Tri-series 2018, BAN vs SL, 3rd ODI - Result Predictions

The first ODI tri-series in 2018 is up and running in Bangladesh as the hosts will take on Sri Lanka on Friday in Dhaka. While the Tigers are sitting pretty at the top after trouncing Zimbabwe in the opening game of the tournament, the team from island nation is struggling after losing against the team in red. The close encounter was won by Zimbabwe by just 12 runs with Sri Lanka failing to keep their nerves in the crunch moments.

Shere Bangla National Stadium hosted its 100th ODI a couple of days ago and is set to dish out yet another sporting track. Bangladesh looks a settled side at home and have the capability to beat any team in the conditions they thrive. Mashrafe Mortaza has led his team admirably well and the members always respond well to his instructions. There is a sense of respect towards the skipper and each other with several senior members in the team as they build towards 2019 Cricket World Cup in England.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, slumped to yet another defeat which is not a good news for them. The new coach Chadika Hathurusingha couldn’t change their fortunes as they succumbed under pressure and lost the match against Zimbabwe. They must have got the idea of the conditions now and will look to perform much better than they did in their last match. Though the outfit looked pretty settled under the captaincy of Angelo Mathews and would want to get on the board in the tri-series on Friday to avoid early elimination.

Here is what CricTracker predicts for the game:

Scenario 1: Bangladesh wins the toss

Toss Prediction: Bangladesh will choose to bowl first

First innings score prediction: 260-265

Result prediction: Sri Lanka will win the match by 10-15 runs

Scenario 2: Sri Lanka wins the toss

Toss Prediction: Sri Lanka will choose to bowl first

First innings score prediction: 250-260

Result prediction: Sri Lanka will win the match by 3 wickets

Head to Head Record

Overall: Total Matches – 41, Bangladesh Won – 5, Sri Lanka Won – 34, No Result/ Tie  – 2

Playing Combinations

Bangladesh

The hosts brushed aside the challenge of Zimbabwe the other day and won their first game of the year comprehensively. Their bowling attack looks potent in these conditions but they will rue the missed opportunity to bowl out the opposition after having them on the brink. The spin-bowling attack led by Shakib Al Hasan will concentrate on turning the ball square to keep Lankan batsmen under the lid.

Tamim Iqbal and Anamul Haque will look to provide them with a blazing start for the middle order to capitalise. There is no doubt that they have some world class batters in Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah who can finish the game in the style and also play the long innings if required. Overall, they require another complete performance to gun down Sri Lanka who will surely come hard at them.

Probable XI: Tamim Iqbal, Anamul Haque, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim(wk), Mahmudullah, Nasir Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Mashrafe Mortaza(c), Sunzamul Islam, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka will guide against a wholesale of changes after losing only a single game. Their will be one forced change though with Angelo Mathews being injured once again. Niroshan Dickwella might replace him in the middle-order and also take the gloves. Dinesh Chandimal will lead the side in Mathews’ absence. The time is running out fast for Kusal Mendis who lost yet another chance to score for his team. The talented bunch is time and again not justifying their capabilities and would be eager to stage a stunning fightback to square make this tri-nation series interesting.

For that to happen, their bowlers need to step up to the challenge. They continued to leak the runs at the death and have to come out with a certain plan to counter the attacking batsmen.

Probable XI: Kusal Perera, Upul Tharanga, Kusal Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Dinesh Chandimal(c), Asela Gunaratne, Thisara Perera, Wanidu Hasaranga, Akila Dananjaya, Suranga Lakmal, Dushmantha Chameera

Another close contest is on the cards with the pitch being flat after early help to the seamers. The visitors will play out of their skins to defeat the home side on the day.

The prediction is for Sri Lanka to win the match and set up the tri-nation series nicely.

Do let us know your predictions in the comments section below: