DHAKA, March 12, 2024 (BSS)—Sri Lanka head coach Chris Silverwood didn’t mind about the tough rivalry between his side and Bangladesh which often crossed the limits.

Relations between the players of the two sides hasn’t been cordial since 2018 when a Bangladesh’s ‘Nagin Dance’ issue earned the wrath of the Sri Lankan players. The situation took further nosedive when Shakib Al Hasan inflicted a ‘Timed Out’ dismissal on Angelo Mathews, which Sri Lanka termed as anti spirit of cricket.

The Lankan players however brought out the ‘Timed Out’ celebration after winning the T20 series by 2-1 but the celebration this time earned Bangladesh players’ ire, a thing which Tigers captain Najmul Hossain Shanto hinted saying that the Lankan players should move on from this incident because Bangladesh inflicted the dismissal within the law of the cricket.

It is believed that the ‘Timed Out’ incident will loom large on ODI series also which will begin tomorrow (Wednesday) at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.

“The rivalry is obviously great. I think we need good competition. And as I said about the T20, it was two good sides and we're going to play some competitive cricket. I expect exactly the same again in this tournament, in this series. So that's what I'll be looking for, some strong cricket being played. And obviously both teams will be looking for the same, I should imagine,” Sri Lanka head coach Silverwood said in Chattogram.

The coach however believes the T20 series victory had given them the momentum which they are keen to carry in the ODI series.

“Obviously, we're going to take the series very seriously, as I'm sure both teams will. We're in a new cycle now, so we're again building towards a style of brand of cricket that we want to play in the next World Cup. And that's something that we're trying to invent within the team, and this again is part of that process of doing that. So that's exactly what we're trying to do,” he said.

“We're trying to continue the momentum that we've had from the series at home as well in Sri Lanka, where we played some fantastic cricket. And I'll be encouraging the guys to go out and do the same thing. So, the batsmen to go score big runs individually and as a team to put those big scores on the scoreboard. And we're asking the bowlers to keep producing their skills and keep getting better and better.”

Sri Lanka is still motivated to win the ODI series despite the fact that they couldn’t qualify to the ICC Champions Trophy. In fact defeat against Bangladesh in the World Cup, a match that was infamously famous for the ‘Timed Out’ dismissal, ruined their hopes.

But Silverwood said their strong desire to win the next World Cup keeps them motivated.

“We're still going to do the same things. Obviously, we want to win the next World Cup. We want to try and give ourselves the best possible chance of doing that. But that preparation has to start now. So that's exactly what we're doing. So, that's how we will be approaching this,” he remarked.

“I think the motivation is that you're playing for your country. I think you've seen on the field that there's two passionate teams playing for their countries. And I think putting on that jersey and you're representing your country is motivation enough. And that's exactly what we feel in our dressing room. So, the motivation is there. As I keep saying, we're building towards trying to win that World Cup and making sure we give ourselves the best opportunity to do so. So, we're going to continue to build our team in that fashion.