Bangladesh is aiming to secure a series victory and enhance their readiness for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup as they gear up to take on Sri Lanka in the first match of the three-game WT20I series at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. However, there is a potential threat of rain that could disrupt the proceedings.
The home team enters the series following a 2-1 loss in the previous WODI series. Despite winning the opening match and raising hopes of a debut series triumph against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh couldn’t sustain their momentum and ended up losing the last two games.
With no history of triumphing over Sri Lanka in a bilateral series, Bangladesh now has a fresh chance to break that pattern in the shortest format of the game.
In WT20I encounters, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have faced off 13 times, with Bangladesh emerging victorious in only three matches compared to Sri Lanka’s 10 wins.
However, the looming rain threat might intervene during the match, as the forecast predicts a high chance of showers over the next week.
Speaking to the press in Sylhet, skipper Nigar Sultana Joty emphasized the importance of this series for the team’s preparations leading up to the World Cup. She acknowledged the significance of playing at home and highlighted the crucial role these matches will play in evaluating their readiness for the global tournament.
Responding to criticism about her strike rate, particularly in the last match, Joty defended her approach, stating that she aims to contribute effectively to the team’s success by adapting to match situations and scoring at a better pace.
On the other side, Sri Lanka’s captain Chamari Athapaththu sees this series as a vital opportunity for their final preparations before the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to take place in England and Wales later this year. She noted the similarities between the conditions in Sylhet and England, highlighting the significance of this series as their sole international engagement before the tournament.
Acknowledging Bangladesh’s progress in recent years, Chamari praised their development and expressed optimism about both teams showcasing their best cricket in front of the local crowd.
