After giving a heroic fight in the recently concluded two-match Twenty20 Cricket series against the touring Sri Lanka recently, Bangladesh team led by Mushfiqur Rahim will meet Sri Lanka led by Angelo Mathews in the first One Day International (ODI) match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. The day/night affair begins at 1.00 pm BST (Bangladesh Standard Time).
State-owned television channel Bangladesh Television will telecast the match live from the Stadium while private satellite channel Maasranga Television will broadcast the match live from the Home of Cricket.
Bangladesh will face Sri Lanka in the second ODI at the same venue on February 20 and the Tigers will take on the Lions in the third ODI at the same venue on February 22.
The last ODI series between the Tigers and the Lions was ended in a draw.
Sri Lanka won the first ODI while the second ODI was abandoned due to rain and Bangladesh won the third ODI.
Though opener Tamim Iqbal could not show consistency against Sri Lanka in the two Tests and two Twenty20 matches but the dashing opener Iqbal can click any time. Shamsur Rahman and Anamul Haque are now in-form.
Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah Riyad and Nasir Hossain can do any thing in any time.
Bangladesh’s have a satisfactory bowling line-up. Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Arafat Sunny, Rubel Hossain, Shakib Al Hasan and Shohag Gazi are in a good form.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka have four world class batsmen in their squad. Promising Kaushal Perera, experienced Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara and Dinesh Chandimal are really good batsmen.
Besides, skipper Angelo Mathews and Thisara Perera played well in the outgoing matches.
Sri Lanka have a satisfactory bowling line-up. Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekara and Ajantha Mendis are really good bowlers.
Bangladesh Captain Mushfiqur Rahim said, “Dew factor might come in. There was overnight rain. We might play three pacers or three spinners.”
Sri Lanka Captain Angelo Mathews said, “You just have to concentrate on your role, whether you’re a captain or a normal player in the side. You need to give your maximum to the team regardless of your position.”
Squads:
Bangladesh (probable): Tamim Iqbal, Shamsur Rahman, Anamul Haque/Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim (Captain), Naeem Islam, Shakib Al Hasan, Nasir Hossain, Shohag Gazi, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Arafat Sunny, Rubel Hossain.
Sri Lanka (probable) : Kaushal Perera, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara , Dinesh Chandimal, Ashan Priyanjan/Kithuruwan Vithanage, Angelo Mathews (Captain), Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Sachithra Senanayake, Lasith Malinga, Ajantha Mendis.
