Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, 3rd ODI Tips & Preview - Visitors Eye Glory In ODI Series After Clinching The T20 Series

By Nikhil Kalro

16 Mar 2024

Nikhil Kalro 16 Mar 2024

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Bangladesh and Sri Lanka clash for supremacy in 50-over cricket.
Litton from Bangladesh needs to show better performance.
Sri Lanka's Nissanka and Asalanka fight back for Sri Lanka, setting stage for thrilling decider.

Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga delivers a ball (Getty Images).

The series between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka has so far been one big dogfight for supremacy.

Litton needs to repay the faith
All-round Hasaranga lends teeth to Sri Lanka’s line-up
Tips and Predictions

Bangladesh at home are a formidable force in 50-overs cricket, and you saw the extent of domination in the first ODI which they won by six wickets. Sri Lanka are rebuilding from the chaos and embarrassment that reigned in the aftermath of their World Cup campaign.

Under pressure, with the series on the line, they found two heroes in Pathum Nissanka and Charith Asalanka, who hit 114 and 91, respectively, to help chase down 287. This sets it up tantalizingly for the decider.

Litton needs to repay the faith

Litton needs to fire for Bangladesh at the top of the order. He has two ducks in a tow, including three in his last five innings. For one of the better stroke makers who can be a joy to watch when in song, this frustrating sequence of scores at a time when Bangladesh are looking at every opportunity with an eye on the World Cup, albeit the T20 format, hasn’t helped.

He is yet to pass 50 plus in his last 10 ODI knocks. He had an underwhelming World Cup, where he managed just two half-centuries. His 2022 form was imperious, but 2023 and the start of 2024 has been anything but. The team management and selectors have continued to show the faith. He need to repay it soon.

All-round Hasaranga lends teeth to Sri Lanka’s line-up

Sri Lanka were in choppy waters at 43 for 3 when Nissanka and Asalanka joined hands. The middle order has been suspect for a while, and another wicket would’ve put them in deep strife. The two combined to add 185. Yet, from 228 for 3, they slumped to 251 for 7. It needed some resilience from Wanindu Hasaranga and Dunith Wellalage to see them home.

They took the game deep and then found their hitting range under pressure, with Hasaranga hitting two sixes and a four in the space of five deliveries to kill the game. Hasaranga’s return from injury has lent not just more teeth with the bowling, but with the batting too.

Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, 3rd ODI - Tips & Predictions

Sri Lanka can smell blood. They’re keen to make up for lost time. They have mavericks capable of putting in a dream performance to take them over the line. They won the ODIs, don’t be surprised if they clinch the T20Is too. Bank on them to take the series.