Tigers seek redemption
There will be no Shakib Al Hasan for tomorrow's second and final T20I as the selectors announced a 16-member squad unchanged from the one chosen for the first T20I as both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka reached Sylhet, the venue for the final game, yesterday.
Despite posting their highest T20I total of 193 for five the Tigers were outplayed by the Lankans, whose highest successful chase in the shortest format produced a to 1-0 lead in the tour-ending series.
Nothing seems to be going right for the home side and this time it was the bowling that let the Tigers down on a pitch which had very little for the bowlers. Despite the unhelpful surface, Bangladesh's bowlers were unable to apply any sort of pressure and bowled a poor line and length which allowed the Sri Lankan batsmen to chase the huge target without any difficulties. Skipper Mahmudullah Riyad also focused on the bowlers missing their lengths after the loss.
Only left-arm spinner Nazmul Islam among the four debutants – the other three being Zakir Hasan, Afif Hossain and Ariful Haque -- was able to make an impact in the game as he managed to keep the Sri Lankan batsmen quiet in his four overs that conceded just 25 runs for two wickets.
Young all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin is once again in hot water after the medium-pacer gave away 33 runs from his two overs while the bowling figures of Mustafizur Rahman and Rubel Hossain were also below average.
The Bangladesh think tank must look to correct their mistakes to take something after losing both the tri-nation ODI and two-match Test series.
There are few options in the bowling department. Local boy and fast bowler Abu Jayed is the frontrunner to make a debut tomorrow.
Musfhfiqur Rahim recovered from a wrist problem to play the first T20I and, batting at number three for the first time, registered his highest score in the format with an unbeaten 66 off 44 balls. Tamim Iqbal was however unable to play due to a niggle on his left bicep but the good news is that the left-hander is expected to return to the playing eleven tomorrow.
Another bright aspect from the defeat was the strong comeback of Soumya Sarkar, with the stylish opener smashing his maiden T20I fifty in his first match back in the national setup after being dropped from the ODI and Test squads following the South Africa tour.
Even with Tamim's return, the home side will definitely miss theit most experienced T20 player in Shakib, who was unable to recover from a left little finger injury sustained during the final of the tri-series last month.
