DHAKA: Nidahas Trophy Triangular T20 Series Played At Premadasa Stadium Colombo

Sri Lanka 175/5 ( MDKJ Pererra 66 in 37 balls, NLTC Pererra 22*, Washinton Sundar 2/28, YS Chahal 2/37) beat India 174/4 (S Dhawan 90 in 49 Balls, MK Pandey 37, RR Pant 23, PVD Chammera 2/33) by 5 wickets 

Many agree that the first power play set the tone of the inaugural match of the Nihadas Triangular T20 series. Sri Lanka as part of celebration of 70th independence has organized the tournament inviting its two SAARC neighbors. Host Sri Lanka appeared against a depleted Indian team with several key players resting. 

Home side looking hungry preyed upon India handing them a 5 wicket defeat. Put to bat India could master a competitive 174/5 in allotted overs. Home side with 9 balls to spare won by 5 wickets scoring 175/5. India in its first 6 overs power play could score 45/2. 

Lankans blasted depleted Indian attack blasting 75/2. Kushal Pererra inspired Lankan avalanche in the power play set the momentum which middle order kept going. His 66 in only 37 deliveries upset the new look bowling attack. Pererra was prolific in aggression striking as many as four sixes and six fours in his match winning innings. 

Earlier a brilliant aggressive innings of 90 (his highest in T20 International) failed work in India’s favor. Lankans went on scoring 75/2 in the first 6 overs a difference of 30. Finally other Pererra and Tharanga keeping their cool took home team across. They won by 5 wickets with 9 balls to spare.

Home side appears to be regrouping to a quality team after remaining a bit uncertain for a while. Several quality young players have started delivering. It evidence the strength of the domestic cricket and quality of players in the pipeline .Now they have Chandika Hathurusinghe masterminding them.
This win put the home side in driving seat. India must win tomorrow against Bangladesh which may not be as easy as few may anticipate. Bangladesh definitely has resources in batting and bowling to strangle a desperate India.

Now the question is who will do what Kushal did? Tamim appeared to be in prolific form in PSL after a bit uncertain in the last stage of the home series against Sri Lanka. The talented dashing opener has the quality to blast this Indian attack. But in absence of Shakib he has to try and bat as long as possible for putting up a competitive score. I am unsure whether a very indifferent Soumya will be right choice as his partner. I am not sure also Kayes is an ideal T20 player. This leaves Liton (last minute replacement of Shakib) as opening partner of Tamim. 

Sabbir at number three will be great risk. If Bangladesh can have a good opening partnership Mushfique may be ideal for number three in the given situation as the best technically equipped batsman in the team must play more balls in the shorter version. Bangladseh will definitely miss its best number three option Mominul. Mahmudullah can bat at number four leaving Sabbir, Ariful and Nurul Hasan batting at 5, 6 and 7. Mehedi Miraj, Mustafiz, Rublel/Taskin and Rony/Rahi can fill the other positions.

Bangladesh definitely has the capability of winning against this or full strength Indian team if they can only play to their potential. But they must play to a plan. They must put their inconsistent performance in the immediate past behind them. A win tomorrow would put Bangladesh also in good stead in the tournament.

BDST: 1458 HRS, MAR 7, 2018
SI