Sri Lanka
Bangladesh
Sri Lanka will enter the 2nd ODI in Colombo with a 1-0 lead in the series. They defended a modest score of 244 in the first game as Bangladesh collapsed from 96/1 to 167 all out. Charith Asalanka’s century made the difference, and the bowlers kept things tight after an early breakthrough.
Bangladesh had a strong start with 96/1, but their middle order fell apart with 105/8. Their economical bowlers picked up wickets regularly, but the batters didn’t convert the start into a win.
Sri Lanka will be more confident heading into this match. They looked more organised, especially with their bowling changes and middle-order batting. Bangladesh are still trying to settle their batting combination and will hope to avoid another collapse.
In the last 5 ODIs between these two sides, Bangladesh have won 3 while Sri Lanka have won two. 4 of those games were won by the chasing side.
Sri Lanka’s top order is in better form, with Asalanka scoring a century and Nissanka consistently performing across formats.
The betting tip is...
Top Batter’s Team - Sri Lanka
61 %
39 %
Sri LankaBangladeshPathum Nissanka will continue to open the innings with Nishan Madushka. Nissanka scored a double century earlier this year, has an ODI average of 41 and recently scored 369 runs in the Test series, including two centuries. Madushka has made 158 runs in his three ODI innings, including two fifties.
Kusal Mendis will bat at number three. He scored a century in Sri Lanka’s previous ODI before this series and has made 496 runs in his last 9 ODIs at an average of 70.86. Skipper Charith Asalanka, who hit a century in the first ODI, will bat in the middle order. He averages 46.75 in his last 10 matches and over 65 against Bangladesh.
Kamindu Mendis and Janith Liyanage will complete the middle order. Theekshana and Hasaranga will handle spin. Asitha Fernando and Eshan Malinga will lead the pace attack.
Nissanka, Asalanka and Hasanranga are the key players.
Predicted Lineup: Pathum Nissanka, Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (c), Janith Liyanage, Milan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Asitha Fernando, Eshan Malinga.
Tanzid Hasan Tamim will open the innings with Parvez Hossain Emon. Tanzid is coming off a half-century in the first ODI and has scored 345 runs in his last 10 ODIs. Najmul Hossain Shanto will bat at number three.
He has scored 345 runs in five innings against Sri Lanka at an average of 85 and made 300 runs in the recent Test series. Litton Das will follow, but he has struggled against Sri Lanka with just 63 runs in 9 ODIs.
Towhid Hridoy and skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz will bat in the middle. Miraz has 323 runs in his last 10 ODIs, but averages only 15 against Sri Lanka. Jaker Ali, who averages 52.5 in his last 8 ODIs and scored a fifty in the first match, will bat in the lower middle order.
Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, and Tanzim Hasan Sakib will lead the pace attack, with Tanvir Islam handling spin.
Shanto, Tanzid and Taskin are the key players.
Predicted Lineup: Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Litton Das (wk), Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (c), Jaker Ali, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman.
Sri Lanka will start as slight favourites in the second ODI after a solid all-round performance in the first match. Their batters looked more comfortable in home conditions, especially Charith Asalanka. Asalanka already has a century in the series, and Nissanka has been consistent across formats.
Bangladesh’s bowlers bowled well, but their batting collapsed after a good start. With Litton Das and Mehidy Miraz struggling against Sri Lanka in ODIs, their middle order will be under pressure again.
Sri Lanka’s familiarity with the pitch and a more stable batting unit give them a clear edge going into this match.
