Motivated Tigers to face Sri Lanka Friday
Motivated Bangladesh will face Sri Lanka in their second match of the triangular series to be held tomorrow (Friday) at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium at Mirpur in the capital.
The match will begin at 12 pm.
After an overwhelming eight-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the opening match of the series, the Tigers' confidence is now at a peak and they will aim to continue their winning pace against Sri Lanka.
Being a host, the Tigers will get extra advantage in their ground and will get local support, which will increase their courage that will help them to show better performance than the first match.
Opener Tamim Iqbal showed his excellent form with a match-winning unbeaten knock of 84 runs and all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan was superb with both his batting and bowling.
Bangladesh was able to post a big victory following Shakib's magnificent all-round show. The Tigers restricted Zimbabwe in a small total after Shakib's fierce bowling spells of 4 for 43. He was also shine with bat scoring 37 runs in the first match.
The Bangladesh top-order is a tough place to break into these days, so Anamul Haque would be expected to put in a better effort in his second game back in the team after nearly three years.
Bowling sensation Mustafizur Rahman and pacer Rubel Hossain also supported Shakib taking two wickets each, but Mustafizur was more economical giving only 24 runs from five overs.
Skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza may think that the duo would flare up again and causes the concern of Sri Lankan batsmen and the Tigers' fans must are expecting the same performance from tigers against Sri Lanka.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka made a frustrating start in the series with a shocking 12-run defeat to Zimbabwe, the comparatively weaker side in the tournament.
Chasing Zimbabwe's massive 291-runs Target Sri Lankan top orders were uncomfortable against the Zimbabwe bowling attacks except opener Kusal Perera who played a fighting 80-run knock while the remaining crumbled.
Middle order batsman Thisara Perera fought in the end to chase the target but he eventually could not take his team towards the destination. The Sri Lankan tail-enders' also failed at the same way.
The Islanders must be aim to fight back against Bangladesh. They have some quality players like Suranga Lakmal, Angelo Mathews and Upal Tharanga who have ability to change the fate of the match any time.
Sri Lankan pacer Asela Gunaratne was superb with ball with a figure 3 for 37 in his seven overs and the Lankan captain may expect the same performance from him in the second match against Bangladesh. Pacer Suranga Lakmal and all-rounder Thisara Perera also strengthened Sri Lankan bowling department.
Squads:
Bangladesh (probable): 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Anamul Haque, 3 Shakib Al Hasan, 4 Mushfiqur Rahim (wicket keeper), 5 Mahmudullah, 6 Nasir Hossain, 7 Sabbir Rahman, 8 Mashrafe Mortaza (captain), 9 Sunzamul Islam, 10 Mustafizur Rahman, 11 Rubel Hossain.
Sri Lanka (probable): 1 Upul Tharanga, 2 Kusal Perera, 3 Dinesh Chandimal (wicket keeper), 4 Angelo Mathews/Niroshan Dickwella, 5 Kusal Mendis, 6 Asela Gunaratne, 7 Thisara Perera, 8 Wanindu Hasaranga, 9 Suranga Lakmal, 10 Akila Dhananjaya, 11 Dushmantha Chameera.
Source: BSS
