Dalaseb dress rehearsal starts with the match against Sri Lanka

Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will face each other in the T20 World Cup in Dallas on June 8. His dress rehearsal has started in Sylhet from today. 3-match T20 series is an opportunity to see and know the opponents of the world stage in more detail.

SBS Desk

March 04, 2024

1 minute

CRICKET

Dalaseb dress rehearsal starts with the match against Sri Lanka

On the day of the end of the Bangladesh Premier League, the cricketers have to put on the country's jersey, so it can be said that they are in the rhythm of T20. The only worry is around the captain. As much as BPL is an inspiration for others, for Nazmul Hossain Shanta, it is a disappointment.

The last season of BPL was a deathbed for Shanta. It is true that he scored the highest runs for Bangladesh in the T20 World Cup, but scoring 180 runs in 5 innings at an average of 36 and a strike rate of 114 is not a very big achievement. However, he played for the new franchise Sylhet Strikers in the 2023 BPL, scored 516 runs in the entire season and took Sylhet to the final without any famous foreign stars. Then Shanta ran throughout the year, except for 7 matches in the middle of the 2023 World Cup!

century to beat New Zealand for the first time at home in Tests, double century against Afghans; Shanta's year 2023 was wrapped in success. He became a father for the first time in his personal life. Shantar's fortune changed with the change of calendar? Captain of the national team, but not at the helm of the franchise. The BPL has been like a nightmare, Shanto could not hit a single six in 12 innings, totaling 175 runs.

So after sitting in the captain's chair at the press conference on Sunday, most of the questions came to him about individual performances. Regarding not getting runs, he said, 'Even if there is no captain, we have to score runs. There is no such thing as having to run separately if there is a captain. First of all I am a batsman. My job is to run while I bat. Then I will do what I have to do, on or off the field. Being a captain doesn't mean you have to do something different. I will try to fulfill my responsibility when I bat.

Shakib Al Hasan was suffering from eye problems since World Cup, he was also seen suffering in BPL. Shanta also suffered from throat problems throughout the BPL, but the skipper did not make that an excuse, "I don't think I am playing badly because of the throat." Of course there was some discomfort but that was not the reason. The last tournament was bad. I hope something good will happen in the future.' Shanto wants to start the World Cup preparation with the T20 series against Sri Lanka, 'Last year was good for us. Much improved than before. Improvements in other areas will see us doing well in any conditions against any team. Now it is very important that the players that we will play in the three editions, not just 15, but around 30-35 in the national team, how each of them can improve for the team from their respective positions. The work will be easy for me if everyone fulfills their responsibility.

Right after the BPL in 2023, Bangladesh defeated the world champions England in the T20 series. This time too, the same result is expected in the series with Sri Lanka, but there are also fears on the contrary of hope. Aviska Fernando, Dasun Shanaka played in BPL; Many foreigners who play in BPL say that the condition of Bangladesh is similar to Sri Lanka. So, even if there is a wave of T20, the chances of success are neutral.

Sri Lanka coach Chris Silverwood also sees Sylhet as a preparation stage for Dallas, "To be honest, we've played some great T20 matches to get to this stage. I hope that continues. I hope our game plan and hard work pay off as we continue to improve. May we improve as a team and each player as a player. We are a Sri Lankan team, we want to play like a Sri Lankan team.

As there are worries about the captain in the Bangladesh team, so is Sri Lanka. Regular captain Wanindu Hasaranga will not be able to play the first two T20Is due to suspension. Charith Asalanka will lead instead. Patum Nishanka and Dushmant Chamira are out of the squad due to injuries, Kushal Perera has returned to Bangladesh with a respiratory infection problem. He was replaced by Niroshan Dikela.

Bangladesh team's first international cricket match of 2024 is today. A very busy calendar year with the T20 World Cup, Test tours to India and Pakistan aplenty. New sponsor Ravi, new batting coach David Hemp, new bowling coach Andre Adams, new selection committee led by Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu... a lot of things started with this series. Shanta's journey also started as the announced captain of the three editions from the interim.