BSS
  15 Jul 2025, 12:36

Bangladesh eying first T20 series victory against Sri Lanka

DHAKA, July 15, 2025 (BSS)-Bangladesh brimmed with confidence to win their first T20 series against Sri Lanka as they take on the hosts in the series-deciding third game at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo tomorrow (Wednesday). The match starts at 7.30 PM (Bangladesh Time).

Bangladesh lost the first game by seven wickets but made a strong comeback in the second one, having thrashed the Lankans by 83 runs, a victory which was their largest against any Test-playing nation.

The confidence to win the series stemmed from that comprehensive victory, said Bangladesh batter Shamim Patwari.

"Now the series is level at 1-1, the win in the second match was important for us because of gaining confidence," Patwari said. "Now we have the chance to win the series, and hopefully, if we play well, we will win it."

Bangladesh have never won any T20 series against Sri Lanka, having played five earlier. The best result they achieved was a draw in a two-match series in 2017 in Sri Lanka. Overall, the two sides played 19 matches in that format with Bangladesh winning 7 and losing 12.

Tomorrow's match will end Bangladesh's long tour, in which they played all formats of cricket. They lost the two-match Test series 1-0 and the three-match ODI series 2-1.

The series-deciding T20 gave them a chance to make a winning end to the series even though their batting is inconsistent.

After a mediocre batting show in the first T20, Bangladesh batters regrouped well with captain Liton Das leading from the front. He set the tone with a scintillating 50-ball-76 while Shamim Patwari gave the late impetus with a 26-ball-48.

Patwari said they want to bat in the same vein in the series-deciding game for a crucial victory.

Bangladesh is unlikely to break the winning combination for the third game.

Bangladesh: Liton Das (Captain), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Parvez Hossain Emon, Naim Sheikh, Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali Anik, Shamim Patwari, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Saifuddin.

Sri Lanka: Charith Asalanka (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Avishka Fernando, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamika Karunaratne, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Binura Fernando, and Eshan Malinga.