Bangladesh will look to usher in a new era in their ODI cricket when they take on a confident Sri Lanka in the first of a three-match series at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Wednesday.
Under the leadership of newly-appointed ODI captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Bangladesh are set to begin a new era.
Bangladesh will play this series without any of the five veterans who defined their white-ball legacy—Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, and Mashrafe Mortaza.
This will be the first time since 2005 that Bangladesh plays an ODI without any of those names.
The recent retirement of Mushfiqur and Mahmudullah leaves the middle order lacking experience. Bangladesh’s last ODI series saw both players still in the XI.
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Their absence now places added responsibility on the likes of Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, and Towhid Hridoy to anchor the innings and stabilize a side undergoing a clear transition.
Mehidy, who has batted in almost every position in ODIs, is expected to play a key role with both bat and ball.
He may also float in the batting order depending on team needs, while leg-spinning allrounder Rishad Hossain will look to replicate his earlier success against Sri Lanka with both the bat and ball.
The hosts, meanwhile, are in a much more settled phase. Under Charith Asalanka’s captaincy, Sri Lanka have built consistency at home, with series wins over India, West Indies, New Zealand and Australia.
Their bowling unit, led by spinners Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana, looks especially dangerous in home conditions.
Bangladesh have never won an ODI series in Sri Lanka. A win here, under a new leader and without their veterans, could mark the start of something fresh.
Mustafizur Rahman and Takin Ahmed are joining the team with the ODIs after missing the Test series.
However, Sri Lanka’s captain said they have a clear plan against Bangladesh’s premium pacer Mustafizur.
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“Mustafizur is a great bowler. He has proven that in the past. He has taken a lot of wickets for Bangladesh. I think we have a clear plan for him,” Asalanka said on Wednesday.
The match will begin at 3pm in Bangladesh time.