BAN vs SL: 3rd T20I Top Captain, Vice-captain Picks & Player Stats

Najmum Hossain Shanto will be a key pick for the game (Source: x.com)

The stage is set as Bangladesh (BAN) and Sri Lanka (SL) square off against each other in the third and final T20 international of the series. The decider will be played on a Super Saturday, February 09th, 2024, at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Sylhet at 2:30 PM IST. The visitors won the opening T20I while the home side bounced back and sealed the deal in the second game to make it 1-1 and take it to the decider. 

BAN vs SL - Important Player Stats (Top 5 Players)

BAN vs SL - Toss Factor

Ten out of the 12 T20 internationals have been won by sides batting second in Sylhet. Clearly keeping this in mind, the skipper winning the toss will opt to field first and have a target infront of him in the final and decider.

Scenario: If Bangladesh win the toss

As mentioned above, the results have favored heavily the chasing sides in T20 internationals played here in Sylhet. Ten out of the 12 games have been won by teams batting second. If Bangladesh wins the toss, they will also look to field first and have a target in front of them in the decider. The bowling will rely on the seam bowlers Shoriful Islam and Taskin Ahmed to try and restrict the Lankans to a low total. 

Scenario: If Sri Lanka win the toss

Considering the past results, the visitors will also be looking to bowl first here. Pace bowler Matheesha Pathirana is the leading wicket-taker so far in the series with three wickets. He along with Binura Fernando and Angelow Mathews will be key for the Lankan Lions while bowling first. Kusal Mendis has struck the most runs in the series and his side will hope that he continues his form in the final match.

BAN vs SL - Top Captain and Vice Captain Picks

Scenario: If Bangladesh Bat First

Najmul Hossain Shanto - Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto won the Player of the Match award in the last game for his unbeaten knock of 53 off 38. The left-handed top-order batter led his side from the front by guiding them to the target. The 25-year old is averaging 73 and is a must pick for this category.

Jaker Ali - Jaker Ali played a solid knock in the opening T20 international. The right-handed batter smashed 68 off just 34 which included four fours and six maximums. He didnt get a chance to bat in the second game. Jaker is the man-in-form and should be picked for this contest.

Scenario: If Sri Lanka Bat First

Kusal Mendis could be a crucial choice for the fantasy contests of the match (Source: x.com)

Kusal Mendis - As mentioned above, Kusal Mendis is the leading run-scorer in the series so far. The wicketkeeper and the opening batter has hit 95 runs in two matches. The 29-year old has scores of 59 and 36 to his name. Mendis looks in good nick and should be picked for this category in the decider.

Charith Asalanka - Skipper Charith Asalanka has also got starts in both T20 internationals. The left-handed middle-order player has scores of 44* off 21 and 28 off 14 under his belt. The 26-year old is also scoring those runs with a solid strike-rate.

BAN vs SL - High Risk, High Reward

Mahmudullah (BAN) - Veteran and experienced campaigner Mahmudullah slammed 54 off just 31 with two fours and four maximums in the first T20I. The right-handed middle-order player didnt bat in the second match. The 38-year old looked in good touch in his knock of 54. He is a risky but worthy choice for this category.

Sadeera Samarawickrama (SL) - Sadeera Samarawickrama also hit a half-century in the first game. The right-handed middle-order batter scored an unbeaten 61 off 48 with eight fours and a maximum. Though he got dismissed for just seven in the last match, Samarawickrama could well be picked.

BAN vs SL - Stay Aways

Soumya Sarkar (BAN) - Left-handed opening player Soumya Sarkar has managed to score only 38 runs so far in the series. The opener got dismissed for 12 in the first and then for 26 in the second game. Considering his position right at the top of the order, Sarkar would have liked to contribute more. The 31-year old could be given a miss here.

Avishka Fernando (SL) - Avishka Fernando is having a terrible T20I record to his name. The right-handed opening player has scored only 341 runs in 33 innings with no half-century and at an average of 11.00 in this format. He also got out cheaply for four and zero in the ongoing series. Fernando should clearly be excluded for the decider.