Charith Asalanka led Sri Lanka to victory at the coin flip Wednesday evening and chose to take first innings during the decisive third Twenty20 international against Bangladesh at Colombo's R Premadasa Stadium. The series stands level after Bangladesh secured an 83-run triumph in the previous encounter at Dambulla. Both teams made strategic alterations to their playing elevens for this winner-takes-all contest. Sri Lanka brought back veteran batsman Dinesh Chandimal for his first T20 appearance since February 2022. The hosts also added allrounder Kamindu Mendis while dropping Avishka Fernando and Chamika Karunaratne from their lineup.
Bangladesh captain Litton Das implemented two personnel changes despite their commanding victory in the second match. Spin-bowling allrounder Mahedi Hasan earned selection alongside pace-bowling allrounder Tanzim Hasan Sakib. These additions came at the expense of Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Mohammad Saifuddin, who were omitted from the squad. Sri Lanka's adjustments reflected their desire to strengthen spin bowling options against Bangladesh's batting order. The tactical modifications by both sides demonstrated the importance of this series-deciding encounter.
The winner will claim the three-match series after Bangladesh leveled the contest with their dominant performance in Dambulla. Sri Lanka fielded Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, Dasun Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Kamindu Mendis, Nuwan Thushara, and Binura Fernando. Bangladesh selected Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Tawhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali, Sheikh Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, and Tanzim Hasan Sakib.
Bangladesh captain Litton Das implemented two personnel changes despite their commanding victory in the second match. Spin-bowling allrounder Mahedi Hasan earned selection alongside pace-bowling allrounder Tanzim Hasan Sakib. These additions came at the expense of Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Mohammad Saifuddin, who were omitted from the squad. Sri Lanka's adjustments reflected their desire to strengthen spin bowling options against Bangladesh's batting order. The tactical modifications by both sides demonstrated the importance of this series-deciding encounter.
The winner will claim the three-match series after Bangladesh leveled the contest with their dominant performance in Dambulla. Sri Lanka fielded Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, Dasun Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Kamindu Mendis, Nuwan Thushara, and Binura Fernando. Bangladesh selected Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Tawhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali, Sheikh Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, and Tanzim Hasan Sakib.
