Tigers look to avoid nightmare clean-swoop
Bangladesh face Sri lanka in the last game of the three-match series on Wednesday at Colombo.
As the first series after the World Cup ends for the sides, one is filled with ecstasy where the other with agony. Bangladesh have lost the series, and to be honest, they didn’t even put up a fight against Sri lanka in the first two matches.
Bangladesh couldn’t think of a worst start to their post-World Cup era, but their nightmares have come true and they have managed to lose the series without their superstar Shakib and regular ODI captain Mashrafe. The concern is not defeat, but the manner in which the defeats came in. Did the Tigers put up any fight? Was there any moment in the first two matches where Bangladesh were nearer to the finishing line than their opponent? Answer to both questions - NO. Bangladesh have been an utter disappointment on this tour, and nobody else than Mushfiqur Rahim stood up. You can exclude Mehidy Hasan, Taijul Islam and Sabbir Rahman from the complete flop list, but the others make it into the list pretty easily. Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar have managed to continue their poor form of run, and this might just lead up to a window of opportunity for Anamul Haque. The bowling department looks even more toothless than the World Cup, as Shafiul Islam showede in the last match why he was not called up for the national side for three years. Only Taijul’s bowling had some venom, and once again the weakness of Bangladesh’s bowling was exposed as Avishka Fernando played shots all around the ground. As the series is lost, Bangladesh might give a chance to the unused players like Taskin Ahmed and Farhad Reza, who are raring to go after a long absence from the team.
Sri Lanka are in fine feathers as they will be looking for a clean swoop. Their batsmen haven’t been challenged by the Bangladeshi bowlers, and even when they have been, they did not flinch. Their bowlers are in good rhythm as they managed to take wickets continuously to push back Bangladesh early in the game. They have started their life without Lasith Malinga only in the last match, and what it seems like, they are managing pretty well for now.
Possible Lineups
Bangladesh might bring in a couple of changes as they will look to reshuffle and find their best eleven. Anamul Haque might take up Soumya Sarkar’s place, whereas Taskin Ahmed might finally get a chance in place of Shafiul Islam. Farhad Reza might also be included in place of Mosaddek Hossain.
Possible Lineup - 1. Tamim Iqbal (c), 2. Soumya Sarkar, 3. Mohammad Mithun, 4. Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 5. Mahmudullah Riyad, 6. Sabbir Rahman, 7. Farhad Reza, 8. Mehidy Hasan, 9. Taijul Islam, 10. Taskin Ahmed, 11. Mustafizur Rahman
Sri Lanka are likely to go unchanged as they look to whitewash the Tigers.
Possible Lineup - 1. Dimuth Karunaratne (c), 2. Kusal Perera (wk), 3. Avishka Fernando, 4. Kusal Mendis, 5. Angelo Mathews, 6. Lahiru Thirimanne, 7. Thisara Perera, 8. Dhananjaya de Silva, 9. Isuru Udana, 10. Lahiru Kumara, 11. Kasun Rajitha
Weather and Conditions
The monsoon season might be a concern, but Colombo’s weather has been pretty kind to the cricket-lovers and all of them can expect a full game tomorrow.
The pitch was somewhat double-paced in the last game, but it’s likely to be batting-friendly in the last game.