Lankans face tough task in Twenty20 game today
by Sajeewa Jayakody reporting from Pallekele
ICC’s top ranked Sri Lanka team, led by debut skipper Dinesh
Chandimal, will face a tough challenge from the confident Bangladesh in
the one-off Twenty20 encounter to be played at picturesque Pallekele
Stadium today.
Currently, Sri Lanka are the best side in the shortest format of the
game in the world while Bangladesh are placed ninth in the ICC Twenty20
Reliance Rankings.
The home team will relegate to the second position if Bangladesh will
do an upset in the tour ending match today.
Sri Lanka selectors headed by Sanath Jayasuriya, rested experienced
Tillekeratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara and seamer Nuwan Kulasekara
tossing up six fringe playersi nto the side.
“We miss seasoned campaigners Tillekeratne Dilshan and Kumar
angakkara, who performed well in the recent matches. But I am confident
with my team, which is a blend of new talants,” said Sri Lanka’s
Twenty20 captain Dinesh Chandimal.
Explosive opening batsman Dilshan Munaweera will replace Tillekeratne
Dilshan, Sri Lanka’s opening slot with dangerous Kusal Janith Perera,
who will be the cynosure of all eyes today.
Kusal Perera’s hard hitting approch in the Lankan top order,
bolstered the side in the recent matches and the hosts are set to make
an explosive start on the good batting track at Pallekele.
Left handers Kithruwan Vithanage, Shehan Jayasuriya and right handed
Angelo Perera are tipped to don Sri Lanka cap with fast bowler Ishan
Jayaratne and left arm spinner Chathuranga de Silva in an excting game.
“We will look at the pitch tomorrow and pick the best combination to
win the match. Kithruwan, Angelo and Shehan will have a chance as
batsmen and all-rounder Chathuranga de Silva and Ishan Jayaratne will be
considered tomorrow,” said Sri Lanka’s youngest Twenty20 captain.
Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have played a solitary Twenty20 match at the
inaugural World Cup played at Wonderers Stadium, Johannesburg in 2007
where Sri Lanka won by 64 runs.
The tourists will strive hard to win the game after their morale
boosting three-wicket win in the rain-curtailed third ODI, played at
island nation’s hill capital on Thursday.
“It is a big opportunity for us to be competitive against them, the
No. 1 team in Twenty20s, and push for a win,” Mushfiqur said. “They are
without [Kumar] Sangakkara and [Tillekaratne] Dilshan, who have troubled
us all tour,” said Bangladesh skipper Mushfiqur Rahim.
Sri Lanka team (from): Dinesh Chandimal (captain), Lasith
Malinga (vc), Dilshan Munaweera, Kusal Janith Perera, Shehan Jayasuriya,
Kithruwan Vithanage, Jeevan Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Angelo Perera,
Lahiru Thirimanne, Chathuranga de Silva, Ishan Jayaratne, Thisara Perera,
Sachithra Senanayake, Ramith Rambukwella, Shaminda Eranga.
Bangladesh team (from): Mushfiqur Rahim (captain), Abdur
Razzak, Abdul Hasan, Anamul Haque, Jahurul Islam, Mahmudullah, Mohammad
Ashraful, Mominul Haque, Mosharraf Hossain, Nasir Hossain, Rubel Hossain,
Shamsur Rahman, Sohag Gazi, Ziaur Rahman, Nazmul Hossain. |
