Tigers eye end to abysmal run

GBNEWS24 DESK//

Bangladesh will be looking to seal their first victory across formats since January when they take on Sri Lanka in the first of a three-match ODI series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur today.

The day-night contest is scheduled to start at 1:00pm. The second and third ODIs are scheduled for May 25 and 28 respectively and will be played at the same venue at the same time.

The Tigers have been in an abysmal run of form, with their last victory coming against West Indies at home in an ODI in January this year. Since then, Bangladesh played four Tests (two against West Indies at home and two away to Sri Lanka), three ODIs and three T20Is against New Zealand and have lost all the matches except the one drawn Test against Sri Lanka in Pallekele last month.

The Tigers have missed a few key players during this period. Premier all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan skipped the New Zealand tour to attend the birth of his third child while he and with left-arm paceman Mustafizur Rahman were excused from national duty during Tigers’ latest two-Test tour of Sri Lanka to take part in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

However, with the IPL being suspended midway earlier this month, both Shakib and Mustafizur are now available for the Sri Lanka ODIs, lending better balance and strength to the squad.

The Tamim Iqbal-led side could also eye the ICC Cricket World Cup Super League summit as a series win could see them go top of the ladder. The men in red and green currently sit sixth but only trail top-placed England by 10 points. A 2-1 series win would lift them to 50 points, 10 above than England, Pakistan and Australia, who all have 40 points.

And playing in their favorite format at home against a Sri Lankan side missing a number of senior players under the new leadership of Kusal Perera, this may be a golden opportunity for the Tigers to turn their fate around.