Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh, Bangladesh tour of Sri Lanka, 2019, Today Match Prediction 26 Jul 2019

srl vs ban Match Prediction & Analysis

Host Sri Lanka will be looking to start their home season on a positive note when they will face Bangladesh in the opening game of three-match T20I series in Colombo on Friday. 

The home side will be geared to produce their best cricket and give a befitting farewell to their greatest one-day bowler Lasith Malinga. Captain Dimuth Karunaratne will be focused on making sure that the side can do their basics well in this opening game of the one-day series.

On the other hand, Bangladesh will be without their key players Mashrafe Mortaza and Shakib Al Hasan for this three-match one-day series. Experienced opening batsman Tamim Iqbal will lead the side for this one-day series. On their last tour to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh managed to secure a draw in three-match one-day series played against Sri Lanka in 2017.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Sri Lanka Preview

The home side has made changes to their squad for this three-match one-day series against Bangladesh. Shehan Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara, Akila Dhananjaya and Dasun Shanaka make a comeback to the limited-overs squad for this series.

Captain Dimuth Karunaratne will be looking to put runs for the side at the top of the innings. In his home series as limited-overs captain, Karunaratne will determine to make sure that Sri Lanka can produce positive results against Bangladesh.

His opening partner, Kusal Perera, likes to take the attack to the bowlers in the initial Powerplay overs. Left-hander has a knack of scoring quick runs against the new-ball and will be looking to get Sri Lanka off to a flier in this game.

Youngster Avishka Fernando delivered credible performances for Sri Lanka during the ICC Cricket World Cup played in England and Wales. The right-handed batsman certainly looks a promising player for the future and needs to take his time to produce big scores on a regular basis. In the mega event, he managed to produce his maiden limited-overs century to help Sri Lanka overcome West Indies in a high scoring game.

All-rounder Angelo Matthews managed to find a form with the bat during the ICC Cricket World Cup. He has been an in-form batsman in the middle-order and will need to produce runs for the side in this one-day series.

Lahiru Thiramanne and Kusal Mendis have shown decent form for the side in limited-overs cricket. Thisara Perera and Dhananjaya de Silva are two quality all-rounders for Sri Lanka for this one-day series.

In the bowling department, the side will be relying on the likes of Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha and Nuwan Pradeep to make early inroads with the new ball. Wanindu Hasaranga, Dhananjaya de Silva and Akila Dhananjaya are premier spin options for this one-day series. Veteran pace bowler Lasith Malinga is set to play his final one-day game for Sri Lanka. He will be looking to go out on a high and help Sri Lanka win this game.

Sri Lanka Predicted Playing XI:

Dimuth Karunaratne (captain), Kusal Perera (wk), Kusal Mendis, Lahiru Thiramanne, Angelo Matthews, Avishka Fernando, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka/Thisara Perera, Nuwan Pradeep, Lasith Malinga, Isuru Udana/Akila Dhananjaya.

Bangladesh Preview

On the other hand, in the absence of regular captain Mashrafe Mortaza, Bangladesh will need to play their best cricket in order to beat Sri Lanka in this one-day series. Tamim Iqbal will captain the side for this one-day series against Sri Lanka.

Opener Tamim Iqbal will be desperate to get runs in this game after not doing that well in the recent ICC Cricket World Cup played in England and Wales. Since the start of this season, Iqbal has accumulated 421 runs in 15 matches at an average of 28.06 with three half-centuries to his name.

Mushfiqur Rahim has been a consistent performer for the side in white-ball cricket. In the absence of Shakib Al Hasan, the side will be relying on Rahim to deliver big scores in this one-day series. Since January 2019, Rahim has scored 579 runs in 15 matches at an average of 44.53. He also has scored one century and three half-centuries in this period.

Wicket-keeper batsman will be looking to continue his rich vein of form with the bat in this three-match one-day series. Besides Rahim, Muhammad Mithun, Mahmudullah Riyad and Sabbir Rahman will need to deliver runs with the bat in this one-day series. The batting trio played well in the warm-up game played against Sri Lanka Cricket Board President’s XI in Colombo.

Mosaddek Hossain has proven to be a capable all-rounder for the side so far this season. He has the ability to produce quick runs at the back end of the innings. He also has a knack of picking up key wickets for Bangladesh with his off-spin.

Left-arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman will be keen to continue his good form with the ball. He was the standout bowler for the side in the recently concluded Cricket World Cup played in England and Wales. Taskin Ahmed or Rubel Hossain might take the new-ball for the side for this game. Mehdi Hasan Miraaz will be a premier spin option for Bangladesh for this one-day series.

Bangladesh Predicted Playing XI:

Tamim Iqbal (captain), Soumya Sarkar, Anamul-Haque (wk), Mushfiqur Rahim Mahmudullah, Mustafizur Rahman, Mosaddek Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rubel Hossain/Taskin Ahmed, Muhammad Mithun.

Weather Conditions

Traditionally, the pitch at R. Premadasa is generally excellent for batting. The spinners will definitely some assistance from the surface. The weather forecast for the game to be played on Friday is not that good as thunderstorms are expected to continue throughout the day.

Venue

R. Premadasa in Colombo will host the opening game of the one-day series between Sri Lanka and England. The home side will take heart from the fact they have managed to win all their games against Bangladesh played at this venue. 

Toss: To Bowl

The side that wins the toss would be looking to bowl first and restrict the opposition to a modest total. Batting second might be preferable as rain might play a big role in the outcome of this game.