SL v BAN, 2nd ODI Preview: Resurgent Bangladesh aims maiden series victory in the island nation

It was an exceptional all-round display by Bangladesh in the opening one-dayer against Sri Lanka which they won comfortably by 90 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the 3 match series. It has been a terrific tour for Bangladesh so far and they would look to create history by registering their maiden series win against a top team in their backyard. Bangladesh who has taken giant strides in international cricket over the past few years will look for another resounding victory in Dambulla which would give them their maiden series win on the Sri Lankan shores.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, is going through a lean patch and will look for a turn-around tomorrow to keep the 3 match series alive. Dinesh Chandimal came hard at the boys after the defeat and said transition period cannot be cited as a reason anymore which is preventing Sri Lanka from winning matches. He urged the team members to put their hands up and start winning matches for their country.

Focus will be on:

Tamim Iqbal: The left-handed opener scored a magnificent century in the opening ODI which took the visitors to a commanding 1st innings score. He batted brilliantly throughout the innings and was hardly troubled by any of the Sri Lankan bowlers. After battling through the initial phase, the southpaw grew in confidence and started smashing the Lankan bowlers all around Dambulla.

In the process, Tamim also became the 1st Bangladeshi to score more than 10,000 runs in international cricket. After completing his 8th ODI century, Tamim started attacking mercilessly and struck some delightful blows towards the later part of the innings. He was eventually dismissed after scoring 127 of 142 deliveries, an innings constructed with 15 fours and a solitary hit over the fence.

Asela Gunaratne: The hard-hitting batsman has been the stand-out performer for Sri Lanka in the recent T20I series triumphs in South Africa and Australia and looked in solid touch during the opening encounter before giving away his wicket to Shakib Al Hasan.

The medium fast bowler also bowled correct lines and finished with impressive figures of 1/40 in his allotted 10 overs. The swashbuckling batsman was instrumental in handing the islanders their maiden series victories in South African and Australian soil. His audacious strokeplay was the reason Mumbai Indians bought the all-rounder in the IPL Auction.

Mustafizur Rahman: The cutter specialist Mustafizur Rahman who returned to the international fold during the Test series finally came back to his own finishing with figures of 3/56 in the previous ODI. After struggling in the Test series, the left-arm pacer came back strongly and rattled the middle order and lower middle order of Sri Lanka.

Team Combination

Sri Lanka

The hosts have roped in the services of fast bowlers Nuwan Pradeep and Nuwan Kulasekara as covers for Suranga Lakmal and wicket-keeper batsman Niroshan Dickwella. Lakmal injured his hand while attempting to field off his own bowling during the opening ODI at Dambulla.

Dickwella, on the other hand, was struck on his left thumb during a training session on Sunday. Despite not training on Monday, Dickwella is expected to take the field tomorrow after missing out in the opening game due to suspension from ICC. If Dickwella recuperates he will replace Danushka Gunathilaka in the opening slot and will also take up the wicket-keeping duties. The rest of the XI will remain unchanged.

Predicted XI:

Upul Tharanga (c), Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Mendis, Asela Gunaratne, Milinda Siriwardana, Sekugge Prasanna, Thisara Perera, Sachith Pathirana, Lashan Sandakan, Lahiru Kumara, Vikum Sanjaya,

Bangladesh

After the comprehensive victory in the opening ODI, Bangladesh is expected to field the same XI tomorrow. They will be bolstered by the return of Mustafizur Rahman who made a comeback in the previous match. Mehedi Hasan who made his debut in the previous match is expected to retain his place after an impressive debut.

Predicted XI:

Mashrafe Mortaza (c), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudullah, Sabbir Rahman, Soumya Sarkar, Mosaddek Hossain Saikat, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Mehedi Hasan

Stat Attack

4- SL now has lost 4 consecutive ODIs at home, their joint longest losing streak. They lost 4 in a row vs India in 2009]

4- Bangladesh has won only 4 bilateral ODI series outside home: 2 in Zimbabwe,1 each in West Indies and in Kenya.