Online Desk: Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bowl first in the first match of the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka on Monday in Sylhet.

This match is the first international contest when Najmul Hossain Shanto is leading Bangladesh in his tenure as the full-time captain.

In the last five matches, when these two teams contested, Sri Lanka won three matches and Bangladesh two. Historically, Sri Lanka was a tough opponent for Bangladesh, but in recent years, Bangladesh offered some tight competition to the Lankan Lions.

Ahead of the first match, Sri Lanka’s coach, Chris Silverwood, said they feel that they are at a better place as a team in this series. However, he also mentioned that tough competition is expected.

Bangladesh handed the T20I cap to Jaker Ali in this match. He was added to the team after Aliss Islam suffered an injury and was ruled out of the squad. Jaker is expected to play as a middle-order batter, as Najmul hinted earlier.

Bangladesh fielded a team with three pacers— Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, and Shoriful Islam— with a leg-spinner, Rishad Hossain. Mahmudullah Riyad is also back to the playing XI.

Bangladesh XI: Soumya Sarkar, Litton Das (wk), Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali, Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman

Sri Lanka XI: Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (captain), Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana, Akila Dananjaya, Binura Fernando, Matheesha Pathirana.