Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka Betting Tips 23/05/2021

05:15, 23 May 2021

Senior Author

05:15, 23 May 2021

Zohaib Ahmed is a sports journalist whose profession is to report and edit but whose passion is to predict and bet. He’s been in the industry for more than a decade and has worked/written for various bookmakers/tipsters. His expertise is in cricket, football, MMA, boxing and basketball.

The first of the three ODIs between hosts Bangladesh and visitors Sri Lanka will be played at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Sunday. The match is scheduled to begin at 2pm IST.

Teams Status

Bangladesh

Considering that Bangladesh recently toured Sri Lanka for a Test series, you’d be forgiven for thinking that this series is nothing but an extension of that tour. But no, that tour has ended and right after, Sri Lanka are returning the favour instantly, visiting Bangladesh to reciprocate.

The big news for Bangladesh is that their star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has returned to their 15-member squad following a thigh injury that forced him to miss the New Zealand tour. He also missed the Sri Lanka Test tour as he had to play the Indian Premier League.

While Shakib has returned, out-of-form Najmul Hossain Shanto is the most high profile of the five players that have been dropped.

Al Amin Hossain, Hasan Mahmud, Rubel Hossain and Nasum Ahmed form the other quartet that has been axed.

The Tigers will be hoping to replicate the happenings of their home series against West Indies when they won 3-0 rather than their tour of New Zealand where they were humiliated 3-0.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka recently appointed Kusal Parera as their new ODI captain, and the new leader wants the team to play fearless cricket – just as he personally likes it.

The Men in Blue’s stock in ODI cricket has deteriorated so much over the years that they are now ranked 9^th in the ICC rankings. On top of it, they will be missing several established players such as Angelo Mathews for this ODI series.

With the team featuring a bunch of youngsters and newcomers, Parera has urged his charges to not be bogged down by the fear of failure and instead concentrate on playing their natural game.

What do the Sportsbook Say

Brand	Home team name	Away team name
	1.72	2.10
	1.662	2.07
	1.74	2.00

Bangladesh are a much better side at home, which is not a big surprise, which is why they are the favourites here. At Bet365, Bangladesh can be backed at odds of 1.72 and Sri Lanka at 2.10. Meanwhile, over at 22Bet, Bangladesh are 1.662 favourites and Sri Lanka 2.07 underdogs. At LeoVegas Bangladesh are favourites with 1.74 and Sri Lanka 2.00.

Tipster’s Angle

Tip: Bangladesh to win @ 1.662

Sri Lanka’s win percentage against Bangladesh (84.78) is higher than their average against any other Test playing nation. The two sides have clashed 48 times, of which Sri Lanka have won 39, lost seven and two produced no results. Despite that, we’d tip Bangladesh to win, on account of their home advantage and the fact that their star man Shakib is returning while Sri Lanka, in mood of experimentation, are weaker that they ought to be. That, coupled with the home advantage, should negate the horrible head-to-head record – at least in the opening game.

Tip: Top Batsman for Bangladesh – Tamim Iqbal @ 3.5

While Shakib’s return might steal all the headlines, the batsman who could actually prove to be the catalyst for victory could very well be the stylish Tamim Iqbal.

The lefty comes at the top of the order and has a knack for dazzling with his stroke play – until he is expected to delay in a pressure situation. That’s when he comes up a bit short. But here, at home, when he is not under the magnifier and the series is just starting, he should do well.

Conclusion

If you pick up past record, no rational person would want to back Bangladesh but then matches are not played in the past but in present. And, presently, Bangladesh have slightly more settled, if not as talented, a squad.
The hosts should draw first blood in the opening match.