Two South Asian nations are set to renew their heated cricket rivalry with a Twenty20 three-match collection as they eye the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024.
Bangladesh and Sri Lanka – not India and Pakistan – will play the primary match T20 collection in Sylhet, Bangladesh on Monday, lower than three months forward of cricket’s showpiece occasion of the yr.
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto mentioned on Sunday that he needs his crew to make use of the collection to good the format forward of the World Cup in June.
The collection marks the beginning of Sri Lanka’s month-long tour of Bangladesh, which additionally contains three one-day internationals and two Checks.
Shanto mentioned it was important to “play as a crew”, noting that they bagged large wins final yr when “everybody contributed”.
Bangladesh defeated world champions England 3-0 at dwelling in 2023, and in addition received collection in opposition to the Republic of Eire and Afghanistan, earlier than drawing a three-match collection 1-1 in opposition to New Zealand.
Shanto mentioned he needed to maintain the momentum going into the World Cup, hosted this yr by the USA and the West Indies.
“Final yr, we did properly in T20s,” he advised reporters.
“It is extremely vital that we play eight or 11 matches earlier than going to the World Cup.
“If we take these matches… and resolve how we wish to play within the World Cup, then it is going to be simple to plan.”
The World Cup is a key focus of Sri Lanka, too.
Sri Lanka coach Chris Silverwood mentioned he was anticipating a “very aggressive collection between two good sides”.
“Clearly, we’re now within the build-up to what’s an vital competitors within the World Cup,” he mentioned.
“What now we have to do … is consider what’s in entrance of us and bear in mind what we’re aiming for.”
Trophy Unveiling 🏆 | T20i Collection
Dutch-Bangla Financial institution Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka #BCB | #Cricket | #BANvSL pic.twitter.com/9or37uvkhE— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) March 3, 2024
Return of the ‘Nagin dance’ rivalry
The groups have developed a hotly-contested rivalry over the previous few years, and each time they meet, there is no such thing as a scarcity of provocative phrases on the sector and placards within the stands.
Venomous on-field celebrations – which began with the “Nagin dance” in 2018 – are nearly a everlasting fixture as properly.
The final time each groups met was within the 50-over World Cup, when Bangladesh received by three wickets, however not with out controversial scenes on the bottom.
Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews turned the primary cricketer to be dismissed “timed out” in a global match as he didn’t take guard and declare himself able to face the bowler inside the stipulated time of two minutes because the dismissal of the final batter.
Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan appealed for a “timed out” dismissal, which was upheld by the on-field umpire.
Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are each in Group D for the World Cup, together with South Africa, Nepal and the Netherlands.
The second and third T20 matches will likely be held on March 6 and 9, each additionally at Sylhet.
Sri Lanka, who arrived in Bangladesh on Thursday, can even play three one-day internationals and two Checks throughout the month-long tour.
Head-to-head file
Bangladesh have by no means defeated Sri Lanka in a Twenty20 collection. Each groups have met on 13 events and Sri Lanka maintain the higher hand with 9 wins in comparison with Bangladesh’s three.
Staff information: Bangladesh
Bangladesh have recalled wicketkeeper-batsman Jaker Ali, changing injured uncapped spinner Aliss Al Islam.
Off-spinner Aliss sustained a finger damage whereas enjoying for Comilla Victorians within the just lately completed Bangladesh Premier League.
Bangladesh squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Litton Das, Anamul Haque, Mohammad Naim, Towhid Hridoy, Soumya Sarkar, Mahedi Hasan, Mahmudullah Riyad, Taijul Islam, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Jaker Ali Anik.
Staff information: Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s captain Wanindu Hasaranga will miss the primary two matches attributable to a disciplinary suspension. In the meantime, Kusal Perera is affected by a respiratory an infection and will likely be changed by Niroshan Dickwella.
Sri Lanka squad: Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Pathum Nissanka, Wanindu Hasaranga (captain), Charith Asalanka, Akila Dananjaya, Dhananjaya de Silva, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Binura Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana, Nuwan Thushara, Jeffrey Vandersay
Staff updates
Kusal Janith Perera, who was included within the T20I squad, is not going to participate within the collection as he’s affected by a respiratory an infection.
Perera didn’t be a part of the crew, which left for Bangladesh yesterday.
The Cricket Choice Committee has named Niroshan Dickwella… pic.twitter.com/kXUBzxmv6N— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) March 1, 2024
