After losing their 1st ever Test against the touring Bangladeshis, Sri Lanka will start the 3 match ODI series between the two teams with something to prove. The visitors, on the other hand, will be the team coming into the series with more confidence, particularly after their show with the bat in the practice game in Colombo.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka will go into the game without regular skipper Angelo Mathews who is out with a calf injury and will be led by Upul Tharanga who took the reins in earlier this year against the South Africans. A 5-0 series whitewash by the Proteas will not be something the Lankans look on with any sort of fondness as the gulf between the teams was clear to be seen. This series is expected to be a more closely contested one, with Bangladesh having shown that they are capable of toppling the lions even in home conditions.
Thisara Perera, Kusal Janith Perera, Seekkuge Prasanna and Danushka Gunathilaka have all been recalled to the squad after having missed out in South Africa. All three have shown some good form in both the recently concluded series against the Lions as well as the Inter-District One Day tournament. Kusal Janith Perera however suffered an injury to his hamstring in the practice game against the Bangladeshis last evening, leaving the door open for Milinda Siriwardene’s return, at least for the 1st two ODIs.
Niroshan Dickwella is currently serving a match ban and will be unavailable for selection and it is expected that Dhanushka Gunathilake move to the opening slot alongside skipper Tharanga, with Kusal Janith Perera also not being available.
Nuwan Kulasekara, Sandun Weerakkody, Jefferey Vandersay, Chathuranga De Silva and Lahiru Madushanka are the ones who have missed out from the team that played South Africa.
Probable XI: Upul Tharanga, Dhanushka Gunathilake, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Asela Gunaratne, Dhananjaya De Silva, Thisara Perera, Seekkuge Prasanna/Sachith Pathirana, Lakshan Sandakan, Suranga Lakmal, Vikum Sanjaya
Bangladesh
Bangladesh have not played any ODIs this year but will come into the series with renewed confidence after their showing at the P Sara. The team’s last outing saw them lose 3-0 to New Zealand in New Zealand. Uncapped Sunzamul Islam and Shuvagata Hom have returned to the squad for the Tigers while Tanbir Hayder is the only man to miss out from the squad that toured New Zealand. Although not named in the initial 16 man squad, Mehedi Hasan has remained with the team in Colombo, no doubt due to the form he showed in the Tests. Mahmudullah, who was somewhat unexpectedly sent back home after the 1st Test will return for the ODIs
Probable XI: Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al-Hasan, Sabbir Rahman, Mahmudullah, Mashrafe Mortaza, Taskin Ahamed, Mustafizur Rahman, Mehedi Hasan, Mosaddek Hossain
Conditions
The 1st two games will be day-nighters at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium that is generally considered to favour the bowlers. The seamers should have some help from the pitch, particularly in the 2nd session of the game. The venue last hosted an international game in September of last year when Australia played 2 ODIs against the hosts, both of which Sri Lanka lost after having batted 1st.
