SL vs BAN 1st ODI Match Prediction

SL vs BAN Team Previews

Sri Lanka

We think the biggest gain for Sri Lanka from the previous world cup was the emergence of Avishka Fernando as a top-order batsman that can take the game to the opposition and play the long inning. His tall batting stance allows him to control the short ball very effectively and he also has the gift of timing.

We are very excited to see what he can do in his home conditions.

The entire top-order for Sri Lanka performed quite well for Sri Lanka. Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Perera got the side off to some very quick starts consistently and were in fact one of the best opening duo in the entire world cup.

With Kusal Mendis, Angelo Matthews, and Thisara Perera in form also, the Sri Lankan side has a very good batting lineup.

While the Sri Lankan batting was a pleasant surprise, its bowling was ultimately disappointing.

This is probably the reason why the Sri Lankan selectors have made some changes and given more options to the captain.

Isuru Udana will play a lead role for Sri Lanka moving into the future now that Lasith Malinga is retiring. The Sri Lankan great is going to be playing his last ODI in this series and will then bid farewell to national duty.

Akila Dananjaya could get a look-in as could Kasun Rajitha and Lahiru Kumara in the Sri Lankan side for the first ODI.

Bangladesh

How important was Shakib Al Hasan to the Bangladeshi campaign in the world cup? We don’t think any arbitrary number or percentage is going to do him good but it’s safe to say that his absence on this tour is going to be a huge loss for Bangladesh.

Bangladesh has come a long way in the last couple of years and we don’t think they are going to worry just because Shakib Al Hasan is not there. Tamim Iqbal is going to be leading Bangladesh as the appointed captain in an ODI series for the first time in his career. He is going to have to ensure that Bangladesh does not let go of the momentum and belief it built up during the world cup.

Bangladesh’s batting is going to be led by Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Liton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Mahmudullah. Bangladesh keeps switching between Soumya Sarkar and Liton Das as its opening batsman but both of them have found a place in the playing eleven on most occasions.

This is a good batting lineup on paper but without Shakib Al Hasan, it seems a bit brittle. Tamim has not been in great form, Soumya Sarkar continues to throw away his wickets after starts, Liton Das is unpredictable, and Mahmudullah also seems to have stagnated a little in his development.

Only Mushfiqur Rahim is the batsman that can be relied upon to some extent.

Mosaddek Hossain and Mohammad Saifuddin are the two all-rounders that help give the Bangladesh batting some depth.

Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Mehidy Hasan, and Taskin Ahmed could find their way in the playing eleven for the first match.

Bangladesh is still a strong opponent but their recent lead over Sri Lanka seems much lesser without Shakib Al Hasan.