It was one all in the Joy Bangla Cup two matches test series. Sri Lanka outplayed Bangladesh at Galle. Bangladesh brilliantly bounced back at Colombo winning smartly its 100 test match and squared the series. Two evenly matched teams will now appear in three matches ODI series which promises witnessing sea saw encounters. ODI is the forte of Bengal tigers off late. Sri Lanka in the recent past started rebuilding post Dilshan, Sangrakara and Jayawardene era. The win in the test must have given shot in the arms to the tigers.  But Lankan lions have depth and diversity in their ODI line up for making the tussle memorable. Meantime both teams have announced the squad.

Sri Lanka ODI Squad
Upal Tharanga (Captain), NiroshanDickwella, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis.Asela Gunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Janith Perera, DanushkaGunathilake, SurangaLakmal, LahiruKumara, Vikum Sanjaya Bandara, ThisaraPerera, SachithPathirana, Seekkuge Prassanna and Lakshan Sandakan

Bangladesh Squad:
Mashrafe Mortaza (captain), Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim (wicket keeper), Nurul Hasan, Sabbir Rahman, Shuvagata Hom, Subashis Roy, Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Mosaddek Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Shakib Al Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Sunzamul Islam, Taskin Ahmed

Bangladesh needs to keep in mind that Pakistan is breathing on the neck in ODI ranking, West Indies is also not too far. A win against Sri Lanka will not only make us clear but also will close the gap with Sri Lanka and England in the ranking.

Bangladesh team management will be in sweet dilemma how to select the playing eleven for the first ODI.The main point of discussion would be whether going with four pacers and Shakib as the only specialized spinner. Mahmudullah and Mosaddeq can be spinning option in 8 batsman squad. Soumya being in peak form and his aggressive attitude with the bat early on puts him ahead of Kayes for the opening partnership with Tamim. Shabbir in recent times at number three has served well. Number four to six is well settled with Mahmudullah, Shakib and Mushfique. We think Mosaddeq will be preferred over Shabhagato hom at number seven. Mashrafee, Taskin, Mustafiz and Subhashish /Rubel will make the team. There is no reason to believe that Mahmudullah cannot regain form and confidence after being rested in the Colombo test. He is one of the most consistent ODI batsman for Bangladesh in the recent past. He cannot be dismissed so early. Kayes will have to wait unfortunately. Playing Mushfique as wicket keeper would allow Mosaddeq getting into the team and adding one additional pacer. In that case Sohan has to wait for his turn. Mushfique has taken some brilliant catches in the second innings of Colombo test. He plays comfortably when he keeps well.

Bangladesh with three or four pacers would pose greater challenge to little less experienced Sri Lanka batting. Mashrafee is still a past master with new ball. Very accurate and very intelligent with early movement. He may share new ball with wonder boy Mustafiz leaving Taskin and Rubel attacking the early middle order. Shakib , Mahmudullah and if necessary Modsaddeq and Shabbir can cater spinning department. Would have liked to see Mehedi Miraj retained in the team in place of Shubhagato. Miraj has already proved as a quality all-rounder. We are not sure why he is not there.

The key will be still senior pros Tamim, Shakib , Mahmudullah and Mushfique batting with responsibility. Soumya , Shabbir and Mossadeq are till maturing and are expected making mistakes. The bowling unit we believe can defend 270 plus scores. A series win for Bangladesh is not improbable. But we hope that Bangladesh would get over the joys of winning the 100 th test before the series commences on 25 th March yet another red letter day of Bangladesh history. The first matches of the ODI series between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will take place on 25th March, 28th March and 1st April. The first and second ODI will take place at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, while the third match will be held at Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo.

BDST: 1123 HRS, MAR 21, 2017
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