PRE MATCH ANALYSIS
Follow UsOn recent results, Bangladesh versus Sri Lanka is the epitome of a battle of equals. Since the 2019 World Cup, neither side have lost an ODI at home nor have won a single ODI away. As Bangladesh are the host to the 3-match series beginning on May 23rd (Sunday), this track record tilts the balance in their favour. But, it is not just the home advantage that gives them an edge.
The Build-up
After the ODIs against West Indies at home early this year, Bangladesh will have the services of their best batsman, bowler and all-rounder. The first and last are the same guy with Shakib Al Hasan making a return after opting out of the New Zealand tour from where Bangladesh returned empty-handed. Their best bowler – Mustafizur Rahman – struggled in New Zealand but had glimpses of form in the recent Indian Premier League and would love to carry that forward.
While Bangladesh have their experienced core back, Sri Lanka have moved on from the old guard. In a major revamp, Sri Lanka have promoted Kusal Perera as the captain, while Kusal Mendis – who has not played white-ball cricket since the COVID outbreak – will be Perera’s deputy. With Perera’s appointment, Sri Lanka’s search for a leader in the format continues. He is the ninth player to be at the helm in the past five years.
Despite playing only six out of eleven ODIs post the 2019 World Cup, Mendis is the top run-getter from Sri Lanka in ODIs during this period. This tells us two things. First, the others have seriously underperformed and second, his elevation to a new role is on merit.
The churn has resulted in the ex-captain Dimuth Karunaratne and the only survivor from Sri Lanka cricket’s golden era, Angelo Mathews, being dropped from the side. Accompanying them out of the team is the inconsistent Dinesh Chandimal. The driving force for Karunaratne’s axe has been losses in all five away games – against Pakistan and West Indies – since the World Cup. The three of them have also refused to sign the central contract for the amount offered.
It is not just the batting department that has witnessed an overhaul. In a bid to build the side for the 2023 World Cup, senior pacemen Suranga Lakmal and Nuwan Pradeep faced the ouster while Thisara Perera has retired. The fresh names coming in the mix are the fast-bowler Chamika Karunaratne and two Fernandos - Shiran and Binura. Karunaratne played a Test against Australia in February 2019 and Binura Fernando has played two T20Is against Pakistan back in 2015. None of them has played an ODI before.
Apart from players being dropped, fitness concerns have also led to some exclusions. Avishka Fernando has not travelled with the side on grounds of subpar fitness while Danushka Gunathilaka and Dhananjaya de Silva have reportedly failed the fitness test ahead of the series.
The Contest
Bangladesh’s batting in recent times has followed the traditional ODI pattern. There is a circumspect start to the innings, consolidation in the middle-overs and carnage at the death.
The issue here is that their run-rate in the Powerplay in the past two years have been way lower than any other side. Even while playing at home, Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das have a strike rate of 78.6 and 77.1 in the first 10 overs. The figure is even lower for Nazmul Hossain Shanto, who had a strike rate as low as 59.6 in three games, against Zimbabwe and West Indies, in this phase.
If Bangladesh are to carry the progress made in the 2019 World Cup and keep competing with the big boys, they would want to alter the outdated approach. Shakib replacing Shanto in the side and batting at three will allow the skipper and his partner at the top to bat freely. Chatting with the media ahead of the series, Tamim asked Das and Soumya Sarkar to make most of their potential and start leading from the front. Das has been prolific post the World Cup, averaging 48.38 but Sarkar has struggled to fit into the role and averages 19.29.
With Bangladesh being the host, the contest will be a trial by spin. That is where hosts are at an advantage yet again. Post the 2019 World Cup, their spinners have been the best among all sides.
During their last series at home against West Indies, Shakib Al Hasan made a return to international cricket after serving a ban and was unplayable. His returns in the series were 6/50 in 22.1 overs bowled at an economy of 2.3. Shakib’s partner, Mehidy Hasan has an exceptional economy of 3.6 at home in the last six ODIs.
Sri Lanka too are well-equipped in the spin department. Wanindu Hasaranga is developing into an ace all-rounder. Hasaranga along with Lakshan Sandakan and Akila Dananjaya will ensure that Bangladesh batsmen have to endure quality wrist-spin for the first time since the World Cup.
But, this series has bigger objectives for Sri Lanka. As things stand, Sri Lanka are at the 12th spot of the Men’s World World Cup Super League with -2 points. This puts them well outside the automatic qualification zone which is the first eight spots. Sri Lanka will fly to England in June and play India in July. Considering the tougher assignments to follow, Sri Lanka need to come good against Bangladesh.
To erase the disappointments of the past few years, Sri Lanka cricket needs a fresh start. For that, the first task for the new captain would be to develop a style of play. Sri Lanka bossed the ODI format for long by batting deep and without fear. That has been lost in recent years with issues on and off the field. But, Perera is looking to rub his style off within the team.
"We have to play fearless cricket to win matches," Perera said after being appointed as the captain. "You can't be fearful about losing. If you're worried about your place, you aren't going to give 100%.”
