Bangladesh aim at hitting back into winning way to keep the three-match ODI series alive as they take on Sri Lanka in the second match today (Sunday) at the R Premadasa Stadium.
The match starts at 3 PM (Bangladesh Standard Time). BTV, GTV and Maasranga TV will telecast the match live.
With 1-0 behind the series following a 91-run drubbing, the Bangladesh team will be keen to take the advantage of the loopholes in Sri Lankan bowling, created by the retirement of Lasith Malinga, who dazzled in impeccable way in the first ODI, his last match also to demolish Bangladesh.
Malinga indeed scripted a perfect farewell for him by his own, with two vicious toe-crushing yorkers in his first spell that saw Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar’s wicket scattered, leaving Bangladesh in awful state after Sri Lanka piled up 314-8.
The curly-haired Malinga, adorably called as yorker-master ended up with 3-38 in his last ODI to finally dismiss Bangladesh for 223 in 41.4 overs.
Malinga in fact gave Bangladesh nightmares throughout his career. But with Sri Lanka pondering life after Malinga, it’s high time for Tigers to come all guns blazing.
Dasun Shanaka, a right-arm pacer and a useful lower order hard-hitter would fill Malinga’s place for next two ODIs. But knowing that they would not have to face off Malinga’s 10 overs, Bangladesh is expected to be charged-up in their mission to level the series.
And Bangladesh indeed need this sort of leeway apart from the luck. Tamim Iqbal, the 14th ODI captain of Bangladesh had ordinary debut while he continued his poor batting form even though he had little to do against that Malinga-special.
But, he knows he needs to lead from the front as captain and one of the senior players in the side, specially when Shakib Al Hasan and Mashrafe Bin Mortaza were absent in the series.
“I’ve been struggling a bit,” Tamim said after the first match.
“When I am the captain, I need to start performing well, lead from the front. Today, the boys showed character. At one point it looked like 350-360 would be the target. We need to regroup ourselves,” he added.
While Bangladesh were wayward in bowling and looked out-of-sort and jaded in fielding, Tamim said he still keeps trusting the players to comeback strongly.
“Two games to go. Hopefully we can do better. The 15 I have, I’m very happy with them. We just have to keep on trusting them. They have the ability, just have to take responsibility. The good thing is we’re still in the competition.”
Sabbir Rahman and experienced Mushfiqur Rahim played 60 plus knock in the first innings, but Mahmudullah Riyad was an utter disappointment.
Mahmudullah claimed himself fit and opted to play the series, but his effort on the ground cost Bangladesh the match dearly. He shelled the catch of Kusal Mendis and then played a rash shot to throw his wicket when Bangladesh were in tricky position.
But Tamim said all players are determined to hit back in winning way, learning from the mistakes they made in the first match.
However with the victory, Sri Lanka ended their two-match losing streak to Bangladesh and tightened their position in overall encounter between the two teams. Of the 46 match, they played, Sri Lanka won 37 while Bangladesh won just 7. Two other matches were washed out.
And Sri Lanka will try to seal the series today, apart from extending the number of wins against Bangladesh.
Sri Lanka’s top order showed their character and if they continue it, Bangladesh may find it hard to resist Lankan juggernaut.
“All the boys are supporting me in the last few months. World Cup and upto here, they’ve given me their 100 pc. We’re on the right path. We need to improve a few things,” said Sri Lankan captain Dimuth Karunaratne.
