FANTASY
Follow UsSri Lanka and Bangladesh have followed a similar trajectory since the 2019 World Cup. Neither side have lost an ODI at home nor have won a single ODI away. This puts Bangladesh as favourites going into the series. More so as a curtailed IPL ensured the availability of their main players: Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have dropped most of their senior players and will go in with a new captain, ninth in the last five years: Kusal Perera. Given the churn in Sri Lanka’s squad it is tricky to nail down a probable XI hence do check out the team after the toss to finalize your fantasy side.
Ground Details and Team Combination
Going by the recent track record, the Shere Bangla Stadium in Mirpur, which is the host to all three ODIs is a haven for spinners. In the two ODIs between the hosts and West Indies earlier this year, spinners took 17 of the 26 wickets to fall at this venue. In low scoring affairs, West Indies tumbled for 122 and 148 in the two games.
Though one can expect the pitch to have more runs than that, it will be prudent to fill your fantasy side with spinners from both sides. Shakib Al Hasan and Wanindu Hasaranga are must haves. The decision on Akila Dananjaya and Lakshan Sandakan can be taken after the toss.
Also, there are concerns about the fitness of Dhanajaya de Silya and Danushka Gunathilaka. Hence we have not included them in our suggested side. If they play, they are among the favoured players to perform.
Suggested Team 
While you could go for the above team, you also have the option of choosing your own team from Cricket.com’s Fantasy Research Centre. Based on algorithms, we have come up with one team.
Captain Suggestion
It will be unwise to look beyond Shakib Al Hasan as the choice of the captain. Not just on ability but also the opportunities he will get in both departments to earn points. Bangladesh skipper, Tamim Iqbal, has confirmed that he will bat at three and hence will get a chance to play a big innings. With the ball, he was unplayable against West Indies earlier at home this year. His returns in the series were 6/50 in 22.1 overs bowled at an economy of 2.3.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts Shakib could score 25-37 runs and get 1-2 wickets in this match
X-Factors
Despite playing only six out of eleven ODIs for Sri Lanka post the 2019 World Cup, Kusal Mendis is the leading run-getter for them in this period. Though he has not played an ODI since the COVID outbreak but being the vice-captain of the side might bring the best in him and can lead to big runs. He is also projected to be among the top scorers in the match as per Criclytics.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts Mendis could score 49-73 runs in this match
Ashen Bandara was among the consistent batsmen for Sri Lanka in the recent series against West Indies. He finished the series as their third-highest run-getter. Though he batted at six then, his performance and the absence of senior players might give him a promotion in the batting order against Bangladesh.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts Bandara could score 26-40 runs in this match
Mustafizur Rahman had a tough time in New Zealand but demonstrated glimpses of good form in the IPL. He is also the leading wicket-taker for Bangladesh post the 2019 World Cup. Even if the pitch is conducive to spin, Rahman’s cutters will make him effective and is sure to get wickets while bowling at the death.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts Rahman could pick 0-1 wickets in this match
