Excitement builds as Sri Lanka gears up to defend their unbeaten streak against Bangladesh in this electrifying tri-series clash.
The hosts, Sri Lanka, have remained the only unbeaten team in the T20I tri-series so far and they host a fired-up Bangladesh team eager to bounce back from their recent loss against India earlier in the week.
Sri Lanka must rekindle the elements that led them to triumph over the mighty Indian side in the series opener, while Bangladesh looks to deliver a much stronger and balanced performance if they want to challenge the hosts.
Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh | Saturday, 10 March | R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo | 15:30
Match to Win Odds
Sri Lanka 52/100
Tie 35/1
Bangladesh 31/20
Sri Lanka’s Strategy
Sri Lanka’s victory over India was marked by the impressive top-order batting of Kusal Perera and the late-game prowess of Thisara Perera. However, the team needs another batsman to contribute significantly, providing stability and more than 30 runs to build strong totals above 180.
The playing XI is likely to stay unchanged, but a tactical push is expected, particularly to get more overs from spinners like Jeevan Mendis and Danushka Gunathilaka, who were more effective than seamers in the last match. This spin duo could unsettle the Bangladeshi batsmen with their variations.
Although the R Premadasa ground hasn’t been particularly kind to Sri Lanka in T20 internationals historically, the team will look to overcome past struggles – especially their difficulty facing pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman, a challenge they must handle carefully this Saturday.
The team has to maintain their momentum carefully, as slipping from unbeaten status could trigger a series of defeats, similar to patterns seen in ODI formats.
Bangladesh’s Challenge
Bangladesh knows they underperformed against India, who faced a less challenging test than expected. This inconsistency – swinging hot and cold – has plagued Bangladesh’s performances, and they must put their best foot forward to stay competitive against the strong Sri Lankan team.
Pace bowlers Rahman and Rubel Hossain impressed in their last outing, extracting bounce from a slower pitch. Rahman’s speed combined with Hossain’s unique slingy bowling action might offer Bangladesh a potent weapon to unsettle Sri Lanka’s batsmen. Their main task will be neutralising Sri Lankan key players like Dinesh Chandimal and Upul Tharanga.
Even without Shakib Al Hasan due to injury, captaincy might rest elsewhere, but Mushfiqur Rahim’s leadership and batting will be vital. He needs to exhibit patience and resilience when facing the Sri Lankan spin attack, especially during crucial moments.
If victorious at the toss, skipper Mohammad Mahmudullah is expected to choose bowling first, as chasing has traditionally been more favourable at this venue, particularly when target totals hover around 160. However, Bangladesh’s recent struggles to successfully chase such totals means their batting line-up must raise its game.
Final Verdict: Sri Lanka 52/100
Sri Lanka looks set to maintain their unbeaten run in this tri-series and strengthen their place in the final, while Bangladesh faces an uphill task to keep their championship hopes alive.
Follow us on Twitter for the latest live updates, thrilling previews, fixtures, and match results.
