A new-look Bangladesh side began their ODI journey under Mehidy Hasan Miraz with a significant toss result as Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka chose to bat first in the opening match of the three-game series at the R. Premadasa Stadium.
The match marks a turning point for Bangladesh cricket. For the first time in 20 years and 331 ODIs, the team is playing without any of their famed ‘Panchapandabs’—Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Mahmudullah Riyad. The last time all five were absent from a Bangladesh ODI was on 4 September 2005, also at the same Colombo venue.
Now, in 2025, Mehidy leads a side undergoing transition, with several young faces taking the spotlight. Among them, left handed batter Parvez Hossain Emon and left-arm spinner Tanvir Hossain were handed their ODI debuts.
Emon has already featured in 12 T20Is, scoring 200 runs at a strike rate of 140, including a century and a fifty. Tanvir, on the other hand, has taken four wickets in six T20Is at an economy rate of 8.00.
Bangladesh’s rebuild follows a period of disappointment, including an early exit from the Champions Trophy. Now, with the 2027 World Cup in sight, the Tigers are using this series to test new combinations and reset their white-ball ambitions. Players like Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, and Tawhid Hridoy are expected to carry the batting load, while Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed remain central to the pace attack.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, come into the series with confidence despite missing out on Champions Trophy qualification. With home advantage and a well-rounded squad led by Asalanka, the Lankans will look to assert dominance early. Their spin trio of Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, and Dunith Wellalage poses a major threat, while the batting order—featuring Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis—is well-settled.
The pitch at Premadasa is expected to aid spin, though Asalanka believes it’s still largely batting-friendly. Overhead, the Colombo skies remain cloudy with chances of rain, and chasing under lights could become easier as the day progresses.
Playing XIs:
Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon (On Debut), Najmul Hossain Shanto, Litton Das (WK), Tawhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (C), Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanvir Islam (On Debut), Tanzim Hasan Sakib.
Sri Lanka: Nishan Madushka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (WK), Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (C), Janith Liyanage, Milan Rathnayake (On Debut), Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando.