Sri Lanka not under any kind of pressure despite losing to Bangladesh - Sanath

Head coach Sanath Jayasuriya said on Tuesday that they are not under any kind of pressure despite being embarrassed by Bangladesh in the second Twenty20 International in Dambulla on Sunday.

Sri Lanka, who won the Test and ODI series, were defeated by 83 runs in the second T20I of the three-match series as they were bowled out for 94 runs inside 16 overs in an attempt to chase down 178.

“Not pressure as such. We need to play well. We have won the Test and ODI series and we need to finish off the T20s well. Players want to do well and we are working hard,” Jayasuriya told reporters on Tuesday.

“We need to bat well and long for by the top three. The bowlers are experienced enough and they know what to do. We have lot of experienced players and whoever who gets set needs to bat well,” he said.

“I don’t want to be under pressure all the time. This is too much. No one wants to be under pressure like this. It’s a challenge. It’s part of cricket. We did mistakes last game. We need to bounce back and it’s simple,” he said.

“Players know where we went wrong. Lot of people will be out here to see the game. Cricket loving public is trusting us and that’s the key. Everyone knows what to do and hopefully they will handle the pressure,” he said.

“[In] the second T20 we didn’t chase well. One of the top three guys has got to bat through to 15 overs. That didn’t happen. Overall I think we need more consistency from the batting unit. That is what we have told the boys. We need to do well in all three departments. Players know what their expectations,” he said.

The final match of the series is scheduled to get underway at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo this evening.

The final T20I will begin at 7:00 p.m.