SL vs Ban - 2nd ODI Sri Lanka look to wrap up series against Bangladesh today

Sri Lanka players during training (Visuals Credit: SLC)

The stakes are high today as Bangladesh face off against Sri Lanka in the second ODI of the three-match series at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The hosts currently lead the series 1-0 after a dominant 77-run victory in the opening ODI and will be eager to seal the series with another strong performance.

In the first ODI, Charith Asalanka’s century laid the foundation for Sri Lanka’s total of 244. The bowling unit, led by spinners Wanindu Hasaranga, Kamindu Mendis, and Maheesh Theekshana, then dismantled Bangladesh’s batting line-up with clinical precision, sharing eight wickets and triggering a collapse that saw the visitors bowled out for 167.

Bangladesh had their moments, especially with the ball. Taskin Ahmed and Tanzim Hasan Sakib were impressive, claiming four and three wickets respectively to limit Sri Lanka’s scoring. With the bat, they looked in control at 100/1 in the 17th over, but an extraordinary collapse saw them lose seven wickets for just five runs, a phase from which they never recovered. Tanzid Hasan’s fluent half-century and Jaker Ali’s fighting fifty were rare positives in an otherwise disappointing outing for the visitors. The rest of the middle and lower order failed to reach double digits, raising serious questions about their ability to handle pressure in crunch situations.

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will look to continue their winning run and close out the series on home soil. With their spinners in form and the top order stepping up, they appear well-positioned to do so.

For Bangladesh, today is about survival. A loss will hand Sri Lanka the series, but a win could shift the momentum ahead of the final ODI.

(Agencies)