Weakened Sri Lanka bowling below stress in Naagin derby

Big image – SL, Bangladesh grapple with participant absences

Okay, playing cards on the desk, Sri Lanka aren’t in good condition.

Sure, they have not been constantly nice in fairly a while, however these are the defending Asia Cup champions on the finish of the day, to not neglect that they clean-swept the World Cup Qualifier a couple of months in the past. Technically, that is nonetheless that crew. Technically.

Their unit as an entire has achieved a satisfying mix of youth and expertise in current instances. The circumstances in Pallekele are additionally prone to swimsuit their spinners. In that sense, although Sri Lanka may need the house benefit, the newest version of the Naagin Derby (look it up, if you happen to should) would possibly simply see Bangladesh coming in as marginal favourites.

Form information

Sri Lanka WWWWW (final 5 accomplished ODIs, most up-to-date first)
Bangladesh WLLWW

In the highlight

Mehidy Hasan Miraz remains to be simply 25, but it surely positively seems like he is been round for ages, and in a way he has, having made his debut in 2016. While it was his easy but efficient offspin that first caught the eye, it is his more moderen exploits with the bat which have earned him a everlasting spot. Now a bonafide all-round choice coming in decrease down the order, Mehidy presents his aspect quite a lot of stability, and his match-winning century in opposition to India in December confirmed his potential to be a real gamechanger.

Kusal Mendis did not have an awesome LPL, whereas his performances within the World Cup Qualifier did not essentially set the world alight. The previous yr or two, on the entire, has been a fruitful interval for the now 28-year-old, although, particularly in T20Is the place he has showcased a bolder strategy on the prime of the order. In ODIs, he has tended to anchor the innings early on earlier than trying to minimize unfastened. As such almost each formidable Sri Lanka ODI batting efficiency in current instances has coincided with an in-form Mendis. With a second-string bowling unit to play with, Mendis shall be key to any Sri Lankan success.

Team news

Kusal Perera is in rivalry for a spot within the beginning XI, having recovered from a case of Covid-19. However, he final performed an ODI over two years in the past. With Hasaranga not out there, Dushan Hemantha is the only legspin choice, however Dunith Wellalage’s batting may see him get the nod as a substitute.

Sri Lanka XI (possible): 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 (possible): 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 circumstances

During the LPL, most pitches proved to be fairly two-paced, and Pallekele was no totally different, with bowlers rewarded for various their tempo. On event, nevertheless, batting did get simpler, and higher, below lights. In phrases of the climate, it is largely anticipated to be sizzling and humid and there’s a likelihood of rain.