A keen tussle is expected today (23) in the day-and-night ODI series opener in Dhaka[/caption]
This will be Kusal Perera’s first assignment as Sri Lanka’s ODI Captain and so is for Kusal Mendis, who was appointed as his deputy just before the series.
Seniors such as Dimuth Karunaratne, Angelo Mathews, and Dinesh Chandimal are not playing as the national selectors, headed by Pramodya Wickramasinghe, are forming a policy of infusing young blood, targeting the ICC World Cup in 2023.
For Bangladesh, all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan makes a return. He will most likely replace Najmul Hossain Shanto, who has been dropped from their squad for the first two ODIs. The squad also excludes Al Amin Hossain, Hasan Mahmud, Rubel Hossain, and Nasum Ahmed, who were part of their previous New Zealand tour.
Both teams will be eyeing a series win to move their current placement in the ICC World Cup Super League, a pathway for 2023 World Cup qualification.
The last time both teams faced each other in an ODI series was in 2019 in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka won that time 3-0 in what was incidentally Lasith Malinga’s final ODI series.
“I will most probably keep wickets. (Niroshan) Dickwella playing in the final eleven is doubtful. The ongoing dispute on the player contracts, between the players and the board, does affect to us mentally. Players (also) have their concerns over having a fitness test while a series is on. The recent fitness test for is related to the ongoing series but the forthcoming England tour. The condition here is much hotter than we expected. The temperature is around 38-40 (degrees Celsius). Our bowling attack will most likely be three pacies, with one of them being an all-rounder, and two spinners. We hope to lift our fielding remarkably in the series and also to display a fearless brand of cricket,” said new Captain Perera.
Bangladesh (Probable XI):
1. Tamim Iqbal (Capt.), 2. Liton Das, 3. Shakib Al Hasan, 4. Mohammad Mithun, 5. Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 6. Mahmudullah, 7. Mehidy H. Miraz, 8. Mahedi Hasan, .9 Mohammad Saifuddin, 10. Taskin Ahmed, and 11. Mustafizur Rahman
Sri Lanka (Probable XI):
1. Kusal Perera (Capt./wk), 2. Danushka Gunathilaka, 3. Kusal Mendis, 4. Pathum Nissanka, 5. Dhananjaya de Silva, 6. Dasun Shanaka, 7. Ashen Bandara, 8. Wanindu Hasaranga, 9. Isuru Udana, 10. Lakshan Sandakan, and 11. Chamika Karunaratne