Can Sri Lanka continue their dominance in T20I series?

The first T20I of the two-match T20I series between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will kick off on Thursday (February 15) at around 05:00 pm local time (11:00 GMT). This match will take place at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mirpur.

Winning two back-to-back series, first the triangular ODI series and then two-match Test series 1-0, against the host nation, the Lankans are now in buoyant form. They are expecting to continue their winning streak even in T20I series. Cricket lovers are eagerly waiting to see if the host national can make their bounce back and can stop Sri Lanka’s dominance in the first T20I. 

Injury is perhaps the main cause of concern for both teams. Like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka will also play without their first-choice captain, Angelo Mathews, who has been sidelined with a hamstring injury. Bangladesh Test and T20 skipper, Shakib Al Hasan, sustained a finger injury during the tri-series final and he has not completely recovered from his injury. However, Shakib is expecting to return to the squad for the second T20I. In the absence of main captains, deputies will lead the teams. Sri Lanka will be led by Dinesh Chandimal while Mahmudullah will lead Bangladesh in the first T20I.

There is no doubt that spin bowlers will get more priority. Both teams will try to pick up their best spin bowlers. Sri Lanka has a list of young and talented spinners like Jeevan Mendis, Akila Dananjaya, Jeffrey Vandersay and Amila Aponso. Young pacers Asitha Fernando and Shehan Madushanka are likely to play in the first T20I.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh has called up four uncapped players- Abu Jahed Rahi, Ariful Haque, Zakir Hasan and Afif Hossain. Experienced bowlers are Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Mehidy Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin and Abu Hider Rony. The host will have to rely on their experienced batting line up consist of Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim, Sabbir Rahman and Mahmudullah.