SL vs BAN Match Preview

With the series tied at 1-1, the third and final match will be the decider. The third and last match of the T20I series will be played at Colombo's R. Premadasa Stadium, which also hosted the first two one-dayers. After restricting Bangladesh to 154 while bowling first in the first T20I, the visitors bowled Sri Lanka out for 94 runs in the second match while defending a competitive total. Bangladesh will be pleased with their key players' comeback in the final game. After being put to bat first in Dambulla, skipper Litton Das, Towhid Hridoy, and Shamim Hossain all delivered impactful knocks to help them reach 177.

SL vs BAN Match Details

Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh – 3rd T20I Match, Sri Lanka Series 2025

Venue: R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo

Date & Time: 16th July 2025 at 07:00 PM IST 

Live Streaming: FanCode

SL vs BAN Venue Stats

SL vs BAN Pitch Report

Dambulla terrain is flat, and the ball glides easily onto the bat. Teams have scored 300+ runs in recent ODIs played here.

SL vs BAN Weather Report

Dambulla will have bright and sunny weather, with no chance of rain during this match. The temperature will vary from 16°C to 8°C. 

SL vs BAN Last Five Matches

SL vs BAN Head-to-Head Stats

Injury News

No Injury. Will be added when there is an update.

Also Read: ENG-W vs IND-W Dream11 Prediction 5th T20I Match

SL vs BAN Probable Playing XIs:

Bangladesh Probable Playing XIs

Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Litton Das (c & wk), Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali, Shamim Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mohammad Saifuddin, Rishad Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman

Sri Lanka Probable Playing XIs

Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Avishka Fernando, Charith Asalanka (c), Dasun Shanaka, Chamika Karunaratne, Jeffrey Vandersay, Maheesh Theekshana, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara

Topmost Picks for SL vs BAN Dream11 Prediction:

Top Picks – Sri Lanka

• Kusal Mendis – Kusal Mendis has been in good form lately, scoring the most runs in the recently concluded ODI series. He has an average of more than fifty against Bangladesh.
• Jeffrey Vandersay – He has taken at least two wickets in five of his last six matches against Bangladesh.

Top Picks – Bangladesh

• Parvez Hossain Emon – Parvez Hossain Emon appeared to be in particularly good form, scoring a quick half-century.
• Rishad Hossain –  Rishad Hossain was the main difference between both squads on Saturday, taking 2/39; if he can do the same, including two maidens on Tuesday

Suggested Playing XI N0.1 for SL vs BAN Dream11 Team:

Kusal Mendis(C), Litton Das, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka, Shamim Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz(VC), Maheesh Theekshana, Rishad Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Nuwan Thushara

Captain and Vice-Captain Options:

Captain – Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka

Vice-captain – Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Pathum Nissanka 

Wicketkeeper – Kusal Mendis

SL vs BAN Probable Winners:

Both teams were inconsistent throughout the series. However, they are fairly matched in terms of squad strengths. Both have excellent bowlers, such as reliable spinners. In one-dayers, both teams won one match each at this venue. If the weather does not interfere, the contest will be close. Sri Lanka will have the home advantage and will start a bit ahead of the visitors, according to our match prediction. Considering the team combination, Sri Lanka is expected to win this match.

Exciting cricket coming up this evening as we see Bangladesh play Sri Lanka in the first T20 of the series 2025. They are both young and experienced, and it promises to be a fun matchup and a close one too. Bangladesh will hope to make the best use of the home surface with Litton Das leading the side, while Sri Lanka, led by Charith Asalanka, will try to set the tone early in the series. It has big hits, smart bowling and a whole lot of energy in the field, and the action at Srilanka could really be a standout in the cacophony that cricket lovers in this region have grown all too used to.

Match Details – Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka (1st Match, 2025 Series)

• Match: 1st T20I – Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka
• Date: July 10, 2025 (Thursday)
• Time: 7:00 PM IST 
• Venue: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele, Sri Lanka

Players Battle to Watch Out For – BAN vs SL 1st Match
1. Litton Das vs Maheesh Theekshana
Litton Das, known for his sharp footwork and timing, will face a tough challenge against Theekshana’s mystery spin, as he’s been dismissed by him before and tends to struggle early against variations, while Theekshana’s strength lies in deception but he can leak runs if attacked confidently.

2. Towhid Hridoy vs Wanindu Hasaranga
Towhid Hridoy’s fearless strokeplay and strength against spin will be tested by Hasaranga’s world-class googlies, in a battle where Hridoy’s over-aggression could cost him, while Hasaranga might suffer if his variations are picked early.

3. Kusal Perera vs Mustafizur Rahman
Kusal Perera’s explosive starts make him dangerous in the powerplay, but he’ll need to watch out for Mustafizur’s trademark cutters, especially since Fizz has dismissed him multiple times and thrives under pressure, though he can be expensive if predictable.

4. Dasun Shanaka vs Taskin Ahmed
Shanaka’s late-innings power hitting could collide with Taskin Ahmed’s raw pace and bounce, making it a high-impact duel where Shanaka may struggle with short balls, while Taskin must maintain control to avoid being taken apart in the death overs.

5. Kusal Mendis vs Mehidy Hasan Miraz
Kusal Mendis, who enjoys attacking off-spin, will try to dominate Mehidy Hasan Miraz, a clever spinner who can tie up batters with tight lines but risks being hit if overused, while Mendis himself can lose his wicket trying to be overly aggressive.

ALSO READ:SL vs BAN Dream11 Prediction 1st T20I match Fantasy Cricket Tips, Probable Playing XI

SL vs BAN Probable Playing XIs:

Bangladesh Probable Playing XIs

Litton Das (c & wk), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Jaker Ali, Shamim Hossain, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed

Sri Lanka Probable Playing XIs

Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara

Sri Lanka has been dealt a major blow ahead of their home T20I series against Bangladesh, as star all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury. The leg-spinner sustained the injury during the recently concluded ODI series but still featured in the final match, where he picked up two wickets and scored a useful unbeaten 14. However, despite undergoing MRI scans, Hasaranga is not expected to recover in time for the T20Is, starting July 10 in Kandy.

Hasaranga’s absence leaves a significant void in Sri Lanka’s lineup. A proven match-winner in the shortest format, he has played 79 T20Is, taking 131 wickets at an economy of under seven, while also contributing over 700 runs with the bat. His deceptive variations, especially the googly and quicker ones, make him a constant threat, particularly on spin-friendly Sri Lankan pitches. Against Bangladesh, he has six wickets in just four T20I innings.

ALSO SEE: WATCH: PM Narendra Modi wishes Namibia to successfully host ICC World Cup 2027

Sri Lanka Look to Fill Hasaranga Void as T20I Series Against Bangladesh Begins

The timing of his injury couldn’t be worse for the hosts, who were hoping to carry momentum from their 2-1 ODI series win. Sri Lanka started that series with a dominant 77-run victory, slipped in the second match, but bounced back in style to win the decider by 99 runs in Pallekele. Kusal Mendis starred with a century, while skipper Charith Asalanka also contributed a fifty. The bowlers, led by Asitha Fernando and Dushmantha Chameera, made light work of the Bangladesh batting in the final ODI.

The T20I series kicks off on July 10 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. The second match is scheduled for July 13 in Dambulla, followed by the third and final game on July 16 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

With Hasaranga out, Sri Lanka may look towards young leg-spinner Dunith Wellalage or an extra seamer, depending on the conditions. But replacing a player of Hasaranga’s all-round calibre will not be easy, and his absence could tilt the balance slightly in Bangladesh’s favour.

After losing the first ODI by 77 runs, Bangladesh made a strong comeback in the second match against Sri Lanka. They secured a thrilling 16-run victory under the captaincy of Mehidy Hasan Miraz at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Saturday night.

This win not only leveled the three-match ODI series 1-1 but also brought good news for Bangladesh in the ICC rankings.

Before the series started, Bangladesh was in 10th place in the ICC ODI rankings with 76 rating points. After the win in the second ODI, the ICC updated the points, and Bangladesh moved to 9th place with 78 rating points.

Sticking together and a great bowling performance from Tanvir Islam, who took five wickets and was named Player of the Match, helped Bangladesh win in Colombo. Sri Lanka fought hard while chasing Bangladesh’s small total of 248, especially with a late partnership between Janith Liyanage and Dushmantha Chameera.

At one point, it looked like the match was slipping away, but Bangladesh’s death-over bowlers, led by Mustafizur Rahman and Tanvir Islam, kept calm. The Tigers managed to secure a 16-run win and level the three-match series 1–1.

On the same day, West Indies dropped to 10th place with 77 points, and Sri Lanka slipped from 4th to 5th place with 102 points. Pakistan moved up to 4th place with 104 rating points, taking advantage of Sri Lanka’s loss.

There have been many changes in the top 10 of the ICC ODI rankings. India stays at the top with 124 points, followed by New Zealand and Australia, both with 109 points. South Africa, Afghanistan, and England are in 6th, 7th, and 8th places, respectively.

And with this win, Team Bangladesh climbs back to 9th place in the ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings 🇧🇩📈

A crucial step forward with World Cup hopes still alive!#SLvBAN pic.twitter.com/uSG20sNqHW

— Cricketangon (@cricketangon) July 5, 2025

These rankings are important because the top eight teams by March 31, 2027, will qualify directly for the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup. The tournament will be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. Teams finishing outside the top eight will have to play in a qualifying tournament for the remaining four spots.

The final and deciding ODI between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will be played in Pallekele the day after tomorrow.

Earlier in May, Bangladesh had fallen to 10th place in the rankings for the first time in nearly 18 years, after a series of poor performances in the 50-over format. Their losing streak started in November last year with a loss to Afghanistan in the last ODI of a three-match series in Sharjah.

A win in the final match would be historic for Bangladesh, as it would be their first-ever ODI series win on Sri Lankan soil. In 2017, the two teams drew the ODI series 1-1 in Sri Lanka. In their last ODI series in 2024, Bangladesh won 2-1 at home.

Brief Score:

Bangladesh: 248 in 45.5 overs (Emon 67, Hridoy 51, Asitha 4-35, Hasaranga 3-60)  

Sri Lanka: 232 in 48.5 overs (Liyanage 78, Kusal Mendis 56, Tanvir 5-39) 

Result: Bangladesh won by 16 runs.

Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons has temporarily stepped away from the national team midway through their ongoing ODI series against Sri Lanka. His departure comes at a tough time for the Tigers, who had already suffered a 1-0 defeat in the Test series and lost the opening ODI of the three-match contest. Bangladesh was handed a heavy 77-run defeat in the first ODI at Colombo on July 2.

In that match, the Bangladeshi batting lineup suffered a shocking collapse despite a strong start while chasing 245. Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed described the performance as “unexpected,” as Sri Lankan spinners Wanindu Hasaranga and Kamindu Mendis wreaked havoc. The spin duo shared seven wickets to decimate Bangladesh, who lost seven wickets for just five runs—the worst seven-wicket collapse in men’s ODI history.

Amid the on-field struggles, Simmons’s sudden exit sparked speculation about a performance review by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). However, the team management clarified that Simmons had pre-scheduled medical commitments. He left for London on July 5 for a two-day medical consultation. Bangladesh team manager Nafees Iqbal confirmed Simmons had postponed the appointment earlier due to Champions Trophy duties and couldn’t delay it further.

Simmons to Return Ahead of 3rd ODI, Confirms Team Manager

“Phil Simmons is going to tour for two days for personal reasons. He had a doctor’s appointment in February, but he missed that due to the Champions Trophy. Now the appointment with the physicians cannot be changed. He tried to change it, but somehow he could not do that,” said Nafees Iqbal. He also confirmed that Simmons had informed the BCB of his plans before the tour began.

See Also: [WATCH]: 'I Was Having My Dinner....''—Shubman Gill trolls BCCI after double ton in 2nd Test

“Before the start of the tour, he spoke with the board in this regard and planned accordingly. He is leaving today and will return on 7 July,” he added. Simmons will miss the second ODI on July 5 but is expected to rejoin the squad ahead of the third and final ODI. Following the ODI series, Bangladesh will play a three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan all-rounder Angelo Mathews has stunned the world by revealing his decision to retire from the white-ball format. Previously, Matthews had announced his retirement from Test cricket earlier in May, with the home Test series against Bangladesh being the last of his career. 

Now, as per the latest reports, the 37-year-old has already given indications of giving up on the shortest format. Mathews has already informed everyone of his decision to retire from the white-ball set-up following the conclusion of the T20 World Cup next year. 

See also: Angelo Mathews Provides Video Proof to Challenge 'Timed Out' Dismissal Decision by Umpires

Matthews opens up on his white-ball retirement

During his very recent interaction with Cricbuzz, the Sri Lankan all-rounder expressed that he has enough fuel in his tank to persevere till the 2026 T20 World Cup. In this time, Mathews aims to asses whether his body will be able to withstand enough workload. 

"There are six more months until the next T20 World Cup, and I'll give it a try depending on what my body tells me."

Angelo Mathews targets to sign off from white ball cricket after the 2026 T20 World Cup. pic.twitter.com/t0vxQtSFvc

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 17, 2025

While his absence from the national side will most definitely create a void, Mathews does leave behind a rich legacy that the island nation can be proud of. Making his Test debut for Sri Lanka in 2009, Mathews has accumulated 8167 in 118 matches, leaving him only behind Kumar Sangakkara (12400) and Mahela Jayawardena (11814). 

Moreover, he was a genuine asset for Sri Lanka in the white-ball set-up as well. The 37-year-old played an instrumental role in powering Sri Lanka to their T20 World Cup title glory in 2014, when they outclassed the tournament favorites India in a thumping fashion. Mathews opened the bowling and picked up the wicket of Ajinkya Rahane to open the doors for his side early on. 

Bangladesh is set to begin their ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 campaign with a two-Test series against Sri Lanka, starting June 17 at the Galle International Stadium. With renewed focus and clear objectives, Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto is determined to carry forward the progress made during the last cycle and deliver more consistent results, especially in home conditions where the Tigers have struggled.

The tour marks a fresh start for Bangladesh in the new WTC cycle and will also serve as a historic moment for Sri Lanka, as veteran all-rounder Angelo Mathews prepares to play his farewell Test in the opening match. In the previous cycle (2023–25), Bangladesh managed to win four out of 12 Tests, including three away victories. However, they could secure only one win in six home games, a disappointing statistic that Shanto is eager to reverse. Speaking to the media before the team's departure, the skipper outlined his vision for improvement in home conditions.

Captain’s Focus: Building on Progress

"We have to win our home matches. In the last cycle [WTC 2023–2025], we performed really poorly at home. If we had won more matches there, it would have reflected on our overall number of wins. So, our goal is to improve in that area. We have specific plans to improve. Since we did well in away matches last time, that will give us confidence this year. If we can continue to perform in away conditions, it will help us grow in this cycle," Shanto said during a press conference.

See Also: WATCH: KL Rahul's special message for Karun Nair ahead of ENG vs IND Test series

The left-hander also highlighted the importance of gradual progress and realistic ambitions, pointing to the upward trend from the previous cycle. "It's a big dream, and it would be a bit naive to think that far ahead right now. If we can progress step by step, that would be great. If you look back, we won one Test before the last cycle. But in the last cycle, we had won four. That's progress. This time, the goal is to win two or three more matches than before. If we can take these small steps, then why not? Someday, Bangladesh will play in the final. But it's important that we achieve better results than in the last cycle," he added.

Vishmi Gunaratne’s impressive half-century guided Sri Lanka to a comfortable 7 wicket victory over Bangladesh in Dambulla. Sri Lanka chased down the modest target of 112 runs with 17 balls remaining, showcasing their batting strength. Despite early setbacks, Sri Lanka maintained control throughout the game and achieved a smooth win.

Bangladesh’s early struggles

Bangladesh faced a tough start, losing four crucial wickets during the powerplay. This early collapse set them back significantly, forcing them to play catch up for the rest of the match. Although they made some progress in the middle overs and had a spirited finish, it wasn’t sufficient to alter the outcome. Sri Lanka, despite losing their captain during the innings, managed to handle the modest target with ease.

Bangladesh’s performance

Early wickets in Powerplay

Bangladesh began their innings with a boundary from Dilare Akter but quickly fell into trouble. Udeshika Prabodhani and Inoshi Priyadharshini took control with early breakthroughs, dismissing four top order batsmen. The team struggled as they lost key players like Ishma Tanjim and Rubya Haider without scoring, putting them on the back foot early in the match.

Sultana’s fight back in middle overs

Nigar Sultana played aggressively after the powerplay, scoring boundaries and attempting to build a stable innings. Her effort was crucial as Bangladesh sought to recover from the early losses. Chamari Athapaththu’s key wicket of Shorifa Khatun in the 11th over slowed down Bangladesh’s progress and allowed Sri Lanka to regain control of the match.

Sultana and Shorna finish strong in death overs

In the final overs, Sultana and Shorna Akter provided a late surge for Bangladesh. Shorna hit three consecutive boundaries in the 18th over, helping Bangladesh surpass the 100-run mark. Nigar Sultana continued the momentum with boundaries in the last over, but their late efforts were not enough to secure a win.

Sri Lanka’s Performance

Athapaththu falls after a solid start in powerplay

Sri Lanka’s innings started slowly, but Chamari Athapaththu made a significant impact with a six and a boundary, signaling a strong chase. Despite a steady start, Athapaththu was dismissed in the last over of the powerplay, but the damage was already done. Her contribution provided a solid foundation for the chase.

Gunaratne and Samarawickrama drive the chase in middle overs

Sri Lanka’s chase was well-managed by Vishmi Gunaratne and Harshitha Samarawickrama. The pair combined effectively, with Gunaratne scoring a half-century before being dismissed. Their partnership added 54 runs for the second wicket, keeping Sri Lanka on track to chase down the target comfortably. Gunaratne’s aggressive batting, especially against Sultana Khatun, was pivotal in controlling the chase.

Samarawickrama seals the Win in death overs

As Sri Lanka approached victory, Harshitha Samarawickrama took charge in the 17th over, hitting several boundaries and accelerating the chase. Although Bangladesh managed to get her out for 33, the game was already in Sri Lanka’s favor. Dilhari’s boundary in the final over sealed the win for Sri Lanka, capping off a successful chase.

Player of the Match (Vishmi Gunaratne)

“I am enjoying this year. This one makes more special because my family is here. I would like to thank my parents, sister. Enjoyed batting with my captain. Pitch is good for batting and easy to chase down the score. I had to work on my reverse sweep. Moving forward, I want to get this right.”

Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2024 group B points table:

Cricket is a game known for its moments of brilliance and occasional oddities. On Day 3 of the second Test between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in Dhaka, viewers witnessed one such bizarre incident that left many scratching their heads.

Description of the Incident

In the 21st over of the second innings, with Prabath Jayasuriya at the crease, Bangladesh was tightening the screws on Sri Lanka. Having already lost six wickets, the pressure was mounting on the visitors. Hasan Mahmud, the bowler, delivered a length ball that Jayasuriya guided towards the gully.

See Also: Suresh Raina speaks about Dhoni’s retirement

Analysis of the Incident

Instead of the usual one or two fielders giving chase, a total of five fielders were seen running after the ball. It was an unprecedented sight, raising eyebrows among spectators and commentators alike. This peculiar tactic was aimed at building pressure on Jayasuriya, who was already facing a daunting task against the Bangladeshi bowling attack.

After this bizarre incident, social media critics hilariously trolled the Bangladeshi fielders. Take a look at the troll:

Overview of the Match Situation

Sri Lanka had dominated the match so far, having taken a commanding lead of 531 runs in the first innings. With such a substantial advantage, they were in a prime position to clinch the series.

On the other hand, Bangladesh faced an uphill battle, especially considering their poor performance with the bat in the series thus far. Chasing over 450 runs was going to be a monumental task for them.

In the final Test against Bangladesh, visitors posted a massive 531 on Day 2 on Sunday, thanks to six batters getting past half-century marks. In response, Bangladesh reached 55/1 at stumps, trailing by 476 runs. Kamindu Mendis scored twin centuries in the first test that Sri Lanka won by a crushing 328 runs.

Bangladesh’s Bowling Performance

Despite the odds stacked against them, Bangladesh’s bowlers showed resilience and determination in the second innings. They managed to put up a commendable performance, restricting Sri Lanka’s scoring opportunities and taking crucial wickets.

Litton Das executed an exceptional run out to dismiss Dasun Shanaka during the third and final T20I clash between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka on Saturday, March 9th, at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.

During the last over of the Sri Lankan innings, Shanaka, aiming to capitalize on a shot down the ground off Mustafizur Rahman, sprinted for runs. Despite his efforts, Rishad Hossain’s precise throw to the striker’s end left Shanaka struggling. Despite attempting a desperate dive, Shanaka fell short of the crease. Meanwhile, Litton Das, positioned away from the stumps, swiftly collected Rishad’s throw and instinctively dislodged the bails without even glancing at the wickets, reminiscent of MS Dhoni’s trademark run outs.

Litton Das’s Fielding Brilliance Overshadowed by Batting Struggles

Following Litton’s crucial dismissal of Shanaka, Bangladesh contained Sri Lanka to 174 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs after opting to bowl first on a favorable batting pitch. However, despite Litton’s effort, Bangladesh fell short by 28 runs, conceding the series 1-2.

Despite his consistent performances across formats, Litton Das struggled with the bat in the series against Sri Lanka. Across three matches, he managed just 43 runs at an average of 14.33, with a highest score of 36.

In the third T20I, Litton began his innings with a boundary but was soon dismissed by Dhananjaya de Silva. Attempting to play a shot behind square, Litton could only manage a top edge, which was easily taken by Shanaka at square leg, ending his innings prematurely.