Preview: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka T20 cricket series

South Asian rivals meet in a three-match T20 series after a string of hotly-contested encounters in the recent past.

Two South Asian nations are set to resume their heated cricket rivalry with a Twenty20 three-match series as they eye the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

Bangladesh and Sri Lanka – not India and Pakistan – will play the first match T20 series in Sylhet, Bangladesh on Monday, less than three months ahead of cricket’s showpiece event of the year.

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said on Sunday that he wants his team to use the series to perfect the format ahead of the World Cup in June.

The series marks the start of Sri Lanka’s month-long tour of Bangladesh, which also includes three one-day internationals and two Tests.

Shanto said it was critical to “play as a team”, noting that they bagged big wins last year when “everyone contributed”.

Bangladesh defeated world champions England 3-0 at home in 2023, and also won series against the Republic of Ireland and Afghanistan, before drawing a three-match series 1-1 against New Zealand.

Shanto 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,” he told reporters.

“It is very important that we play eight or 11 matches before going to the World Cup.

“If we take these matches… and decide how we want to play in the World Cup, then it will be easy to plan.”

The World Cup is a key focus of Sri Lanka, too.

Sri Lanka coach Chris Silverwood said he was expecting a “very competitive series between two good sides”.

“Obviously, we’re now in the build-up to what is an important competition in the World Cup,” he said.

“What we have to do … is concentrate on what’s