With the series lost, the Sri Lankans would like to return home with a win up their sleeve and avoid clean-sweep against a side they hadn't lost an ODI series before the current one.
Sri Lanka have disappointed in this tour so far. Their bowlers have been pretty average but it is their batting that is a huge cause of concern for them. Once considered very good players of spin, the Lankan batsmen looked clueless against the spinners and there wasn't much of an improvement in their batting display against the pacers. None of their batters showed promise leave apart a counter-attacking inning from Hasaranga down the order in the 1st ODI. Sri Lanka would require a lot more from the experienced duo of Kusal Perera and Kusal Mendis. Sri Lanka needs either of them to hang around and anchor the innings or else the fate of Sri Lanka might end up the same way as the previous two ODIs.
In terms of ICC ODI World Cup Super League standings, this game holds a lot of significance for Sri Lanka as they are languishing at the 12th position with negative points to their name and a win could provide some impetus to Sri Lanka's aspirations of directly qualifying for the World Cup while Bangladesh sits comfortably at the top of the table with 50 points to their tally and another 10 points would make them the table-toppers by a fair margin.
Weather Report- The weather is expected to be overcast and rain interruptions are likely.
Pitch Report- The wicket in Dhaka in the previous two ODIs has been dual paced and batting on this track has been a bit tricky for both the sides and we can expect the same on Friday.
Team News-
BANGLADESH- Soumya Sarkar might get a go ahead of out of form Liton Das. Saifuddin might have to sit out due to a blow on his head by Chameera's short ball in the 2nd ODI.
Probable XI: Tamim Iqbal (C), Soumya Sarkar/Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (WK), Mosaddek Hossain, Mahmudullah, Afif Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mehidy Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed.
SRI LANKA- They would be looking to give their bench strength a chance. The likes of Niroshan Dickwella, Asitha Fernando and Ramesh Mendis could be given a nod in this game.
Probable XI: Kusal Perera (C & WK), Danushka Gunathilaka, Pathum Nissanka/Niroshan Dickwella,
Kusal Mendis, Dasun Shanaka/Ramesh Mendis, Dhananjaya De Silva, Ashen Bandara, Wanindu Hasaranga, Isuru Udana, Dushmantha Chameera, Lakshan Sandakan/Asitha Fernando.
Stadium- Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka
Date & Time- 12:30PM IST on 28 May 2021
Where To Watch- Fancode App (No Television Streaming)
Head To Head-
Total: 50
Sri Lanka:39
Bangladesh:9
No Result:2
