Unchanged Tigers squad named for second Sri Lanka T20I

Despite a six-wicket loss against Sri Lanka in the first T20I Thursday, the Bangladesh Cricket Board named an unchanged 15-member squad for the second and final T20I, scheduled to be held at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium Sunday. Mahmudullah will continue to lead the side in the absence of T20I captain Shakib al Hasan, who is recovering from a finger injury incurred during the tri-nation ODI series final against the Lankans last month. Opener Tamim Iqbal, who missed the first T20I due to pain in his biceps, was included in the squad. The Tigers, who handed debuts to four cricketers in the first T20I, decided to keep faith with the quartet in the shape of Zakir Hasan, Afif Hossain, Nazmul Islam Apu and Ariful Haque. Among the quartet, left-arm spinner Nazmul was the most impressive performer, taking two wickets in his quota of four overs, conceding only 25 runs.

Bangladesh lost the first T20I against Sri Lanka by 6 wickets.#BANvSL pic.twitter.com/BSghyK15XQ

— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) February 15, 2018

Opener Zakir might have been dismissed for a nine-ball 10 but he featured in a brilliant 49-run opening stand with the left-handed batsman Soumya Sarkar. Middle-order batsman Ariful was not out on a run-a-ball one while all-rounder Afif bowled two overs, giving away 26 runs for the wicket of player of the match Kusal Mendis. Both the teams travelled to Sylhet Friday. The second and final T20I starts at 5pm. The home side will be looking to end the series on a high after conceding defeats in the tri-series final and two-match Test series against the Lankans.SquadMahmudullah (C), Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim, Sabbir Rahman, Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Saifuddin, Abu Haider, Abu Jayed, Ariful Haque, Mehedi Hasan, Zakir Hasan, Afif Hossain and Nazmul Islam Apu