Openers provide solid start for Bangladesh

Bangladesh cricketer Tamim Iqbal tries to avoid a bouncer from Sri Lanka bowler Suranga Lakmal during the third one day international (ODI) cricket match of the Tri-Nations Series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on 19 January 2018. AFP
Bangladesh cricketer Tamim Iqbal tries to avoid a bouncer from Sri Lanka bowler Suranga Lakmal during the third one day international (ODI) cricket match of the Tri-Nations Series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on 19 January 2018. AFP

Openers Tamim Iqbal and Anamul Haque provided a solid start of Bangladesh innings against Sri Lanka in the third one day international of Tri-nation series on Friday.

Bangladesh scored 71 in 15 overs losing the wicket of Anamul till filing this report. The right hand opener scored 35 off 37-ball before returning to pavilion.

Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan are on the crease with 30 and 0 runs.

Earlier in the day, Bangladesh captain Mashrafe won the toss and opted to bat first in the match at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka.

Hosts have picked up Mohammad Saifuddin in their playing eleven replacing Sunzamul Islam in a bid to further strengthen the pace attacks.

Dinesh Chandimal is leading the Sri Lanka team as regular captain Angelo Mathews missed out due to injury.

Dushmantha Chameera also missed out the match. They were replaced by Nuwan Pradeep and Niroshan Dickwella.