Tigers look to level series

Bangladesh will be desperate to level the three-match T20 international series when they take on Sri Lanka in the second match today at the Sylhet International Cricket stadium.

The match starts at 6:00pm, and T Sports and GTV will televise the tie live.

The hosts suffered a heartbreaking three-run defeat in the first match, despite a valiant effort from Jaker Ali Anik and veteran Mahmudullah.

Jaker’s 68 of 38 balls that kept the Tigers alive till the last over earned the plaudits, especially for its intent and sheer boldness.

He hit six sixes in his innings, which is the highest by not only a debutant batter but also the highest by a Bangladeshi batter in a T20 international match.

Despite the loss, Bangladesh captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto hoped that his team’s gritty performance would work as an inspiration in the second match to turn the series in their favour.

‘We started well with the ball but did not execute our plans later. Mahmudullah’s innings was amazing, along with Jaker’s, hope they contribute in the next match as well,’ said Shanto after the match.

Sri Lanka posted a respectable 206-3, but with dew around, the target was achievable. However, Bangladesh suffered a familiar top order collapse to be reduced to 30-3, which proved to be decisive in the defeat at the end.

The game could have finished much earlier had Mahmudullah and Jaker not resisted.

The first counter-attack came from Mahmudullah, who was playing his first T20I after a gap of two years.

The veteran struck 51 off 34 balls before Jaker took the Tigers to the brink. Dasun Shanaka then took two wickets, including Jaker, and defended 12 runs in the last over to deny the hosts the victory.