The highly anticipated three-match T20I series between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh kicks off tonight at 7:00 PM under lights at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
Fresh off a successful tour so far, Sri Lanka enters the T20I series on a winning note, having clinched both the Test series (1-0) and the ODI series (2-1). That momentum puts the home side in a strong mental position heading into the shortest format, although recent T20 form tells a more complex story.
Sri Lanka has struggled in T20Is of late, winning only 5 of their last 13 matches. Notably, in the last T20 World Cup, a loss to Bangladesh resulted in an early exit for the islanders. On the other hand, Bangladesh has also found limited success, losing 11 of their last 15 T20I matches, including a series defeat to the UAE earlier this year.
The absence of Wanindu Hasaranga, ruled out due to a foot injury sustained during the third ODI, is a major blow to the Lankan lineup. Jeffrey Vandersay is expected to step in to fill that gap. Former captain Dasun Shanaka has been recalled and could feature prominently as an all-round option.
Sri Lanka’s squad features a potent pace attack with Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Binura Fernando, and Lahiru Kumara, while Maheesh Theekshana, Vandersay, and Dunith Wellalage handle spin duties. All-rounders Shanaka, Chamika Karunaratne, and Wellalage add further balance.
Bangladesh, led by Litton Das, comes in with questions over the captain’s form but boasts experience in their bowling unit with Shoriful Islam and Mohammad Saifuddin included in the squad.
With Sri Lanka set to co-host the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup, this series carries extra weight in shaping combinations and testing bench strength for both teams. For Bangladesh, a T20I series win on Sri Lankan soil—something they have never achieved—would mark a significant milestone.
Expect a high-intensity contest tonight as both teams aim to start strong in this pivotal T20I series.
Bangladesh (probable XI): 1 Tanzid Hasan, 2 Parvez Hossain Emon, 3 Litton Das (capt & wk), 4 Towhid Hridoy, 5 Shamim Hossain, 6 Jaker Ali, 7 Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 8 Tanzim Hasan, 9 Rishad Hossain, 10 Taskin Ahmed, 11 Mustafizur Rahman
Sri Lanka (probable XI): 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Kusal Mendis (wk), 3 Kusal Perera, 4 Avishka Fernando, 5 Charith Asalanka (capt), 6 Dasun Shanaka, 7 Dunith Wellalage/Chamika Karunaratne, 8 Wanindu Hasaranga, 9 Maheesh Theekshana/Jeffrey Vandersay, 10 Nuwan Thushara, 11 Matheesha Pathirana
