Weakened Sri Lanka bowling under pressure in Naagin derby
Written by I Dig Sports
Big picture - SL, Bangladesh grapple with player absences
Okay, cards on the table, Sri Lanka aren't in good shape.
Sure, they haven't been consistently great in quite some time, but these are the defending Asia Cup champions at the end of the day, not to forget that they clean-swept the World Cup Qualifier a few months ago. Technically, this is still that team. Technically.
Their unit as a whole has achieved a pleasing blend of youth and experience in recent times. The conditions in Pallekele are also likely to suit their spinners. In that sense, even though Sri Lanka might have the home advantage, the latest edition of the Naagin Derby (look it up, if you must) might just see Bangladesh coming in as marginal favourites.
Form guide
Sri Lanka WWWWW (last five completed ODIs, most recent first)
Bangladesh WLLWW
In the spotlight
Mehidy Hasan Miraz is still just 25, but it definitely feels like he's been around for ages, and in a sense he has, having made his debut in 2016. While it was his simple yet effective offspin that first caught the attention, it's his more recent exploits with the bat that have earned him a permanent spot. Now a bonafide all-round option coming in lower down the order, Mehidy offers his side a great deal of balance, and his match-winning century against India in December showed his ability to be a genuine gamechanger.
Kusal Mendis didn't have a great LPL, while his performances in the World Cup Qualifier didn't necessarily set the world alight. The past year or two, on the whole, has been a fruitful period for the now 28-year-old, though, especially in T20Is where he has showcased a bolder approach at the top of the order. In ODIs, he has tended to anchor the innings early on before looking to cut loose. As such nearly every formidable Sri Lanka ODI batting performance in recent times has coincided with an in-form Mendis. With a second-string bowling unit to play with, Mendis will be key to any Sri Lankan success.
Team news
Kusal Perera is in contention for a place in the starting XI, having recovered from a case of Covid-19. However, he last played an ODI over two years ago. With Hasaranga not available, Dushan Hemantha is the sole legspin option, but Dunith Wellalage's batting could see him get the nod instead.
Sri Lanka XI (probable): 1 Dimuth Karunaratne, 2 Pathum Nissanka, 3 Kusal Mendis (wk), 4 Sadeera Samarawickrama, 5 Charith Asalanka 6 Dhananjaya de Silva, 7 Dasun Shanaka (capt), 8 Dushan Hemantha/Dunith Wellalage, 9 Maheesh Theekshana, 10 Binura Fernando, 11 Kasun Rajitha
Bangladesh XI (probable): 1 Mohammad Naim, 2 Tanzid Hasan/Anamul Haque, 3 Najmul Hossain Shanto, 4 Shakib Al Hasan (capt), 5 Towhid Hridoy, 6 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 7 Afif Hossain, 8 Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 9 Taskin Ahmed, 10 Hasan Mahmud, 11 Shoriful Islam
Pitch and conditions
During the LPL, most pitches proved to be quite two-paced, and Pallekele was no different, with bowlers rewarded for varying their pace. On occasion, however, batting did get easier, and better, under lights. In terms of the weather, it's largely expected to be hot and humid and there is a chance of rain.
Stats and trivia
- Bangladesh have played just one ODI in Pallekele, against Sri Lanka in 2013, which they won
- Sri Lanka have the second-highest win percentage against Bangladesh - 81.63% - in ODI cricket. Only Pakistan have a higher percentage (86.48). However, Sri Lanka have lost four of their last ten games against Bangladesh
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