SL vs BAN Preview | Colombo prepares for series decider as Lanka seek turnaround after Dambulla humbling

Two subcontinent nations with starkly differing cricketing journeys, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are set to add a new chapter to their famed 'Naagin Derby' on July 15 as the third T20I brings down the curtains on a month long all-format tour. The hosts had been reckoned as powerhouses since the very advent of T20 cricket, a label they stamped home by lifting the World Cup in 2014. The Tigers, on the other hand, have failed to taste the same success despite time and again threatening to level up, especially in the limited overs formats of the game. However, Wednesday presents a chance for the side to once more be considered a serious threat, given the T20 World Cup is set to be hosted in this very island in less than six months' time.

From a more myopic view, Bangladesh would be pleased with the return in form of skipper Litton Das who brought up his first T20I half-century in 14 innnings to take home the man of the match honours for a 56-ball 70. The fact that they bowled out the Lions for under 100 in Dambulla is yet another positive, albeit the hosts have time and again showcased a tendency to collapse inexplicably. Reputation is thus at stake for the Lankans, having never lost a T20I series against their cricketing 'juniors', and a home loss would only add salt to the wounds.      

Form Guide

Sri Lanka came into the series having last played a T20I in January, when they had ended up 2-1 losers in a New Year series in New Zealand. However, they began the ongoing assignment with a comfortable seven-wicket win chasing 154 before collapsing to 94 all-out in the second T20I while pursuing 178.

Bangladesh, on the other hand, had lost five matches on the trot heading into the series but now stand a shot at winning their first series since Litton Das became the full-time T20I skipper.

SL:  L W W L L  

BAN:  W L L L L

SL vs BAN Head-to-Head

Bangladesh have fared the best in the shortest format against Sri Lanka, winning seven of their 12 encounters including wins in the Asia Cup. However, none of them have so far culminated in series victory, with the Lions triumphing in all four bilateral affairs.

SL 12-7 BAN

Pitch and Weather

Colombo in recent years has proved to be one of the toughest surfaces to bat on in Sri Lanka, which is quite something given the slow nature of other international decks in the country. 

Team News

Sri Lanka Probable XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Avishka Fernando, Charith Asalanka (c), Dasun Shanaka, Chamia Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Eshan Malinga, Nuwan Thushara 

Bangladesh Probable XI: Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Litton Das (c/ wk), Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed     

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