A full-strength Bangladesh will lock horns with a revamped Sri Lanka in the three-match ODI series, starting 23 May at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka. Tamim Iqbal’s men are yet to win a 50-over bilateral series against the visitors.
Bangladesh will welcome Shakib Al Hasan back in their line-up. Shakib, while serving a ban from the international circuit due to corruption charges, missed the limited-overs series against New Zealand and the Test tour of Sri Lanka. He will slot back in at No. 3, as Tamim confirmed. Tamim also warned against taking the relatively inexperienced Sri Lankan side lightly.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) had made a few bold moves while picking up their squad against Bangladesh. They have named Kusal Perera their new captain and Kusal Mendis his deputy. Additionally, they have dropped former skipper Dimuth Karunaratne, along with veterans Angelo Mathews and Lahiru Thirimanne. Ramesh Mendis or Chamika Karunaratne is likely to make their ODI debut on Sunday.
The series is a part of the ongoing ICC ODI World Cup Super League. Bangladesh are currently sixth in the league table, with three victories and three defeats. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, languish on twelfth, They are winless after three matches.
Head to Head:
Sri Lanka have played Bangladesh 48 times in ODIs, won 39, and lost 7.
Likely XIs:
Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal (c), Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mohammad Mithun, Mahmudullah, Mosaddek Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mohammad Saifuddin, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman.
Sri Lanka: Niroshan Dickwella, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Perera (c & wk), Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Isuru Udana, Lakshan Sandakan, Dushmantha Chameera.
Prediction: Bangladesh to win the contest.