Bangladesh's captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (right) and Sri Lanka's captain Wanindu Hasaranga posing with the T20 series trophy on Sunday ahead of the first match in Sylhet — BCB SYLHET, Bangladesh, Mar 03 (Agencies): Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said Sunday he wanted his team to use the three-match Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka to perfect the format ahead of the World Cup in June.
The series, which opens tomorrow (Monday) in Sylhet, marks the start of Sri Lanka's month-long tour of Bangladesh, which also includes three one-day internationals and two Tests.
Najmul said it was critical to "play as a team", noting that big wins last year were because "everyone contributed".
Bangladesh have never defeated Sri Lanka in a Twenty20 series.
Sri Lanka coach Chris Silverwood said he was expecting a "very competitive series between two good sides".
Bangladesh defeated world champions England 3-0 at home in 2023, and also won series against Ireland and Afghanistan, before drawing a three-match series 1-1 against New Zealand.
Najmul said he wanted to keep the momentum going into the World Cup, hosted this year by the United States and the West Indies.
"Last year, we did well in T20s, and I think we have improved in T20s," Najmul told reporters.
"If we can improve... then hopefully we will be able to compete with anyone in any condition."
Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are both in Group D for the World Cup, along with South Africa, Nepal and the Netherlands.
"It is very important that we play eight or 11 matches before going to the World Cup," Najmul said.
"If we take these matches... and decide how we want to play in the World Cup, then it will be easy to plan," he said.
The World Cup is a key focus of Sri Lanka too.
"Obviously, we're now in the build-up to what is an important competition in the World Cup," Silverwood said
"What we have to do... is concentrate on what's in front of us and remember what we're aiming for."
Bangladesh has faced Sri Lanka in T20s 13 times, but they have won only four games. Three of those wins were in Sri Lanka, with the other recorded in Bangladesh.
The second and third T20 matches will be held on March 6 and 9, both also at at the Sylhet International Stadium in Sylhet. All the matches of this series will begin at 6 pm After the T20 series, both teams will travel to Chattogram for a three-match ODI series.
This series will be broadcast live in Bangladesh by Gtv and T-Sports channels, along with Rabbithole and the T-Sports app
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