Dallas, June 6 (Reporter) The cricketing spotlight is firmly on Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas this Saturday as Bangladesh gears up to launch their T20 World Cup campaign against Sri Lanka. The match, scheduled to start at 6 AM India time, holds significant stakes for both teams as they strive to assert their dominance early in the tournament. Despite recent setbacks, Bangladesh remains optimistic about their chances, especially in light of Sri Lanka's dismal performance against South Africa. Sri Lanka's struggles on a slower pitch resulted in their dismissal for a mere 77 runs, providing a morale boost for Bangladesh. Historically, Bangladesh has a respectable record against Sri Lanka in T20 Internationals, winning five out of 16 encounters. This historical edge adds a layer of confidence as they prepare for this crucial match. The road to the World Cup has been anything but smooth for Bangladesh. Their pre-tournament performance has been marred by disappointing outcomes, including a series loss to the USA, an associate nation, and a lackluster showing against India in a practice game. These results have raised questions about their ability to advance in the tournament. However, the team is determined to put these setbacks behind them and focus on their upcoming matches with renewed vigor. Bangladesh might be buoyed by the return of fast bowler Taskin Ahmed, who missed the series against the USA and practice matches due to a side strain injury. However, they face the setback of losing left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam, who injured his bowling hand during the practice game against India. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto is rallying his team to concentrate on the present and execute their strategies with bravery. "We are not thinking about what has happened before. We know how capable we are; we have to be brave and execute our plans," Shanto stated. Veteran batsman Mahmudullah Riyad emphasized the importance of a strong start. "Everything relies on how we start the tournament. We need to have a good start. I believe if we make a good start, we'll go a long way," he said. Bangladesh is drawn in Group D, which features formidable teams like South Africa, Nepal, and the Netherlands, in addition to Sri Lanka. To advance to the Super 8 stage, Bangladesh needs to secure victories against higher-ranked teams such as Sri Lanka and South Africa. The team’s past success against Sri Lanka in T20 Internationals—having secured the highest number of wins against them among top-ranked teams—serves as an additional source of confidence. On the other hand, Sri Lanka is under significant pressure to perform. Captain Wanindu Hasaranga remains confident in his team’s ability to handle the stress and deliver a strong performance against Bangladesh. A loss to Bangladesh would complicate Sri Lanka's path forward in the tournament, making this match crucial for their campaign. With both teams keen on proving themselves, the clash at Grand Prairie Stadium promises to be an intense and closely fought encounter. Bangladesh, aiming to defy the odds, is ready to make a statement in the T20 World Cup, while Sri Lanka looks to bounce back from their initial setback and reaffirm their standing in the competition. Squads Bangladesh: Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Taskin Ahmed, Litton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Shakib Al Hasan, Tawhid Hridoy, Mahmud Ullah Riyad, Jaker Ali Anik, Tanvir Islam, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib. Traveling reserves: Afif Hossain, Hasan Mahmud. Sri Lanka: Wanindu Hasaranga (c), Charith Asalanka, Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Kamindu Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Dilshan Madushanka...////...