After a tightly contested T20I series, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are the only major nations engaged in bilateral this week. James Richardson previews the first ODI.
Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka – First ODI
Wednesday 13 March 2024 – 10:00
Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram
Bangladesh will want to make a statement after losing the key T20Is in a World Cup year and the ODI format has proven quite the struggle for them.
The Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium will host all three ODIs in the series which could make this another tight battle. In a curious piece of trivia, Sri Lanka featured in the very first ODI at the venue in 2006 but hasn’t played a match in the format at the ground since. Bangladesh lost the last three-match ODI series they played entirely at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, going down 2-1 to Afghanistan last July.
To Win Match
Bangladesh 29/20 | Tie 25/1 | Sti Lanka 57/100
Towhid Hridoy has been retained despite his outburst in the last match of the T20I series and the Tigers will hope that his fire spreads through their squad.
Without many established stars, Bangladesh are clearly looking to move on although they do have the likes of Liton Das and Mushfiqur Rahim to add experience to the top and middle order.
There will be no Shakib-al-Hasan or Tamim Iqbal in this series though with Najmul Hossain Shanto skippering the hosts.
Allrounder Rishad Hossain carries good form into this series and he could prove to be a player to watch.
Kusal Mendis proved a leader with the bat in the T20I series and looks likely to be named the skipper for the ODIs after showing good form.
Sri Lanka have yet to clarify whether Nuwan Thushara will get a chance to build on a T20 five-fer in this series given that he is yet to make his ODI debut.
Charith Asalanka is expected to be the key man in the middle order for Sri Lanka and could find he has more to do as a finisher in this format.
Wanindu Hasaranga made a solid return in the T20Is but will have a lot more work to get through in these matches.
Verdict: Sri Lanka 57/100
Sri Lanka can keep their foot down and power through this series.
