Sports

Rejuvenate Sri Lanka to face Bangladesh in final today

Bangladesh take on visiting Sri Lanka in final of the triangular ODI series scheduled to be held on Saturday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium at Mirpur.

The match kicks off at 12 pm, reports BSS.

Ahead of the final match, Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza thinks that their dismal performance in the last match against Sri Lanka would not affect their performance as they would remain positive in the final. 

It is good sign for the team as apart from the last match opener Tamim Iqbal and all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan have been contributing for their side and the Tigers' fans hoped their heroes would again flare up in the final against Sri Lanka. 

Dashing Opener Tamim Iqbal showed his excellent form with scoring 84 runs in the first two matches and also scored 76 runs in the third match but failed to click in the last match where Bangladesh badly suffered a 10 wickets defeat. Ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is superb with both his batting and bowling so far in the series.

Bowlers also have been doing their job so far. Bowling sensation Mustafizur Rahman needs one more dismissal to complete 50 wickets in ODIs. If he gets it in this match, he will be the sixth fastest bowler to the milestone (alongside Shane Warne and Matt Henry), and by a distance the fastest Bangladesh bowler.

“We want to remain position against Sri Lanka in the title-deciding final match of the triangular ODI series,” said Bangladesh ODI skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza while speaking at a pre-match press conference held on Friday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. 

Mashrafe said they want to remain positive despite a dismal team’s performance in the last match against Sri Lanka. He admitted that they have also failed to come up with strong reply when Sri Lanka played aggressive cricket and how they bowled in the last match. 

On the other hand, Sri Lankan skipper Dinesh Chandimal found more confident after their thumping victory against Bangladesh.

He said the win against Bangladesh boosted their confidence level and they concentrates to play good cricket rather than the result of the final.

We have adapted some new techniques after our new coach took the charge of the team. We have confidence on coach and we are more confident than before we are not thinking about the result rather we are thinking how to play better cricket, said the Lankan skipper. 

Commenting about Bangladesh, the Sri Lankan skipper said Bangladesh is good side having some good players. The Sri Lankan captain said the thing which we have to do to implement the proper plans against them in the final to win the match.

Bangladesh Squad:- Tamim Iqbal, Anamul Haque, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Sabbir Rahman, Nasir Hossain, Mashrafe Mortaza, Sunzamul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Abul Hasan, Mehidy Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mohammad Mithun and Imrul Kayes.

Sri Lanka Squad:- Upul Tharanga, Kusal Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella, Dinesh Chandimal, Asela Gunaratne, Thisara Perera, Akila Dananjaya, Suranga Lakmal, Lakshan Sandakan, Nuwan Pradeep, Dushmantha Chameera, Shehan Madushanka, Wanidu Hasaranga, Dhananjaya de Silva and Danushka Gunathilaka.