Sri Lanka team poised to bid victorious farewell to Malinga

Sri Lanka team poised to bid victorious farewell to Malinga

The first one-day match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh is scheduled to be played today (26) at Colombo R. Premadasa international grounds on a day-night basis. Accordingly, the 16 players selected for the final pool was named by Sri Lanka Cricket recently. The initial pool of players nominated as 22 comprising Niroshan Dickwella, Dhanushka Gunatilleka, Lashan Sandaken , Lahiru Madhusanka and Amila Aponso have lost their chances. Akila Dhananjaya who in fact was not
nominated has been offered a chance in this pool which has been the focus of attention. Another speciality is that steps have been taken to admit Dasun Chanaka for the second and third games. Whatever it is, captain Dimuth Karunaratna said at the media briefing of yesterday (25) in connection with the preparation of the Sri Lankan team for today's game was that his objective was to give Lasith Malinga a glorious farewell to him. 

"We have organised some festivity to mark the beginning and end for Lasith Malinga's farewell. It is my feeling that if we could bade him farewell after winning the last game, it would be his best farwell. Therefore, we hope to strive in bading him farewell in joy after winning this match", he said. 

The Sri Lankan captain who expressed his ideas about the pitch and the composition of the team said, "The pitch prepared for the ame could be a itch which is conducive to batsmen. It can be decided after inspection. There is a possibility that fast bowlers too could derive some assistance from this pitch. Since two off spinners may play for the Bangladesh team the batting order too could undergo some change. In any case Lahiru Thirimanna would carry out his duty as number 6 batsman", he further added. 

Since Sakib Al Hassan, Lithon Das and Mortaza, members of Bangladesh team who took part in the world cup tournament are not participating in this tournament, the captaincy has been given over to opening batsman Iqbal. What Bangladesh captain said by addressing the media was that after taking over the captaincy for the first time, this tournament played with Sri Lanka would be a highly challenging tournament. Bangladesh captain further added that in the same way Sakib, Mortaza and Lithon Das though out from the team the new players would carry out their responsibilities in the proper manner.