Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will battle it out in the first One-Day International (ODI) of the three-match series in Colombo on Friday. In the previous five meetings in the 50-over format, both teams have emerged victorious twice with one draw. R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo will be the venue for the contest, which will be hosting its 129 ODI on Friday. Highest team score of 375-5 was registered by India while playing against Sri Lanka in 2017, whereas lowest team total of 86 was registered by the Netherlands while also playing against the home side in 2002. Highest individual score of 169 in a 50-over contest at the ground was scored by former Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batsman Kumara Sangakkara in 2013 whereas best bowling figures of 6-20 was registered by Mathews in 2009.
For the home side, the game is all about veteran pacer Lasith Malinga who will be playing his final match in the 50-over format, therefore, his teammates will be hoping the give the legendary pacer a fitting farewell. In the batting department, the Islanders will be depending on the likes of captain Dimuth Karunaratne, wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Perera, experienced Lahiru Thirimanne and veteran right-hander Angelo Mathews to score the bulk of the runs, whereas on the bowling front, the onus will be on the likes of pacers Malinga, Thisara Perera and off-spinner Akila Dananjaya to produce timely breakthroughs.
On the other hand, for Bangladesh, the series will be an opportunity to continue their momentum in white-ball cricket
Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will battle it out in the first One-Day International (ODI) of the three-match series in Colombo on Friday. In the previous five meetings in the 50-over format, both teams have emerged victorious twice with one draw. R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo will be the venue for the contest, which will be hosting its 129 ODI on Friday. Highest team score of 375-5 was registered by India while playing against Sri Lanka in 2017, whereas lowest team total of 86 was registered by the Netherlands while also playing against the home side in 2002. Highest individual score of 169 in a 50-over contest at the ground was scored by former Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batsman Kumara Sangakkara in 2013 whereas best bowling figures of 6-20 was registered by Mathews in 2009.
For the home side, the game is all about veteran pacer Lasith Malinga who will be playing his final match in the 50-over format, therefore, his teammates will be hoping the give the legendary pacer a fitting farewell. In the batting department, the Islanders will be depending on the likes of captain Dimuth Karunaratne, wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Perera, experienced Lahiru Thirimanne and veteran right-hander Angelo Mathews to score the bulk of the runs, whereas on the bowling front, the onus will be on the likes of pacers Malinga, Thisara Perera and off-spinner Akila Dananjaya to produce timely breakthroughs.
On the other hand, for Bangladesh, the series will be an opportunity to continue their momentum in white-ball cricket after an impressive time during the recently concluded World Cup. However, the visitors will be without three of their key players including regular captain Mashrafe Mortaza and veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan. In the batting department, the team will be relying on the likes of stand-in captain Tamim Iqbal, wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim, veteran all-rounder Mahmudullah and opener Soumya Sarkar to score the bulk of the runs, whereas on the bowling front, the onus will be on the likes of pacers Taskin Ahmed, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman and off-spinner Mehidy Hasan to provide timely breakthroughs.
Player Recommendations:
Batsman: Tamim Iqbal (10 Cr)
Tamim Iqbal is Bangladesh's most successful batsman in the country's ODI history. The left-hander had a pretty average World Cup according to his high standards and he will be eager to turn things around in the upcoming three-match series.
Wicketkeeper: Mushfiqur Rahim (11 Cr)
Mushfiqur Rahim is being termed as one of the best wicketkeeper-batsman across all formats. The 32-year-old has had an outstanding time with the bat in hand during the World Cup, scoring 403 runs in nine matches at an average of 50.37 and with a strike-rate of 96.41.
All-rounder: Thisara Perera (8.5 Cr)
Thisara Perera is an experienced campaigner in the 50-over format. The 30-year-old has represented Sri Lanka in 160 ODIs, where he has scored 2,208 runs and also has 171 wickets to his name.
Bowler: Lasith Malinga (9 Cr)
Lasith Malinga is one of the most decorated fast-bowler in the 50-over format. The right-arm pacer has represented Sri Lanka in 225 matches, where he has 335 wickets to his name at a strike-rate of 32.40 and with an economy-rate of 5.36.
Predicted Playing XI:
Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne (captain), Kusal Perera (wicketkeeper), Lahiru Thirimanne, Niroshan Dickwella, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Mendis, Thisara Perera, Isuru Udana, Akila Dananjaya, Nuwan Pradeep, Lasith Malinga
Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal (captain), Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim (wicketkeeper), Sabbir Rahman, Mosaddek Hossain, Mahmudullah, Farhad Reza, Mehidy Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman
