Bangladesh will host Sri Lanka in the final ODI of the three-match series at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on Monday, March 18. Given their well-matched strengths, both teams will be willing to give it their best shot. However, it will not be easy for the hosts.
Bangladesh knows that the conditions will come in handy for them, but they will try to ensure they do not take things lightly. But, Sri Lanka knows that its batters can attack the opposition and challenge them despite needing to learn the conditions better. Bangladesh has many young players in its lineup.
The fact is that both teams are well-matched with each other, given that they are both heavy on spin. However, Sri Lanka have a host of top-quality fast bowlers in their lineup. This should allow them to bring the Bangladeshi batters out of their comfort zones and push, instead for a result in the dry and dusty surface in Chattogram.
Predicted Teams
Bangladesh: Litton Das (wk), Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan, Taijul Islam, Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib.
Sri Lanka: Avishka Fernando, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (c and wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Pramod Madushan, Lahiru Kumara, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka.
Key Players
Litton Das (Bangladesh): Although the opener has not scored many runs in the tournament so far, he needs just one good innings to turn things around for himself and his team. He is a brilliant stroke-maker and can be expected to score runs freely without battling too much of an eyelid regarding the asking rates.
Dilshan Madushanka (Sri Lanka): Left-arm seamer Dilshan Madushanka has been the X-factor for Sri Lanka throughout the series. Plenty of things can be expected of him in this game as well. He is known to take the ball away from the southpaws in the Bangladeshi lineup while bringing the ball back into the right-handers.
Match Prediction
Bangladesh have a massive advantage over Sri Lanka in this game, given their early start in the series. The home team knows these conditions well and can be expected to use their spinners wisely. It will be challenging for Sri Lanka to compete with their opponents in this game. This will be a balanced encounter.
