Bangladesh A and Sri Lanka A will look to clinch the one-day series Sunday when they face off against each other in the third and final match at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. The series is currently locked at 1-1.
The home side got off to a winning start in the series after registering a two-run victory while the Lankans made it all square following victory in the second game.
Bangladesh A have included national discard Sohag Gazi in the squad for the series decider. The off-spinner has been missing from the national dressing room for almost three years now and his return to the Bangladesh A side will give him the chance to redeem himself somewhat.
According to chief national selector Minhajul Abedin, the inclusion of Gazi was made to test him before deciding whether he is upto the task for the upcoming three-match T20I series between the West Indies and Bangladesh. Gazi should make every effort to produce a good performance while the Bangladesh A batsmen should try and get their focus right.
Bangladesh A vs Sri Lanka A
— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) July 19, 2018
2nd Unofficial ODI, SICS, Sylhet.
Sri Lanka A : 275/10 in 49.4 overs (Thisara 111; Naeem 3/42)
Bangladesh A : 132/4 in 25 overs (Zakir 32, Saif 28, Al Amin 26*)
Bangladesh A need 144 runs to win.
The Lankans, on the other hand, can count on a lot of experience in the shape of captain Thisara Perera, Lahiru Thirimanne and others.
Provided Bangladesh A bat first, they should post a challenging total that will be enough for the bowling attack to defend. And if the host bowl first, they should not let the opposition batters settle down.
Opening batsman Soumya Sarkar will get one more opportunity to score some runs. The left-handed batsman was selected for the Bangladesh A side after a disappointing run of form with the national team. He was expected to get his act right for the Bangladesh A team but runs have not come his way. The national discard made flashy starts but failed to convert them into big scores.
