Arjit - Tuesday, Jul 01, 2025SL vs BAN: This ODI series will be an important opportunity for both teams to test their preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Sri Lanka will look to take advantage of their home conditions, while Bangladesh are making a fresh start with young players.
Match: Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh, 1st ODI
Series: Bangladesh tour of Sri Lanka 2025 (3 ODI series)
Date: Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Time (IST): 2:30 PM (14:30 IST) / Local Time (SL): 2:30 PM
Stadium: R. R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Broadcaster (India) TV: Sony Sports Network (Sony Sports Ten 1, Sony Sports Ten 2, Sony Sports Ten 5)
Live Streaming: SonyLiv app and website, FanCode app and website
Live scores: Will be available on Cricbuzz, ESPNcricinfo and other major cricket websites.
Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka have recently won the Test series, which will boost their confidence. Their home record in the ODI format is also strong, they have not lost any ODI series at home since September 2021. The team has openers like Pathum Nissanka and Avishka Fernando, of whom Nissanka is in excellent form. In the middle order, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama (wicketkeeper) and captain Charith Asalanka will provide stability to the team. Spinners like Wanindu Hasaranga, Mahesh Theekshana and Dunith Welalage can play an important role on the spin-friendly pitches of Colombo. Dilshan Madushanka and Asitha Fernando will handle the fast bowling attack. Sri Lanka will look to maintain their strong home record.
Bangladesh: The Bangladesh team is going through a transition phase, with some senior players retiring from the format. Mehidy Hasan Miraz is captaining the side and the squad comprises of young and talented players. Liton Das is making a comeback and Nazmul Hossain Shanto could bat at number three, where he has good figures. Tauheed Hridoy and Zakir Ali will be important in the middle order. Mehidy Hasan Miraz will make important contributions with the ball as well as the bat. Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed and Hasan Mahmud will be the fast bowling options. Bangladesh will look to improve their poor ODI record in Sri Lanka and put up a strong performance with this young team.
Total matches played: 57
Sri Lanka won: 43
Bangladesh won: 12
No result: 2
At R Premadasa Stadium: Sri Lanka 11, Bangladesh 0
In the last 5 matches, Bangladesh has won 3 while Sri Lanka has won 2, which shows that Bangladesh has performed slightly better in recent times. However, Bangladesh has a very poor record at the R Premadasa Stadium, where they have not won any ODI match so far.
The pitch at the R. Premadasa Stadium is traditionally considered to be spinner-friendly. It has not been a high-scoring venue, with the average first innings score being around 233 runs. The team winning the toss usually prefers to bat first, as batting later can be difficult. Out of 176 ODIs, the team batting first has won 96 times, while the team chasing has won 68 times. This shows that a score of 250-260 could be a winning total on this pitch. There is also a 73% chance of rain, so the Duckworth-Lewis rule could also come into play.
Captain/Vice-Captain Choices:
Batters: Pathum Nissanka (SL), Kusal Mendis (SL), Liton Das (BAN), Nazmul Hossain Shanto (BAN).
All-rounders: Wanindu Hasaranga (SL), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (BAN), Charith Aslanka (SL).
Bowlers: Maheesh Theekshana (SL), Mustafizur Rahman (BAN).
From Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka (excellent recent form), Wanindu Hasaranga (wicket-taking spinner and lower-order batsman), Charith Asalanka (captain and important middle-order batsman), Maheesh Theekshana (effective in powerplay and middle overs).
From Bangladesh: Mehidy Hasan Miraz (all-round contribution), Liton Das (returning opener), Tauheed Hridoy (solid middle-order batsman), Taskin Ahmed (key pacer).
Bowlers selection: Given the pitch, focus more on spinners. Spinners like Hasaranga, Theekshana and Dunith Welalage from Sri Lanka, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Rishad Hossain from Bangladesh will be important. Among the pacers, Dilshan Madushanka and Mustafizur Rahman can be good choices.
Wicketkeepers: Kusal Mendis (SL), Liton Das (BAN)
Batsmen: Pathum Nissanka (SL), Charith Aslanka (SL), Najmul Hossain Shanto (BAN), Tauheed Hridoy (BAN)
All-rounders: Wanindu Hasaranga (SL) (Captain), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (BAN) (Vice-Captain)
Bowlers: Mahesh Theekshana (SL), Dilshan Madushanka (SL), Mustafizur Rahman (BAN)
The head-to-head record and Sri Lanka's strong performance on home ground make them favorites in this match. Bangladesh is going through a transition period and it will be challenging for the young team to play in Sri Lankan conditions. Sri Lanka's spinners may dominate on a spinner-friendly pitch.
Our Prediction: Sri Lanka will win this first ODI.
