Sri Lanka eye early series win; Bangladesh keen to equalise
Sri Lanka will look to seal the three-match T20 International series with a game to spare when they take on Bangladesh in the second encounter at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium this evening. After an emphatic 7-wicket win in the series opener at Pallekele, the hosts will be riding high on confidence and eager to continue the momentum.
The first T20I was a statement performance by the home side. A collective bowling effort, followed by an explosive batting display, helped them ease past Bangladesh in a game that was largely one-sided. Sri Lanka’s power-packed powerplay, in which they racked up 83 runs in just six overs, virtually ended the contest by the halfway mark of their chase.
The Sri Lankan camp has a light moment with Bangladesh skipper Litton Das at Dambulla while inspecting the pitch
More than just a bilateral series, this contest carries significant weight for Sri Lanka as they look to finalise their core group of players ahead of next year’s ICC T20 World Cup, which Sri Lanka will co-host alongside India. The national selectors are still in search of the ideal combination, having struggled with inconsistency over the past year. The results have reflected this instability, with the team losing 12 of their last 24 T20 internationals and winning 11.
The team’s struggles forced the selectors to recall experienced campaigners Dasun Shanaka and Chamika Karunaratne, both of whom had been out of the squad for over a year. Shanaka, a former captain, proved his worth immediately in Pallekele. He delivered a full four-over spell, conceding just 22 runs and picking up a crucial wicket that helped slow Bangladesh’s early momentum. While he didn’t get a chance to bat, his calm presence in the middle added value to the side.
Karunaratne, on the other hand, had a quiet outing, bowling just one over. Despite individual brilliance from the likes of Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, and Charith Asalanka — all of whom are in good nick — Sri Lanka has yet to string together a consistent run of performances in the shortest format.
As for the bowling department, Sri Lanka seems content with its current setup. Nuwan Thushara and Binura Fernando will continue to lead the seam attack, supported by Shanaka’s part-time seamers. The spin duo of Maheesh Theekshana, who took 2 for 37 in the first game, and Jeffrey Vandersay, who was economical with 1 for 25, gives the team both control and wicket-taking options in the middle overs.
Bangladesh, meanwhile, finds itself on the back foot yet again. With just one win in their last six matches in the current tour— a solitary victory in the ODI series — they must bounce back in Dambulla to keep the T20I series alive. The visitors showed promise at the start of the first game, with openers Parvez Hossain and Tanzid Hasan adding 46 runs in just five overs.
However, once the opening stand was broken, the innings unravelled rapidly. Their middle order lacked composure and failed to adapt to the changing conditions, allowing Sri Lanka to claw back into the game with disciplined bowling. What promised to be a 180-plus score ended up being a modest target, which was easily chased down by the hosts. For Bangladesh to level the series, their batters will need to show more application and intent through the middle overs, while the bowlers must find a way to counter Sri Lanka’s aggressive top order.