BAN vs SL, 2nd T20I | Playing 11 Prediction, Cricket Tips, Preview & Live Streaming

Hasaranga and Najmul Hossain Shanto posing with the trophy (X.com)

Bangladesh strive to make amends for their gut-wrenching loss in the thrilling opening T20I against Sri Lanka with a victory in the penultimate game of the three-match series on Wednesday (March 6). 

The Bangla Tigers lost the first bout by just three runs and desperately need a win to secure series parity, besides setting up a decider to be played in Sylhet. For the Lankan Lions, it's a chance to show their win in the opening game of the tour was no fluke, and they are the better of the two sides.

BAN vs SL: Team Previews 

Bangladesh 

A poor display with the ball came back to haunt the spirited Bangladeshis as they conceded a massive first-innings score of 206/3 in their 20 overs, with the experienced pace pairing of Mustafizur Rahman (0/42) and Taskin Ahmed (1/40) struggling the most.

Like with the ball, key players such as Litton Das (0), Soumya Sarkar (12), and skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto (20) failed, and that meant even when a pair of aggressive half-centuries from Mahmudullah (54) and Jaker Ali (68) revived the team, the Bangladeshis still fell short of the finish line.

Sri Lanka 

The Lankan Lions would've been relieved to have overcome the pressure of the 20th over where experienced allrounder and former skipper Dasun Shanaka (2/32) proved to be the saviour for his team and defended the 12 runs that Bangladesh required for victory.

Earlier in the game, fellow allrounder Angelo Mathews (2/17) and wrist-spinner Maheesh Theekshana (1/32) provided the tourists great substance with the ball and made sure Bangladesh couldn't ever get on top of the opposition.

The trio of Kusal Mendis (56), Sadeera Samarawickrama (61*), and Charith Asalanka (44*) were also highly influential to Sri Lanka's cause and helped the team post a daunting first-innings score in conditions where the team needed extra cover for their bowling act.

BAN vs SL: Match Details & Live Streaming

BAN vs SL: Sylhet Pitch Report

The pitch in Sylhet has been renowned for being a rare Bangladeshi track with an extra bit of pace and bounce, which helps batters get on top of the ball and back their strokes to fetch maximum results. A pattern of high-scoring fixtures is likely to continue between these two sides at the venue, with the under light dew also playing the role of an ally to the batters from either team. 

BAN vs SL: Probable Playing XIs

Bangladesh: Soumya Sarkar, Litton Das (wk), Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali, Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman

Sri Lanka: Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (c), Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana, Akila Dananjaya, Binura Fernando, Matheesha Pathirana

BAN vs SL: Fantoss Fantasy Tips 

BAN vs SL: Winner Prediction

Bangladesh would do well to remind themselves they were very close to securing a win in the first game and remain favourites in home conditions against this Sri Lankan side.