Sri Lanka and Bangladesh meet each other in the second ODI of the three-match series at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Saturday, July 5. Sri Lanka won the first match and took a 1-0 lead. If they win this match, they will win the series as well.
Bangladesh need to respond quickly to all the challenges sent their way, and ensure that they do not fall by the wayside when the Lankan bowlers do their job. Bangladesh’s batters must live up to their billing in this match as it is a do-or-die encounter for them. In the first ODI, the Bangladeshi batters did not turn up at all, and this led to them collapsing in a heap.
While the Lankan bowlers made good use of the conditions in Colombo, Bangladesh’s batters could have applied themselves better. Bangladesh also lost the Test series 0-1 before coming into the one-day leg of this tour, and this will weigh heavily on their minds.
Openers Parvez Hossain and Tanzid Hasan must take up the responsibility of getting their team off to a good start, while senior batter Najmul Hossain Shanto needs to be prepared to anchor his side. Sri Lanka appear to have covered most of their bases ahead of this game, and may turn to some youngsters on their side for good performances.
Predicted Teams
SL: Pathum Nissanka, Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (c), Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Milan Priyanath Rathnayake, Maheesh Theekshana, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando.
BAN: Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Litton Das (wk), Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (c), Jaker Ali, Taskin Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman.
Key Players
Charith Asalanka (SL): Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka made a statement of intent with a brilliant 106 in the first match of the series. He will be keen on continuing his golden run of form in this game as well. Asalanka is a classy left-handed batter who knows when to force the issue and when to rotate the strike and play according to the demands of the situation. His presence adds a lot of heft to the Sri Lankan middle order.
Jaker Ali (BAN): Lower-order batter Jaker Ali, who impressed with a 64-ball 51 in the first match of the series, will be the key for Bangladesh in this game as well. Ali is known to be an excellent rotator of the strike, and also possesses the skill set to hit the ball a long way. His willingness to take the game deep and not worry about field placements makes him an extremely challenging batter to bowl to.
Match Prediction
Sri Lanka are the favourites as they have already taken a 1-0 lead in the series. Despite Bangladesh having a well-built squad, they do not seem too comfortable to be playing in these conditions under the lights. Sri Lanka’s spinners have made good use of the fielding restrictions in play, while their batters have dictated terms to the Bangladesh bowlers. We expect them to dominate proceedings in this match as well.
Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh, 1st ODI highlights
Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by 77 runs in the first ODI of the three-match series, at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Wednesday, July 2. The Lankans batted first in this game and put up a decent total of 244 on the board, before being bowled out in the 50th over of their innings.
Although they lost their openers Pathum Nissanka and Nishan Madushka early on, wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis steadied the ship with a well-made 45. Captain Charith Asalanka, who walked in to bat at number five, was the star of the show for the Lankans, as he scored a brilliant 106.
Asalanka’s knock came off 123 deliveries and consisted of six boundaries and four sixes. He did not receive much support from the other lower-order Lankan batters and had to be content. Bangladesh, in response, failed to live up to the challenge and were bowled out for 167 in 35.5 overs. Pacer Taskin Ahmed returned with figures of 4-47.
Opener Tanzid Hasan (62) and lower-order batter Jaker Ali (51) provided the only resistance for the Bangladeshis in what was an almost-total massacre. The Lankan bowlers, led by senior leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga (4-10), led the roost, made the most of the conditions on offer, and took their side to a resounding victory. This win gave Sri Lanka a 1-0 lead in the series.
