Bangladesh aim for sweep as Sri Lanka continue search for first CWCSL points
Overview
Bangladesh v Sri Lanka
Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur
28 May 2021; 1300 local, 0700 GMT
More importantly for Sri Lanka, the onus will be on the team to get their first points on board in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Super League. They have so far played five matches, and have lost all of them.
Bangladesh, meanwhile, are in enviable form. Their victory in the second ODI pushed them to the top of the CWCSL table, and the hosts are primed to sweep Sri Lanka.
The hosts have rode on the good form of Mushfiqur Rahim, who rose into the top 15 in the MRF Tyres ICC Men's ODI Rankings for batsmen in the latest update on Wednesday. It was his knock of 125 off 127 deliveries that guided Bangladesh to a comfortable win in the second ODI, and he'll once again be key in the final match of the series.
But the primary concern for Sri Lanka will be countering Bangladesh's bowling attack – Mehidy Hasan, the off-spinner, has so far taken seven wickets in the series, and on Wednesday became the No.2-ranked bowler in the MRF Tyres ICC Men's ODI Rankings. Mustafizur Rahman, who also rose into the top 10, has been another threat, picking up six wickets in two matches.
Sri Lanka will be hoping for an improved performance with the bat – it'll be key to them securing their first CWCSL points.
Mushfiqur Rahim has broken into the top 15 of @MRFWorldwide ICC Men’s ODI Player Rankings for batting after his stunning performance in the first two #BANvSL ODIs 🔥
— ICC (@ICC) May 26, 2021
Full rankings: https://t.co/tHR5rKl2SH pic.twitter.com/6li8uzIzZa
Remember the last time
Mushfiqur Rahim smashed a magnificent ton and stitched together an important partnership with Mahmudullah to help Bangladesh post a competitive 246.
Bangladesh's bowlers then restricted Sri Lanka, with Mehidy Hasan and Mustafizur claiming three wickets each while Shakib Al Hasan took two wickets, propelling the hosts to a 103-run victory on the DLS method.
What they said
Tamim Iqbal (Bangladesh captain): "We haven't played the perfect game yet. We haven't nailed the perfect performance yet. We had to step up our fielding, and the catches we didn't take ... those will change games. If we take those then I'll be a happy captain."
Kusal Perera (Sri Lanka captain): "It's very disappointing. Both matches, the middle order collapsed and lack of experience cost us. We need to have a serious talk. They have to (get) back and believe in their strength and play fearless cricket."