Sports Reporter :
Bangladesh will face Sri Lanka in the third, last and crucial One Day International (ODI) match at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram, the port city of the country today. Najmul Hossain Shanto will lead Bangladesh as the captain, while Kusal Mendis will lead Sri Lanka as the skipper.
The three-match ODI series-decider will start at 10:00am (Bangladesh Standard Time). Private satellite channel GTV, private satellite sports channel T Sports will telecast the match live.
The ODI series was locked 1-1. The winning team of the today’s match will clinch the ODI series 2-1.
The Tigers made an auspicious start thrashing Sri Lanka by six wickets in the first ODI at the same venue on March 13.
Later, Sri Lanka took a sweet revenge as the Islanders defeated the hosts by three wickets in the second ODI at the same venue on March 15.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has included Jaker Ali, while opener Litton Das was dropped. Besides, Promising pacer Tanzim Hasan was ruled out from the squad as he got injury when he was taking part in the practice session at the match venue on Sunday. Thus, the in-form pacer was ruled out from the squad. The BCB included pacer Hasan Mahmud.
Prolific all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz spoke to the journalists in the pre-match press conference at the match venue on Sunday.
Miraz said, ” I have tried to give feedback to Captain of Bangladesh Cricket team Najmul Hossain shanto to urge to the umpire for DRS (Decision Review System). Not only me all of our teammates inspired Shanto to take DRS. Shanto used to take my advice most.”
The friendship between Shanto and Miraz has passed almost twelve years. Shanto and Miraz started their career from age group cricket teams of Bangladesh. Shanto played ICC Under-19 World Cup Cricket under captaincy of Miraz. Now-a-days Miraz has played under captaincy of Shanto.
Miraz said, ” All of us have helped Shanto to take vital decisions. Mushfiq Bhai, Riyad Bhai, Litton Dada have given support to Shanto during the matches. I used to discuss about bowling and take suggestions when I do bowling. We also discussed the fielding setup of Bangladesh players. He used to speak with everybody and it is his quality.”
Bangladesh ODI squad : Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Anamul Haque Bijoy, Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Jaker Ali and Hasan Mahmud.
Sri Lanka ODI squad: Kusal Mendis (Captain), Charith Asalanka (Vice-Captain), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Sahan Arachchige, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Akila Dananjaya, Chamika Karunaratne, Dilshan Madushanka, Pramod Madushan and Lahiru Kumara.