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Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, 1st ODI at Dambulla: Likely XIs for both teams

Bangladesh are all set to lock horns with hosts Sri Lanka in the first ODI at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium.

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© Getty Images
© Getty Images

Bangladesh are all set to lock horns with hosts Sri Lanka in the first One-Day International (ODI) at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. The teams recently faced each other in the Test series, which ended in a draw (1-1). This will be Bangladesh’s first ODI since series after the New Zealand tour, while Sri Lanka last played an ODI against South Africa at the latter’s home. Before the two sides kick off the limited-overs series, here are the likely XIs for both with which they might opt to take the field with. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh, 1st ODI

 

Top order: Tamim Iqbal will start things off with Soumya Sarkar. Though the team has the option of Imrul Kayes, Sarkar performed well in the recently concluded Test series, which might keep him ahead of Kayes, who had failed in the same. Tamim is the highest run-getter for Bangladesh across formats and, with both these players, the opening pair will be strong enough to give them a good start. At No. 3 will be another talented batsman Sabbir Rahman. Sabbir has been scoring runs consistently in the recent past and will be expected to do justice to the coveted No. 3 position.

Captain Upul Tharanga is expected to open for Sri Lanka with Niroshan Dickwella. Dickwella batted well in the Test series and will be expected to carry forward that form. However, Tharanga has not been up to the mark and will be expected to pull off an inspiring knock to lead the team from front. Kusal Mendis, who bats at No. 3 for Sri Lanka, had a successful Test series and scored a double-century. A lot of hopes will be on this batsman to score big for Sri Lanka.

Middle order: Wicketkeeper batsman Mushfiqur Rahim will come out to bat at No. 4. He has had a consistent season so far, and will be a pillar of the Bangladesh’s middle order; the other being Shakib Al Hasan who follows him at No. 5. Then comes all-rounder Mahmudullah. However, the player has not been successful in Sri Lanka so far, and the ODI series will be his chance to make amends. With his recent performances, Mosaddek Hossain is sure to earn the No. 7 spot. He has been comfortable batting down the order and scoring runs in abundance. Mehedi, who has been more effective with the ball, has also shown his skills with the bat in Tests and will be expected to pull off some heroics given the chance in ODIs batting as No. 8.

Dinesh Chandimal will be one of the biggest names in the Sri Lankan middle order. The batsman announced his comeback in international cricket with a handy half-century in the second Test against Bangladesh, and the ODIs will test him even more. Following him comes out Sri Lanka’s latest limited-overs hero Asela Gunaratne.

Gunaratne scored a century in his last ODI encounter and guided the side to victory in the Twenty20 International (T20I) series in Australia with his consistent batting. At No. 6, Dhananjaya de Silva will come out to bat. Sachith Pathirana will follow him at No. 7 and will be expected to replicate his performance in the fifth ODI against South Africa, where he scored a half-century.

Bowlers: Skipper Mashrafe Mortaza will lead the charge for Bangladesh’s pace bowling, accompanied by Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed. However, this forces the team to leave out another talented option Subhashis Roy. Shakib will lead the spin attack, while Mehedi will be the big name to watch out for. Mosaddek and Mahmudullah will be the other options.

Suranga Lakmal and Lahiru Kumara will lead the Sri Lankan pace attack, while Vikum Sanjaya can be their third choice pacer. Lakshan Sandakan will play as the specialist spinner with Pathirana and de Silva.

Likely XIs:

Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Sabbir Rahman, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah, Mosaddek Hossain, Mehedi Hasan, Mashrafe Mortaza (c), Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed.

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

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