Sri Lanka chase a series clean sweep against rejuvenated Bangladesh. Decider at RPS in Colombo should be riveting. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports Editor).
Sri Lanka are making it a habbit of taking series deciders down to the wire, and today’s T20 series series is no different at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
There’s something about the missing killer instinct in Sanath Jayasuriya’s men that needs scrutiny and addressing, especially when they have established that they have the visitors against the ropes.
Bangladesh for their part, are looking for chinks they can penetrate and have pounced on every opportunity to try and swing the scales in their favour.
So today’s decider can certainly go either way as Sri Lanka have put themselves in a position of vulnerability and need a win to enhance their chances of qualifying for the bigger tournaments by climbing up the ranks.
They thrashed Bangladesh in Pallekelle, then collapsed in Dambulla to lose by 17 runs and now need to strengthen their grip and make it a clean sweep in the three format series.
Charith Asalanka will be hoping his batters find form as the team has been heavily reliant on Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis and himself to prop up the totals.
Some of the promising talent are inconsistent right now and this is a worrying trend that could expose them against stronger opposition.
Bangladesh have now settled and will be aiming to derail Sri Lanka’s hopes of a clean sweep so they can return home with something to crow about.
Asalanka’s men will need to stand up and deny the visitors of their aspirations.
It should be a riveting encounter.