Bangladesh will need to pay special attention to their finishing when they lock horns with visiting Sri Lanka in the first of the three-match ODI series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today.
The month-long bilateral series, which is in the last phase now, has seen Bangladesh progressively raise their competitiveness against the islanders. The series started with Bangladesh suffering a humiliating defeat in the first Test in Dhaka, but bounced back in the second game in Chittagong to draw their first-ever test match at home against the Lankans.
Throughout the two-match Twenty20 series, Bangladesh fought hard against the world number one Twenty20 side. Both the games saw last-ball finishes, with the visitors winning the games and the series.
The positives should boost the Tigers in the game today, a format in which they are most successful, especially in home conditions. The last time Bangladesh faced Sri Lanka in an ODI series, it was a drawn affair. The series in Sri Lanka in March last year saw Bangladesh lose the first game in Hambantota, while the second was rained off. Bangladesh won the third one in Pallakele.
A good sign for Bangladesh is the return of skipper Mushfiqur Rahim to the side. The wicket-keeper batsman missed the Twenty20 series after picking up an injury in the second Test. Mushfiq is back after a short break, but will play only as a batsman. This will make the job of selecting the playing eleven for Bangladesh complicated. Mushfiqur not keeping wickets means Anamul Haque or Shamsur Rahman will take on the gloves.
Recent ODI performances are likely to be taken into consideration where Mominul Haque or Anamul would compete for the number three batting spot. A place in the middle order will need to be decided between Naeem Islam and Mahmuddlah, while in the pace bowling department, either Shafiul Islam or Al-Amin Hossain will come in as second choice behind Mashrafe Mortaza and Rubel Hossain. The services of veteran spinner Abdur Razzak, suffering a hamstring injury, will be missed. As a result, Sohag Gazi, may lead the spin attack although his bowling form is a concern and Arafat Sunny, who made his international debut in the Twenty20 series, is likely to be picked for the game.
Sri Lanka on the other hand will look to maintain their record of winning all bilateral series in Bangladesh. The side will be led by regular captain Angelo Mathews, with T20 skipper Dinesh Chandimal as his understudy. The islanders, most importantly, will want the spinners and batsmen to acclimatize to local conditions prior to the Asia Cup starting from February 25 and the ICC World Twenty20 in March, with both events taking place in Bangladesh. The side is settled, with the batsmen in good form and the bowlers among the wickets. However, Sri Lanka has won just one of the last five bilateral ODI series, which is something that will rattle them.
Sri Lanka might announce two changes to their side. Nuwan Kulasekara could get back in the team, while Thisara Perera also has a chance of being in the starting eleven. There is likely to be a toss-up between Ashan Priyanjan and Kithuruwan Vithanage.
Dhaka has seen overcast weather and occasional drizzle in last two days but clear skies are being predicted for match day. The game is scheduled to begin at 1pm BST.
