Published on: Jul 2, 2025 11:42 am IST | Updated on: Jul 2, 2025 11:42 am IST
After a fairly hard-fought 2-match Test series, which went in favor of the hosts, Sri Lanka 1-0, it’s time to move on to the 50-over format. Sri Lanka is all set to host Bangladesh in a 3-match ODI series starting on July 2 at the iconic R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Bangladesh will be under the leadership of the newly appointed skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz, whereas Sri Lanka will be led by Charith Asalanka. In this post, we have come up with free expert tips for the 2nd SL vs BAN Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo.
Sri Lanka is one of the most improved sides in ODI cricket. Although they didn’t qualify for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, they won an ODI series at home against the mighty Aussies at home prior to the ICC marquee event. The captain-coach duo of Charith Asalanka and Sanath Jayasuriya has done wonders for Sri Lankan cricket in recent times in the ODI format. For Bangladesh, it is the dawn of a new era with Mehidy Hasan Miraz as the new skipper and recent ODI retirements of stalwarts Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah. Therefore, heading into this fixture, the hosts, Sri Lanka, will start as favorites. Let’s continue with the post and find out the best cricket tips for the SL vs BAN 1st ODI at Colombo.
SL: 58% win chance BAN: 42% win chance
Sri Lanka's wicket-keeper batter has been brilliant in recent times. In his last 9 ODI games, the swashbuckling right-hander has scored 454 runs at a scintillating average of 64.86.
The Sri Lankan skipper Charith Asalanka scored a brilliant hundred in the last ODI he played against Australia ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy. The left-hander has scored 330 runs in his last 10 ODIs at an average of 47.14.
The Bangladesh skipper will be crucial with both bat and ball. Talking about his recent form, the all-rounder has scored 323 runs in his last 10 ODIs at an average of 32.3. Not only with the bat, he has a knack of picking up wickets with the ball as well.
Theekshana will be the premier spinner for SL in this match. In the last 9 ODIs, Theekshana has scalped 19 wickets at an economy of 4.41.
Check out our prediction for the SL vs BAN 1st ODI at the R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.
Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have had a storied rivalry in ODI cricket. Sri Lanka has won 43 games out of 57 played between these two sides, but in recent times, Bangladesh have had a slight upper hand against the 1996 ODI World Cup winners with a scoreline of 3-2 in the last 5 meetings.
After decimating Bangladesh in the 2nd Test comprehensively, the hosts, Sri Lanka, will start as favorites in the 1st ODI as well. The team looks settled with almost all the bases covered. In the last year or so, Sri Lanka has been quite a dominating force. They have beaten India, West Indies, New Zealand, and most recently Australia at home, and the series win over the mighty Aussies was a 2-0 whitewash.
The team has made some changes in the pace bowling unit, with the out-of-form pace quartet of Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Kumara, Matheesha Pathirana, and Nuwan Thushara missing out to make way for the more impressive Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando, and Dilshan Madhushanka. With the spin department led by the duo of Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesha Theekshana, the team looks solid with this pace attack and is raring to go in this series.
After the ODI retirements of senior pros Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim and the unavailability of Shakib-al-Hassan, Bangladesh cricket, particularly in ODIs, is in a transition phase. All-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz will be leading this new-look team for the first time and has the added load of performing with both bat and ball.
So, what does this restructured Bangladesh team bring to the table? Well, they would be hoping to get their recent stats better. Having lost 8 of their last 11 ODIs in 2024, the team’s recent form is on a downward spiral, and putting up a spirited performance against Sri Lanka in their backyard will be a tough pill to swallow for the inexperienced Bangladesh outfit.
While Bangladesh is seeking to fill the void left by the senior batters Mahmudullah and Musfiqur Rahim, at the same time, they need to improve their recent ODI records. A tough task for sure, but it would be interesting to see what the new skipper, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, brings to the fore with his tactics and approach in this match and series. Let’s move ahead and check the cricket tips.
Matches Played: 57 SL won: 43 BAN won: 12 No Result: 2 RECENT form BANGLADESH: L L L L NR RECENT form SRI LANKA: L L W W W
A total of 57 times these two sides have locked horns in ODI cricket. The hosts, Sri Lanka, have 43 wins to their name, whereas Bangladesh has won only 12 matches, and 2 matches ended in a no result. The rivalry has been a one-sided one in favor of Sri Lanka. However, in the last 5 ODI meetings between these two sides, Bangladesh has the slight upper hand with 3 wins.
How will the two teams, i.e., Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh, fare in the 1st ODI? Let’s take a look.
Nishan Madushka/Avishka Fernando, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (WK), Charith Asalanka (C), Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Eshan Malinga/Dilshan Madushanka, Asitha Fernando
Tanzid Hasan, Litton Das (WK), Mohammad Naim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (C), Jaker Ali, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Nahid Rana
Here’s the pitch and weather report for the 1st ODI match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at the R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo:
Chasing has been the trend in ODIs at Colombo. With dew likely to play a significant role in the second innings of the match, the captain winning the toss is likely to opt for bowling first. Chasing is the way to go forward at Colombo.
Where to Watch Today’s Match
The online live streaming of the 1st ODI match of the Bangladesh Tour of Sri Lanka will take place live on the Sony Liv App. TV viewers can watch the match live on the Sony Ten 1, Ten 2, and Ten 5 channels.
As per the odds, the hosts, Sri Lanka, are the firm favorites to win this fixture and set the tone for this ODI series. Having won all their ODI series from 2024 till this year at home, Sri Lanka has shown what a dominant force they are in familiar conditions. Therefore, Sri Lanka should start as the favorites to win this game. Right now, as per our prediction, the hosts, Sri Lanka, are expected to win the SL vs BAN Dream11 Prediction 1st ODI match.