Sri Lanka v Bangladesh, ODI Series: Combined XI

After an enthralling Test match series, Bangladesh took on Sri Lanka in a format they are most comfortable at. The series ended in a stalemate. The first ODI was completely dominated by Bangladesh after they piled up a massive target for Sri Lankans to chase down. It was a daunting test for the struggling Lankan batting lineup as they fell short by a 90 runs. The second ODI was abandoned due to persistent rain. However, the Sri Lankans would believe they had an upper hand in the match after posting a huge total. Bangladeshis, on the other hand, would feel they got out of the jail as no team had ever crossed the 300-run mark while chasing in Dambulla. The action shifted to Colombo where the Lankans were under tremendous pressure to lock the series at 1-1 in their own backyard. The Lankans responded perfectly under pressure as they went on to secure a comfortable win in the all important 3rd ODI. Both teams would look to end their outing on a sweet note in the third phase of the tour, i.e. the T20Is. But before we get ahead of ourselves, let us look at the combined eleven from both the sides, whose individual performances stood out during the series. Tamim Iqbal Bangladesh cricketer Tamim Iqbal raises his bat in celebration after scoring a century (100 runs). (Photo by ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images) This fierce-some opening batsman stole all the limelight in the opening ODI with a devastating knock of 127 off 142 balls and put the Lankans on the defense psychologically. Together with Sabbir, Tamim bludgeoned the home team out of the match and perhaps the series. The duo laid a solid platform through which the middle order could accelerate into the death overs. Through his knock, he went on to state why he is renowned as one the most dangerous batsmen in the world. Not only does he smacks the opposition all over the park but also plays with the psychology of the opposition. Upul Tharanga Sri Lanka’s Upul Tharanga (Photo credit should read JON SUPER/AFP/Getty Images) Together with Gunathilaka and Mendis, Tharanga was instrumental in giving his team some sort of platform to consolidate from. The memorable inning of this series for Tharanga arrived in the second ODI where he scored a silky 65 off just 76 balls. He stitched a vital partnership with the centurion Kusal Mendis, which eventually brought the Lankans back into the series. Even though the lower middle order managed a total of 310 odd runs, at one point of time, the duo made sure that the Lankans were in a position to score around a total of 350 or perhaps 360. A run a ball 35 in the 3rd ODI ensured the Sri Lankans a lightning start before he got castled by a beauty from Taskin. All in all, Tharanga played his part at the top of the innings amassing 119 runs at an average of about 40. Kusal Mendis Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis (Photo credit LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images) Kusal Mendis over the past few months has made a name for himself during a tumultuous period in Sri Lankan cricket, especially after the departure of the Sangakkara, Jayawardene and Dilshan. With persistent injuries to Matthews, Mendis held the forefront of Sri Lankan batting both home and away. Similarly, in this series, against all odds, with the backs against the walls, Mendis delivered a peach of an innings in the second one-dayer, along with ample support from Mendis. Even though the match was abandoned due to rain, the Sri Lankans produced a firm reply after the humiliating loss in the first one-dayer in their own backyard. He backed the century with another gutsy half century which propelled the Sri Lankans after a blistering start. He paved way for the likes of Thisara Perera and Asela Gunaratne to play their natural game which helped the Lankans to post a total out of the reach of the Bangladeshis and eventually level the series. Mendis amassed over 160 runs in the three outings with an average of over 53. Dinesh Chandimal Sri Lanka cricketer Dinesh Chandimal (Photo credit should read ISHARA S.KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images) The captain and wicket keeper of the combined XI, Dinesh Chandimal played his part in the series exceptionally well. Occasionally, he was overshadowed by Tharanga, Mendis or Perera but he played an innings full of valor when the chips were down in the First ODI. With a decent average of 35, he would feel he underperformed. But, the role he played in the series was beyond runs. Chandimal held on to some important catches and made some bold moves as a captain which brought back the Lankans back in the series. Shakib al Hasan Bangladesh cricketer Shakib Al Hasan. (Photo by ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images) Series after series, years after years, Shakib al Hasan has timed and again proved why he is the talisman of Bangladesh cricket. With an impressive 72 in the first ODI, Shakib provided the final impetus to the already ignited Bangladeshi innings. He gave away a miserly 33 run in 8 overs and also took the important wicket of Gunaratne to support his exploits with the bat. Even though he was ineffective in the 2nd ODI, he made a strong statement in the 3rd. With the bearings of the Bangladeshi innings falling off, Shakib stood firm and attempted a resurge in the innings with ample support from Mehedi Hasan. In this tour, Shakib has demonstrated why he’s a world-class bowler and why he’s an asset any side in the world. Asela Gunaratne Sri Lanka. (Photo Source: Twitter) Asela Gunaratne The latest sensation of Sri Lankan Cricket, Asela Gunaratne played few vital knocks in the lower middle order to provide momentum into the death overs. With a cumulative strike rate of 92 at an average of 33 in the series, Gunaratne backed his exploits down under this series. He also contributed with the ball in the 1st ODI, providing much-needed breathing space for the captain. When most of the bowlers were going for plenty, Gunaratne bowled his entire quota of 10 overs at an exceptional economy of 4, while their prime bowlers could not complete their entire quota of overs. Yet again, Gunaratne demonstrated why he’s the find of the season for Sri Lankan Cricket. We will see more of this youngster in the years to come. Thisara Perera Sri Lankan cricketer Thisara Perera. (Photo by LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images) ing capabilities and street smart bowling in the death and middle overs. He did his reputation no harm as the series progressed. His swashbuckling 55 off just 35 deliveries in the first encounter illuminated a ray of hope for the Sri Lankan supporters. Perera smashed six boundaries in pursuit of the target set by the Tigers. Two of them landed over the rope. He followed it up with another momentum altering innings in the 3rd ODI where he scored 52 off just 40 balls. This innings consisted of four 4’s and a towering six. Perera provided the much-needed impetus in the fag-end of the innings. His contributions with the bat and ball proved to be detrimental in equalling the series at 1-all at the end of the series. Mehedi Hasan Mushfiqur Rahim and Mehedi Hasan. (Photo by ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images) One of the major reasons for the resurgence of the Bangladeshi team post-2015 World Cup is the injection of young talent one after another, which established a vast pool of players to choose from. Mehedi Hasan is yet another example of this theory. He is the new kid on the block. Mehedi has impressed one and all with his all-round abilities by providing crucial runs lower down the order and taking wickets at regular intervals. With 4 wickets in 3 matches and pivotal innings of 51 in the third ODI, he has manifested why he will be a sought after bloke in the years to come. Hasan definitely will serve Bangladesh Cricket for a substantial period. Nuwan Kulasekara Nuwan Kulasekara of Sri Lanka. (Photo by MICHAEL BRADLEY/AFP/Getty Images) Even in the twilight of his career, the veteran has demonstrated the auspicious value he brings into the Sri Lankan side. Despite limited opportunities, he provided the necessary impact with a match-winning 4-37 in the 3rd ODI. He single-handedly ran through the batting line-up of the Tigers and helped his team level the series. He will be an essential selection for the Sri Lankans in the upcoming T20I series. Taskin Ahmed Bangladesh cricketer Taskin Ahmed (Photo credit should read ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images) Another young talent who has grown leaps and bounds in the international arena, Taskin Ahmed did his reputation no harm at all in this series. Continuing his good work from the test series, he took 6 wickets in three games. This included the four-wicket haul in the 2nd ODI where he took a hat-trick in the final over of the innings. Taskin became the 5th bowler in the history of Bangladesh cricket to take a hattrick. Taskin demonstrated perfectly why he’s an asset to any team with his death bowling abilities and bowling with the field up. Suranga Lakmal Sri Lankan cricketer Suranga Lakmal celebrates with his teammates. (Photo by LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images) Over the years, Lakmal has played a vital role during this transition phase of Sri Lankan cricket. Despite several chopping and changing in the bowling lineup, Lakmal held his ground by constant performances and crucial contributions in the bowling. Similarly, in this series, he took 4 wickets at a decent economy of 5.18 when all the other bowlers were going for plenty. Lakmal will also hold the key in the upcoming T20 series as well.

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Sri Lanka v Bangladesh, ODI Series: Combined XI

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