High riding Sri Lanka under glare against Bangladesh today

Sri Lanka Captain Charith Asalanka and Bangladesh skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz with LG Abans trophy that will be presented to winner of three-match ODI series

• New ICC rule on number of balls per ODI innings comes into play

One team is coming with four series wins at home under their belt and the other with two back-to-back series defeats away from home when Sri Lanka meets Bangladesh in the first of three ODIs at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium under lights today.

The renaissance of Sri Lanka’s ODI side is something to admire and that is why they are sitting at number 4 in the ICC rankings in comparison to Bangladesh who are 10th. With such a reputation, a lot will be expected from Sri Lanka to beat Bangladesh and win the series. It’s a new series and Sri Lanka must make a fresh start and see if they can continue to do the good things that saw them getting elevated. 

“When we play against any opponent there is always pressure but no special pressure although we are ranked higher,” said Sri Lanka’s ODI skipper Charith Asalanka. “What we look at it is whatever the opposition, we play according to our plans and to do the basics right.”

“Our main aim is to be in the top 3. We are currently in the top 4. We are confident with our performance achieved in the recent past, but we still have a long way to go.”

Asalanka said the team balance will be unchanged and they will be playing six batsmen, one bowling all-rounder and four bowlers.

“We have to decide between playing a spin all-rounder or a fast bowling all-rounder. The fight is between them. Fast bowling all-rounder Milan Rathnayake who has recovered from a side strain that kept him out of the second Test against Bangladesh is fit and there’s a good chance of him playing,” said Asalanka.

For this series the new ICC Playing Conditions will come into play especially the number of balls per ODI innings.

The new playing condition states: “Two new balls will be used for the first 34 overs of an ODI innings, after which the fielding team will choose one of the balls for the remaining overs.”

“I think they have brought the rule to give some assistance to the fast bowlers. We have to decide after 34 overs which balls we will go with. It’s new to us and we are looking to do the right thing from the beginning,” said Asalanka.

One of the reasons for Sri Lanka’s success in the ODI format was their top and middle order batting showing form. One drop batter Kusal Mendis, opener Pathum Nissanka and Asalanka in the middle order scored heavily during the 2024 calendar year finishing one, two, three, in the list of leading run-getters with more than 600 runs each. Asalanka’s consistency over the years sees him ranked within the top 10 in the Men’s ODI rankings at 8th.

“Everyone has personal goals. I want to become one ranked in ODIs. What has been achieved is history. I always look forward to the next game that is why I think I have been successful.”

As regards the pitch for today’s game Asalanka reckons it will be batting friendly than the pitches prepared for the series against Australia which assisted spin and seam.

The match will be played under new lights installed at the stadium to which Asalanka said, “Fielding and batting the lights are bright, I don’t know how the ball will behave under the lights.”

With seniors like Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Mahmudullah unavailable, Bangladesh’s new ODI Captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz said that this series is a good opportunity to rebuild the side for the next Cricket World Cup which is two years away. 

“We will miss the seniors. For many years they have been amazing for us. But this can happen when players have had long careers,” said Mehidy.

“It’s a good opportunity for the younger players who are in the squad. We have enough time to rebuild our side. Some of the players have an opportunity to establish themselves. There is plenty of time in our hands to get our combination right for the next World Cup. That’s what we are working on.”