Sabbir Hossain :Bangladesh will face Sri Lanka today (Thursday) in the second One Day International (ODI) match at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka. The day/night affairs will start at 1.00 pm BST (Bangladesh Standard Time).The Bangladesh Television and the Maasranga Television will telecast the game live from the stadium.The hosts already trail the series 0-1 after 13 runs loss to the visitors in the first ODI at the same venue on February 17. Dashing opener Tamim Iqbal and country’s best medium pacer Mashrafe Bin Mortaza are doubtful starters. If Mashrafe misses the match, Al-Amin Hossain will be his replacement. Besides, if captain Mushfiqur Rahim plays as a wicketkeeper, Naeem Islam has a chance to play.On the other hand, bowler Nuwan Kulasekara, who was injured in the first ODI has been ruled out for the second ODI against Bangladesh. In that case, Dhammika Prasad will fill the vacuum.Bangladesh batsman Shamsur Rahman said, “I am optimistic of playing better cricket today. We have two matches in hand. We can fight back. It was our bad luck that we lost despite good prospect of victory at sight. Today we shall overcome the shortcomings”.Sri Lankan Coach Paul Farbrace said, “The first ODI was a very close match. Bangladesh is a very good team and we shall play for winning the series”Visiting team’s Sachitra Senanayake said, “I was under pressure when I went to bat against Bangladesh in the first ODI. My plan was to play my best. I did it and earned the victory. Our batting coach Marvan Atapattu give the bowlers chances to bat s in the practice sessions. It has helped our bowlers improve performance.”According to a report, the pitch is dry and Thursday will remain sunny. The surface is likely to be slow and low.Squads:Bangladesh (probables): Tamim Iqbal, Shamsur Rahman, Anamul Haque /Naeem Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim (Captain), Shakib Al Hasan, Nasir Hossain, Sohag Gazi, Arafat Sunny, Al-Amin Hossain/Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Rubel Hossain.Sri Lanka (probables): Kusal Perera, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, Dinesh Chandimal, Ashan Priyanjan, Kithuruwan Vithanage, Angelo Mathews (Captain), Thisara Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Sachithra Senanayake,Lasith Malinga, Dhammika Prasad.
