Sri Lanka will look to bounce back into recognition when they take on Bangladesh in the second One Day International (ODI) Day/Night encounter at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka today. Sri Lanka will hope for a quick turnaround in their attempt to keep the three-match series alive after having suffered a demoralising 33-run defeat in the first ODI at the same venue on Sunday.
“Losing is not good but we had a lot of positives in this game,”
Sri Lanka Skipper Kusal Janith Perera said after the first ODI.
“The bowlers bowled in the right directions, batting-wise Wanindu (Hasaranga) did a good job.”
“Bangladesh have a lot of seniors with plenty of experienced players and our bowlers weren’t so, but restricting them to 257 was a good effort,”
he said.
“I think 257 is not an impossible target to chase but our top order batsmen need to play more responsibly.”
“Hasaranga is highly rated as a batsman in these conditions and he proved once again with a fighting knock.”
“After bowling his quota of 10 overs it was a really good knock of 74 in 60 balls which contained three fours and five sixes.”
“I think our batsmen must stay at the wicket for at least 30-35 overs to build up the innings. The way our batsmen got out early was disappointing.”
“Isuru Udana and Haranaga gave us a chance but the opposing bowlers did their part well and all credit should go to them. We have two games and hope to make a strong comeback,”
added Perera.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka are placed at the bottom of the ICC Cricket World Cup Super League points table with zero wins in the four matches. The next two ODIs against Bangladesh present them with the opportunity to take the series and the scope to grab 20 points essential for their plain sailing to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. In contrast, Bangladesh have 40 points in the ICC Cricket World Cup Super League standings and have jumped to the fourth spot in the points table.
The teams
Bangladesh (probable): Tamim Iqbal (Captain), Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Mithun, Mahmudullah Riyad, Afif Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman/Shoriful Islam.
Sri Lanka (probable): Kusal Perera (Captain), Danushka Gunathilaka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Ashen Bandara/Niroshan Dickwella, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Isuru Udana/Ramesh Mendis, Lakshan Sandakan/Akila Dananjaya and Dushmantha Chameera
