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Bangladesh is set to host Sri Lanka in a thrilling three-match T20I series, gearing up for the upcoming T20 World Cup in June. The series promises to be a fiercely contested battle as both teams look to fine-tune their strategies and test their strengths ahead of the global tournament.
Recent Form and Head-to-Head
Bangladesh enters the series fresh off a 1-1 draw in their recent T20 series against New Zealand, displaying a competitive edge. On the other hand, Sri Lanka dominated their T20I encounters against Zimbabwe and Afghanistan at home, showcasing their prowess in the format. Despite Bangladesh’s historical struggle against Sri Lanka, winning only one out of five encounters, their recent performances suggest a closer contest than the numbers imply.
Team Previews
Bangladesh Preview: A revamped Bangladesh squad sees the return of veteran Mahmudullah, adding experience to the lineup. With changes in squad composition, including the exclusion of Mehidy Hasan Miraz and others, captaincy duties fall upon Najmul Hossain Shanto. The batting order features talents like Soumya Sarkar, Litton Das, and Anamul Haque, while the bowling attack is led by Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed.
Sri Lanka Preview: Sri Lanka faces the absence of Wanindu Hasaranga due to suspension, but Charith Asalanka steps up as captain in the first two matches. Avishka Fernando and Kusal Mendis bolster the batting lineup, while Angelo Mathews and Dhananjaya de Silva add depth as all-rounders. The versatile bowling attack, featuring Nuwan Thushara and Maheesh Theekshana, offers flexibility under any conditions.
Pitch and Weather Conditions
The Sylhet International Cricket Stadium is set to host this exciting encounter, known for its batting-friendly pitch. Teams chasing have had more success here, making batting second a preferred choice for the toss-winning team. The weather forecast indicates ideal playing conditions with no rain expected.
Prediction
With Sri Lanka’s strong track record against Bangladesh, particularly at this venue, they enter as favorites. Having won four out of five matches against Bangladesh in Sylhet, Sri Lanka is expected to maintain their dominance and secure victory in this opening match of the series.
As the stage is set for a thrilling showdown, cricket fans can anticipate an action-packed clash between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, with Sri Lanka predicted to emerge victorious in this gripping T20I encounter.
