Sri Lanka win toss, bat against Bangladesh in ODI decider

COLOMBOS: Sri Lanka skipper Charith Asalanka won the toss and elected to bat against Bangladesh in the third and deciding one-day international in Pallekele on Tuesday.

The series is level at 1-1 after Sri Lanka won the opener by 77 runs but Bangladesh bounced back with a 16-run victory in the second match.

The hosts come in unchanged for the decider.

Bangladesh have made one change with Taskin Ahmed returning to the team after being rested in the previous match. He comes in place of fellow quick Hasan Mahmud.

Bangladesh’s leading batter Najmul Hossain Shanto was cleared to play the game after passing a fitness test. Shanto hurt his quadriceps while fielding during the second ODI.

Teams

Sri Lanka: Nishan Madushka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (capt), Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando.

Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shamim Hossain, Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (capt), Jaker Ali (wk), Tanzim Hasan, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed.

Umpires: Allahuddien Paleker (RSA), Raveendra Wimalasiri (SRI)

TV umpire: Asif Yaqoob (PAK)

Match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)

Meahwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) within the day unveiled a 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20 International series against Bangladesh, scheduled to begin on July 20 in Dhaka.

All-rounder Salman Ali Agha will lead the team. Vice-captain Shadab Khan and pacer Haris Rauf have been ruled out due to injuries.

Shadab, recovering from a persistent shoulder injury, recently underwent successful surgery in the UK and will need several weeks of rehab.

Meanwhile, Haris Rauf sustained a Grade 1 hamstring injury during a Major League Cricket (MLC) match in the US, where he was playing for the San Francisco Unicorns.

Pakistan will reach Dhaka on July 16, with all three matches to be held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on July 20, 22, and 24.

Earlier this year in May, Pakistan hosted Bangladesh and secured a 3-0 whitewash in the home T20I series.

PAKISTAN SQUAD

Salman Ali Agha (capt), Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Sufyan Moqim.

MATCH SCHEDULE

July 16 – Team arrives in Dhaka

July 20 – 1st T20I, Dhaka (6 PM local)

July 22 – 2nd T20I, Dhaka (6 PM local)

July 24 – 3rd T20I, Dhaka (6 PM local)