri Lanka triumphed over both Zimbabwe and Afghanistan with a 2-1 margin in each of their home series. Despite Bangladesh’s historical struggles against Sri Lanka, winning just 4 out of 13 T20I encounters, a noticeable transformation is evident in the team’s dynamics, fueled by the emergence of new talents within the squad in recent months.
Bangladesh holds a strong track record in Sri Lanka, emerging victorious in three of the last five meetings, albeit from 2013 to 2018. However, the absence of key players is expected to impact crucial matchups. The contest is poised to be closely contested, with both teams undergoing transformations in their roster and fortunes. The forthcoming series could defy the perceived mismatch highlighted by the numbers, offering supporters an engaging face-off between the two teams.
Match Details:
- Match: Sri Lanka Tour of Bangladesh 2024, 1st T20I
- Venue: Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Sylhet
- Date & Time: Monday, March 4, 5:30 pm (IST)
- Live Broadcast and Streaming: Fancode (app and website)
Pitch Report:
Batsmen at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium can make the most of the pitch, which offers true bounce and allows for well-timed strokes. In the initial stages, fast bowlers might benefit from the windy conditions, while spinners could utilize the bounce to generate late spin off the pitch. Recent matches haven’t seen high scores; anything above around 160 would likely be a daunting target. This pitch favors balanced bowling attacks and promises an exciting contest.
Probable Playing XIs:
Bangladesh:
- Soumya Sarkar
- Litton Das
- Anamul Haque (wk)
- Najmul Hossain Shanto (C)
- Tawhid Hridoy
- Mahmudullah
- Shoriful Islam
- Taijul Islam
- Mahedi Hasan
- Mustafizur Rahman
- Taskin Ahmed
Sri Lanka:
- Avishka Fernando
- Kusal Mendis (wk)
- Sadeera Samarawickrama
- Dhananjaya de Silva
- Charith Asalanka (C)
- Angelo Mathews
- Matheesha Pathirana
- Maheesh Theekshana
- Dilshan Madushanka
- Nuwan Thushara
- Jeffrey Vandersay
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