Bangladesh look to tame Sri Lanka in ODI

Dambulla: After an intense Test series, that saw Bangladesh win their historic 100th Test whilst notching up their first-ever win over Sri Lanka, both teams are set to clash in the One-Day International series.

The first ODI will take place at the scenic Dambulla.

The ODI series will consist of three games that will act as an apt preparation for the much-awaited ICC Champions Trophy tournament in England.

Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are coming off damaging whitewashes in their last ODI assignments. Sri Lankan lost 5-0 against South Africa, while Bangladesh were routed 3-0 by New Zealand.

Upul Tharanga, who under his wings will have an exuberant side, will again rally Sri Lanka. The experienced Mashrafe Mortaza will marshal Bangladesh and enjoy the support of well-chanced team, on the other hand.

The batting line-up is filled with an array of talent on display. Niroshan Dickwella, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis and Asela Gunaratne make for an intimidating middle order at home.

Mendis, going through a rough patch, will be expected to churn out runs in batsmen friendly conditions. With Kusal Perera ruled out of the first-two ODIs, pressure will be on Dickwella to rise up and shine.

The bowling bears concern with Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara and Thisera Perera looking out of form. Much will depend on their spinning trio of Sachith Pathirana, Seekkuge Prassanna and Lakshan Sandakan.

On otherhand, Bangladesh, Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudullah and Sabbir Rahman would be under the scanner after their poor run of late. Mahmudullah and Sabbir struck 70’s in the warm-up game, which went in vain. Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan and Mortaza form the nucleus of the side.

Mortaza will spearhead the bowling attack in alliance with Taskin Ahmed, Subhashis Roy and Rubel Hossain.

Teams from

Sri Lanka: Upul Tharanga (Capt.), Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunathilaka, Suranga Lakmal, Asela Gunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Lahiru Kumara, Vikum Sanjaya, Thisara Perera, Sachith Pathirana, Seekkuge Prasanna, Lakshan Sandakan

Bangladesh: Mashrafe Mortaza (captain), Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Imrul Kayes, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Shakib Al Hasan, Sabbir Rahman, Mahmudullah, Mosaddek Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Subashis Roy, Sanjamul Islam, Shuvagata Hom, Nurul Hasan (wk), Mehedi Hasan.

Stats and trivia

• Sri Lanka hold an impregnable record against Bangladesh, winning 33 out of 38 games, losing just 4 and one game ending in a no-result.
• At home, Sri Lanka rule the roost, winning 14 out of 16, while losing just one.
• Sri Lanka are placed sixth in the ODI rankings, while Bangladesh are placed 7 points below them at seven, making this a mouth-watering affair.

Match facts
Saturday March 25, 2017 (d/n)
Start time: 14:30 local (09:00 GMT)