The ODI series between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh began with the hosts giving Lasith Malinga a fitting farewell in the opening match. Having clinched the Sri Lanka will now be aiming at a clean-sweep in the final match which the board has decided to dedicate to Nuwan Kulasekara who had announced his international retirement recently. Kulasekara will be honoured at a ceremony three-match series with a convincing victory in the second game registering their first series victory at home in 44 months.
While Kusal Perera and Lasith Malinga were the stars of the 91-run win in the first ODI, Sri Lanka came up with a collective effort in the second game - a clinical performance in all departments. With the bowlers also being on the mark, Sri Lanka have little to worry about heading into the third game of the series. On the other hand, Bangladesh have several issues that they need to sort out. On the batting front, Mushfiqur Rahim has been waging lone battles, coming up with fighting half-centuries in both games, while the rest of the batsmen haven't done anything noteworthy thus far in the series (Sabbir Rahman's 60 in the first match being an exception).
Lack of partnerships, inconsistent bowling, and below-par fielding; the energy that made Bangladesh a force to reckon with in 50-over cricket, has been lacking in this series. Doing the basics right can be a cliched term in cricket, but that's exactly what Bangladesh need to do - show application in each department - as they seek a consolation win.
Shamim Kabir died on Monday at the age of 74. Bangladesh Cricket Team will wear black arm bands as a mark of respect to the country’s first cricket captain during the third and final ODI against Sri Lanka. An opening batsman and wicket-keeper, Shamim Kabir played in 15 first class matches between 1961 and 1969 for different teams including East Pakistan, East Zone and Dacca University.