Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will take on each other in a three-match ODI series starting from Sunday. Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman will return to international cricket with this series. As a result, Tamim Iqbal will lead Bangladesh to a full-strength Bangladesh team. Tamim and Shakib are on the verge of reaching personal milestones, that's why the series is significant for the two best cricketers of the tigers'. Bangladesh will be slightly ahead in terms of strength, but the Lankans are not far behind. Both teams are ready for the battle and all set to face off in an ODI series from May 23.
Tamim and Shakib can achieve unique milestones in the series
Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan have a lot of personal records. In reality, these two hold the majority of Bangladesh's records. Tamim and Shakib have the chance to shatter two more records in the series against Sri Lanka. Tamim would become the first Bangladeshi cricketer to reach the 14,000-run mark at the international level if he gets 59 runs in the series. Pushing Mashrafe Mortaza behind, Shakib will be Bangladesh's top wicket-taker in the ODI format if he takes three wickets in the series. Furthermore, Shakib would become the third Bangladeshi to reach 12,000 runs in international cricket if he gets 67 runs. Tamim and Shakib will be able to break all of these records in the opening match if they play at their best. Moreover, Bangladesh will have a better chance of winning the series if these two are on fire.
Read: Babar, Boult, and Shakib Lead ICC ODI Player Rankings in May 2021
Strengths and weaknesses of Bangladesh team
In comparison to the two teams, Bangladeshi cricketers have more experience than Sri Lankan cricketers, thus the experience is the biggest strength of the current Bangladesh team. The team includes senior cricketers like Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah Riyad and Mushfiqur Rahim. Some cricketers in the Bangladesh squad have been with the national squad for six or seven years. The squad also includes a group of young cricketers.
Overall, Bangladesh has assembled a strong team in a combination with young and senior players. Bangladesh will be the favorite in this series against Sri Lanka since it will be played at home. Because, based on Bangladesh's recent performance, we can tell that they perform well at home, and defeating them in their own backyard is a difficult task.
On the other side, Bangladesh's fielding is now its weakest point. Bangladesh's fielding has been substandard in every series since last January despite spending a lot of money on a fielding coach. So, everyone is expecting better performance in fielding from the Bangladeshi players in this series.
Probable Playing XI for first ODI
Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Soumya Sarkar, Mahedi Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam
Strengths and weaknesses of the Sri Lanka team
There are a few promising cricketers on the Sri Lankan team, those who have the potential to be a real match-winner on any given day. The Sri Lanka Cricket Board has named a new captain and co-captain for the series.
The Sri Lankan cricketers are expected to thrive in the series with the new leadership. The desire to do well maybe a useful tool for this youth-oriented squad. Sri Lanka have a chance to surprise the host Bangladesh if they follow the appropriate strategy during the contest.
Sri Lanka's lack of experience may prove to be a disadvantage in this series. Because success in ODI cricket requires a thorough understanding of the formula for success in this format, which the present Sri Lankan team lacks.
Probable Playing XI
Kusal Perera (capt, wk), Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka, Ashen Bandara, Wanindu Hasaranga, Isuru Udana, Lakshan Sandakan, Chamika Karunaratne
Read: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka: Five Memorable Match-Winning ODI Performances
Toss Prediction and Weather Forecast
The best option would be to win the toss and bat first at Mirpur's wicket. According to the weather forecast, the first two matches are expected to be sunny, but the third match may be rained out.
Verdict
Every match of this contest is crucial for ICC’s ODI World Cup super league. Therefore, Both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are all set to face off in an ODI series in order to improve their position in the points table. Bangladesh will take advantage of the fact that they will be playing at home. As a result, Bangladesh are hoping to win the series for the first time against Sri Lanka. On the other hand, Sri Lanka would aim to win at least one match even if they fail to win the series. Overall, it will undoubtedly be a tough battle.