Tigers eye series win
Bangladesh face Sri Lanka in 3rd ODI today
CricketCountry
Bangladesh are on the threshold of achieving yet another significant success in Sri Lanka when they take field in the third and final One-Day International (ODI) at Colombo today, reports CricketCountry. The match will start at 10 am (BST). The visiting side leads the series 1-0, after emerging victorious in the first game and the second one at Dambulla being washed out after first innings play. If Bangladesh manage to beat Sri Lanka in the third ODI or if it gets abandoned, they will complete their maiden ODI series win on Sri Lankan soil. They are now in the pole position, and it will be the hosts Sri Lanka who will have to do all the catching-up.
Sri Lanka find themselves in an unfamiliar position. In the last 31 years, only twice have they not won at least one game in an ODI series at home. The third ODI of the series puts them into that prospective once again. One of their men, who has been a vital figure in Bangladeshs turnaround, believes it wont be easy for Sri Lanka to win the third ODI. Bangladeshs head coach and former Sri Lankan cricketer, Chandika Hathurasingha, stated ahead of the crucial match that his side will sustain the pressure on the hosts.
We are very much confident [of a series win] if we get our processes right, Hathurusingha told the press. I think we will do well against Sri Lanka. They are a very strong team at home. I cant remember a time when they didnt win a single game in a series, so it is a good position we are in. We are 1-0 up so we cant lose the series. They have to play well, and we have to play our best game to come good.
Bangladesh have looked a completely different outfit since their win in the second and final Test, which helped them level the series. The side has grown in confidence since then, and the momentum has certainly been with them in the ODIs. Hathurasingha confirmed the same, saying, When you win, everything looks good. The body language and effort on the field is the biggest change I have seen in the last few matches, after the Galle Test. They had a good one-to-one afterwards, and the boys responded to that very well. In the last game we were a bit lethargic after the first ten overs, but after that they were really good in the heat. However, things are not that bad for Sri Lanka, who posted a potentially winning total of 311 runs on the board in second ODI. Had the match not been called off, things could have been different. Bangladesh did score 324 batting first in the first game, but chasing 312 runs would have required some effort. The washout must be hurting the hosts, but they need to get over and regroup for the crucial third ODI. The positives from the second ODI should keep them in good stead. Kusal Mendis ton, Upul Tharangas fifty and a steady contribution from the middle order helped them get past 300. They would need the same effort in the final game. Besides, they would also want their bowlers to step up in the crucial game. Team news: As of now, there is no injury scare to any side. This means, both the teams are likely to field their preferred XIs. Conditions: All eyes will be on Colombo weather, and the Sri Lankan fans would hope for a full game. Things, however, do not look good for them at the moment. The forecast suggests rain for the match day as well for the entire week in Colombo.
