Bangladesh will need to bounce back quickly after a humbling seven-wicket loss to Sri Lanka in the opening match of their three-match T20I series at Pallekele. A blistering opening stand from Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis left the visitors reeling, as Litton Das’s side failed to mount any meaningful resistance with either bat or ball.
As the series shifts to Dambulla for the second match on Sunday, Bangladesh have once again lost the toss, with Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka opting to bowl first. The equation is simple for the Tigers—win to stay alive in the series.
Three changes have been made to the Bangladesh XI following the first defeat. Jaker Ali Anik comes into the side in place of Naim Sheikh, who remained unbeaten on 32 off 29 balls in the opener but makes way. Anik had missed the first match due to a left hamstring injury.
Pace spearhead Taskin Ahmed, who went wicketless for 43 runs in three overs, has been replaced by left-arm quick Shoriful Islam. The final change sees Mustafizur Rahman return to the side at the expense of Tanzim Hasan Sakib.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, have named an unchanged XI, buoyed by the dominance of their top order and a well-rounded bowling attack.
Playing XIs:
Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Litton Das (captain), Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Jaker Ali Anik, Rishad Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman.
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Avishka Fernando, Charith Asalanka (captain), Dasun Shanaka, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara.