Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh: The cricketing rivalry between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh is set to reignite as the two Asian nations clash in the 1st One-Day International of the Bangladesh tour of Sri Lanka 2025. This highly anticipated encounter will take place on Wednesday, July 2nd, at the iconic R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. With Sri Lanka riding high on confidence after their recent Test series victory, and Bangladesh looking to make a fresh start under new ODI leadership, fans can expect a captivating contest.
Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh Match Details
Match Preview: A New Chapter for Bangladesh, Home Dominance for Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka enters this ODI series with momentum on their side, having secured a 1-0 win in the preceding Test series. Led by Charith Asalanka in the ODI format, the home side will be keen to extend their dominance. The return of key players like Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana significantly bolsters their spin attack, which is often a decisive factor on Sri Lankan pitches. Their batting unit, featuring the in-form Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, and Sadeera Samarawickrama, appears robust and capable of posting competitive totals. Sri Lanka has an impressive home ODI record, remaining unbeaten in a series since September 2021.
On the other hand, Bangladesh is undergoing a transitional phase in their white-ball cricket. Mehidy Hasan Miraz takes over the ODI captaincy from Najmul Hossain Shanto, marking a new era for the Tigers. With several experienced players having recently retired from the format, a young and talented squad will be looking to make their mark. Despite their recent Test series loss, Bangladesh possesses a strong pace attack featuring Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed, along with the all-round capabilities of their new captain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz. They will be eager to bounce back and prove their mettle in the 50-over format.
Historically, Sri Lanka has a significant edge over Bangladesh in ODIs, winning 43 out of 57 encounters. However, Bangladesh has shown resilience in recent times, winning three of the last five ODIs between the two sides. An interesting statistic to note is Bangladesh’s struggling record at the R. Premadasa Stadium, where they are yet to register an ODI victory against Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh Pitch Report and Weather Forecast
The R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo is known for its balanced pitch, offering something for both batsmen and bowlers. While batters can play their shots freely on a surface with good bounce, pacers might find some early assistance. As the game progresses, the pitch tends to break down, bringing spinners into play who can extract sharp turn. The average first-innings score at this venue is around 225-231 runs, and captains often prefer batting first, as chasing can be challenging.
The weather forecast for Wednesday, July 2nd, in Colombo predicts partly cloudy conditions with a low chance of rain (around 25-30%). Temperatures are expected to range between 29-31°C, providing ideal cricketing conditions for a full 50-over match.
Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh Dream11 Prediction and Fantasy Tips
Given the pitch conditions and team strengths, a balanced Dream11 team with a mix of in-form batsmen, all-rounders, and spinners would be ideal.
Key Players to Watch:
- Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Kusal Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana.
- Bangladesh: Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Litton Das, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Towhid Hridoy.
Captain and Vice-Captain Choices:
- Captain: Mehidy Hasan Miraz (BAN) – A consistent all-rounder and new captain, he will be motivated to lead from the front with both bat and ball.
- Vice-Captain: Wanindu Hasaranga (SL) – A proven match-winner with his leg-spin and explosive batting, especially effective on spin-friendly tracks.
- Other options: Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka.
Suggested Dream11 Team (tentative):
- Wicket-keepers: Kusal Mendis (SL), Litton Das (BAN)
- Batsmen: Pathum Nissanka (SL), Najmul Hossain Shanto (BAN), Charith Asalanka (SL)
- All-rounders: Mehidy Hasan Miraz (BAN – C), Wanindu Hasaranga (SL – VC), Dunith Wellalage (SL)
- Bowlers: Maheesh Theekshana (SL), Taskin Ahmed (BAN), Mustafizur Rahman (BAN)
Tips:
- Consider picking more spinners, especially from the Sri Lankan side, given the nature of the R. Premadasa pitch.
- All-rounders who can contribute with both bat and ball will be crucial for fantasy points.
- Keep an eye on the toss, as batting first might be advantageous.
