Tigers seek first-ever series win over Lions

Tigers are on the verge of beating Sri Lanka for the first time in a series. With 1-0 up in the three-match series, the hosts go as favourites again into the second ODI at Mirpur. 

Bangladesh will move to No.1 in ICC Cricket World Cup Super League points table if they win either of the last two matches.

Sri Lankan lions are the only Full Member Asian team to have never lost a series to Bangladesh. Bangladesh’s best results against them are 1-1 in 2013 and 2017 tours to the island country. Now, Bangladesh, full of experienced cricketers, face rejigged Sri Lanka who have been searching ways to turn themselves into a settled team.

Sunday’s first ODI could have finished in a thrilling fashion had Wanindu Hasaranga (74 off 60) continued a little longer. But his team fell 33 shy of Bangladesh’s 257/6.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz was the star with the ball for Bangladesh as he picked three wickets – including that of captain Kusal Perera – in a spell and ended up with figures 4/30. The player of the match award however went to Mushfiqur Rahim (84 off 87), who dragged Bangladesh out of trouble from 99/4.

It was Bangladesh’s first win after 10-match winless hiatus across formats. Eyes will be on Shakib Al Hasan as his side will seek a better outing at number three position. He did well with the ball, picking up Kusal Mendis to complete his 1000th wicket in professional cricket.

Sri Lanka, contrarily, can take hearts from Hasaranga’s breathtaking innings or Dhananjaya de Silva’s off-spin burst. Wicket-keeper batter Niroshan Dickwella and mystery spinner Akila Dananjaya missed out last game. Should they return to the XI, Kusal Perera’s side could enforce a greater power to the Tigers.

Bangladesh may not bother chipping-and-chopping players after a relieving win. Although, Mustafizur Rahman’s niggle is something the team management would need to assess.

Likely XIs:

Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal (captain), Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mohammad Mithun/Mosaddek Hossain, Mahmudullah Riyad, Afif Hossain Dhrubo, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mohammad Saifuddin, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman

Sri Lanka: Kusal Perera (captain & wk), Danushka Gunathilaka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka, Ashen Bandara/Niroshan Dickwella, Wanindu Hasaranga, Isuru Udana, Lakshan Sandakan/Akila Dananjaya, Dushmantha

The Mirpur pitch is poised to favour spinners again and may slow down as the game progresses. Showers are expected in Dhaka starting from afternoon as an effect of cyclone ‘Yaas’.