Bangladesh set Sri Lanka to chase 258 in first ODI

Bangladesh scored 257 for six in their stipulated 50 overs against Sri Lanka in the opening game of the three-match one-day Internationals at the Mirpur National Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Three senior batsmen Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah scored 52, 84 and 54 runs respectively.

The host Captain Tamim Iqbal opted to bat first after winning the toss.

The Tigers are bolstered with the return of all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan who missed the side’s limited over series in New Zealand and a two-match Test series in Sri Lanka.

Alongside him, fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was also back in the side after missing the test series in Sri Lanka.

All-rounder Afif Hossain is chosen over Mahedi Hasan, who played Bangladesh’s last ODI series against New Zealand.

Sri Lanka came to the series with a relatively young side with Kusal Perera handing the captaincy role. Sri Lanka has an impasse with the board over the central contract issues but Perera made it clear they won’t let the deadlock affect their performance as they are keen to win this series.

The series is important for both of the teams with the 2023 World Cup qualification in mind.

It is particularly important for Sri Lanka who was swept 3-0 in their only series of ICC ODI Super League against West Indies.

Bangladesh is in sixth position with 30 points, after beating West Indies at home by 3-0 and losing the away series against New Zealand by the same margin.

Line Ups:

Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal (Captain), Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Mithun, Mahmudullah, Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mohammad Saifuddin, Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman

Sri Lanka: Kusal Perera (C), Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunathilaka, Dhananjaya De Silva, Pathum Nissanka, Dasun Shanaka, Ashen Bandara, Wanindu Hasaranga, Isuru Udana, Dushmantha Chameera and Lakshan Sandakan.