The Tigers want to clinch victory at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium. The venue has witnessed many of Bangladesh’s memorable wins. One of the most iconic came in the 2018 Nidahas Trophy, where Bangladesh pulled off an extraordinary win against Sri Lanka. With 6 runs needed off the last 2 balls, Mahmudullah Riyad smashed a six over cover off Udana on the fifth delivery, sealing an unbelievable victory for the Tigers.
At the same ground where Mahmudullah hit that match-winning six, Liton’s team is now set to face hosts Sri Lanka in what’s essentially an unofficial final. With both teams having won one match each in the three-match T20I series, the Premadasa encounter has become the series decider.
Perhaps that’s why Tigers’ assistant coach Mohammad Salahuddin is dreaming big at Premadasa. He believes that the momentum gained in Dambulla will inspire the team to play with confidence. “The way the boys played the last match, the team has gained good momentum. Everyone is confident. Hopefully, we’ll do well here (at Premadasa),” said Salahuddin.
Bangladesh lost the first match of the series in Pallekele. However, they bounced back in style by winning the second T20I at Dambulla’s Rangiri Stadium by a record 83 runs. In an all-round performance with both bat and ball, Liton’s men bowled out the hosts for just 94 runs.
In 19 T20I matches between the two sides, Bangladesh has won 7 while Sri Lanka has 12 wins. Interestingly, the Tigers have a better win percentage at Premadasa — winning 3 of the 4 matches played there against Sri Lanka, a 75% success rate.
Bangladesh has played a total of 7 T20Is at this venue, losing all 3 against India, but their highest-ever successful T20 chase also came here — when they chased down Sri Lanka’s 214/6 in the Nidahas Trophy with two balls to spare. Mushfiqur Rahim was the hero that night, remaining unbeaten on 72.
With two incredible wins at this venue in the past, assistant coach Salahuddin believes there’s little room for change in the playing XI today:
“There’s not much scope to change the XI because there’s no strong replacement outside the playing group. We’ll try to stick with the same plan. If the upper and middle order perform, we’ll have a good chance. We’ll play to our strengths.”
In the 83-run win at Dambulla, captain Liton Das and Shamim Hossain Patwary starred with the bat. Liton scored his first half-century in 13 matches, hitting 76 off 50 balls with 1 four and 5 sixes, earning the Player of the Match award. Shamim played a quickfire 48 off 27 balls. Salahuddin hopes that Zakir and Shamim can finish matches going forward:
“We want Zakir and Shamim to finish games. Shamim proved himself in the last match. He can play big innings from any position.”
So far in the Sri Lanka tour, Bangladesh has scored 3 centuries and 6 half-centuries. Despite this, assistant coach Salahuddin has faced heavy criticism over the batters’ inconsistency. It’s also reported that the BCB is searching for a world-class batting coach to replace him.
In response to this criticism, Salahuddin said:
“I’m a coach. Even if I’m asked to coach the Under-13 team, I wouldn’t mind. It’s not written anywhere that I can only coach the national team. I don’t have an ego problem about this. I’m not worried. Even if a batting coach is brought in, I hope it’s for the betterment of the team.”
He added with emotion:
“The Bangladesh team is not my ancestral property. If I don’t perform, I will be criticized — that’s something I must accept. If I do well, I’ll be praised. What matters most to me is whether I’m giving 100% to my team and being honest in my work.”
