Bangladesh will host Sri Lanka in the first ODI of the three-match series. The two teams will play at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram. After losing the T20I series by a 1-2 scoreline, Bangladesh will try to beat Sri Lanka. They want to show the home crowd what they are made of.
Sri Lanka know that they cannot challenge but also pick up a win over Bangladesh in this game. Players like Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana will try to make a difference. Bangladesh will likely rely on their top-order batters.
Bangladesh will rely heavily on the surface, which is known to assist spinners. Although Sri Lanka, too, has many top-quality spinners on its team, Bangladesh is not shortsighted in that department either. Bangladesh will likely put up a stellar showing and challenge Sri Lanka in all three departments: batting, bowling, and fielding.
Predicted Teams
Bangladesh: Anamul Haque, Litton Das (wk), Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Soumya Sarkar, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Mahedi Hasan, Taijul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Rishad Hossain.
Sri Lanka: Avishka Fernando, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga (c), Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka.
Key Players
Najmul Hossain Shanto (Bangladesh): Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto is one of the key batters, and he will have to play well to take his team to a big total in this game. Walking in at number three, Shanto knows how to rotate the strike well and play expansive shots.
Kusal Mendis (Sri Lanka): Fresh from a stunning showing in the final T20I in Sylhet, wicketkeeper-batten Kusal Mendis obviously hopes to showcase his skills in the ODI series. He looks like the most experienced batter in the lineup and must take responsibility for leading his team.
Match Prediction
Sri Lanka are the overwhelming favourites to win this game despite being the visitors. Bangladesh know these conditions will help them, but their players will need to turn up in Chattogram. Sri Lanka is likely to attack Bangladesh with their spinners. Yet, the hosts must be ready for every challenge.
