In limited-overs cricket, wicket-keeper batsman Liton Das doesn't see much difference between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. However, in this condition, he believes that Tigers are a very good team in the familiar yard. The opener wants to play smart cricket on the field.
"Sri Lanka is equal to our team, they play well in white-ball cricket. We have to play smart cricket, we have to be ready to make the game our own. Then there will be a good chance to succeed” said Liton on Monday before Eid vacation.
Bangladesh's three-match series against Sri Lanka will commence on May 23. Preparations are underway for the series as part of the ICC Cricket World Cup Super League.
The results of the first two series of Bangladesh in this campaign to get a direct place in the 2023 World Cup were different. Bangladesh whitewashed the West Indies at home last January as they get the same taste against hosts New Zealand in March, where they whitewashed by the Kiwis 3-0.
All three matches of the Sri Lanka series are at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Mirpur, where everything is very close to the team. Liton said success would be achieved only if the cricketers could perform their part properly.
“We are very good at white-ball cricket. Especially when we play in home conditions, at the home of cricket, we are a much better team. Honestly, those who are playing now, are all slowly becoming mature and many have already become. Now it is important to play their role individually. If everyone can implement whatever role they have in the team, it is possible to lose any team” Liton added
Meanwhile, Ryan Cook, the fielding coach for the Bangladesh national team, is expected to be unavailable for Bangladesh's ODI home series against Sri Lanka later this month. Cook is the second member of the Bangladesh cricket team's management not to play in the series, following pace bowling coach Ottis Gibson.
Cook took time off to care for his pregnant partner, who is experiencing physical difficulties. The Bangladesh Cricket Board approved Cook’s leave application and the former South Africa cricketer will leave Dhaka Tuesday.
“His wife is pregnant and they are expecting any time now. There is a bit of complication for which he had to return to his wife. We have approved his leave application and hope he will be with us during the tour of Zimbabwe in June,” informed BCB cricket operations committee chairman Akram Khan to the media Monday.
Meanwhile, after completing Bangladesh's tour of Sri Lanka earlier this month, pace bowling coach Gibson took a leave of absence. The former West Indies cricketer took leave to spend some time with his family and will join work for the tour of Zimbabwe in June.
Bangladesh are set to host Sri Lanka for a three-match ODI series later this month.
