BGD vs LKA 1st ODI match prediction 23 May 2021

BAN vs SL 1st ODI Predictions & Betting Tips

Bangladesh will go head-to-head against Sri Lanka in the first ODI of the three-match series. This forthcoming fixture will be played at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka on May 23, Sunday. Therefore, I have taken the opportunity to accumulate three of the best betting tips from the BAN vs SL 1st ODI match prediction.

After the IPL 2021 wagon was jolted by the deadly second wave of the COVID-19 virus in India, the cricket fans from this nation were deeply saddened. Not only because of the lives that were lost but also because of the lack of cricketing action. And now, we are back with some One-Day cricket as Bangladesh will host Sri Lanka for three 50-over games. Good news for Bangladesh fans as Shakib al Hasan has returned to resume his international duties.

If you are to look at the records, you will instantly feel that Sri Lanka should be the hot favourites to win the series. A total of 39 wins for Sri Lanka and just 7 for the Bangla Tigers - sums it up doesn’t it? But as Bangladesh are playing this series at home, they do have an advantage underlying somewhere and we just cannot spot. However, what we can spot is the opportunity to make cash on Sunday. I have accumulated three of the best betting tips from the BAN vs SL 1st ODI match prediction just for you to bet on.

SL vs BAN Player Bets:

Not many bookmakers have offered the player bets but since I have been doing this part day in and day out, it was rather easy for me. I have picked three players - Tamim Iqbal, Kusal Perera and Kusal Mendis from the BAN vs SL 1st ODI match prediction.

Tamim Iqbal to score over 24.5 runs

The Bangladesh opening batsman has been nothing but consistent, especially in the shorter formats of the game. Tamim Iqbal also comes along with a bag full of experience in ODI cricket as the left hander has featured in 213 ODIs and has scored 7452 runs at an average of 36.89. Against Sri Lanka, Tamim has played 24 matches and has scored 666 runs at an average of 30.27. While playing on his home turf, Tamim has racked up 3728 runs in 101 games at an average of 39.65.

The consistency part which I mentioned earlier, here’s an example of that - Tamim Iqbal has scored 2 centuries and 3 fifties in his last 8 ODI innings. How about that for consistency! He has played 6 ODIs in this calendar year and has scored 251 runs at an average of 41.66. In the first match of any series, Tamim has a batting average of 37.69 and while involved in a two-team series, he averages 37.52. LeoVegas is offering odds of 1.86 for Tamim Iqbal to score over 24.5 runs in the BAN vs SL 1st ODI match prediction.

Kusal Perera to score over 24.5 runs

When he first bursted into the scene, Kusal Perera was termed as the next Sanath Jayasuriya of Sri Lanka. However, if you ask me, it takes a lot more than that as it sounds easy. But Perera has not disappointed the Lankan fans as more often than not, this attacking left-handed batsman delivers. In 101 ODIs, he has scored 2825 runs at an average of 31.04. While playing against Bangladesh, he has notched up 445 runs at an average of 40.45. And while playing in their backyard, that average does not go below 37.90.

The last time Bangladesh went head-to-head against Sri Lanka, Perera ended up scoring 42 runs from 51 balls. When the crafty left hander plays at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, in 9 matches, he has 339 runs at an average of 37.66. His batting average shoots up to 42.81 in the first match of any ODI series as well. LeoVegas is offering odds of 1.86 for Kusal Perera to score over 24.5 runs in the BAN vs SL 1st ODI match prediction.

Kusal Mendis to score over 23.5 runs

Last but not the least, we have Mr. Consistent from this Sri Lankan batting unit. I am definitely referring to Kusal Mendis and he has been quite solid in the higher middle-order for the islanders. Mendis has played 76 ODIs and has scored 2167 runs at an average of 30.52. That average just does not justify the quality he has with the bat. Because Mendis has scored 23 or more runs in 9 out of his last 11 ODI knocks and I am sure after reading this you are definitely going to put your money on this man.

The last time when Mendis faced Bangladesh in an ODI, the right-handed batter scored 54 runs from 58 balls. He has played 10 matches against Bangladesh and has scored 345 runs at a decent average of 43.12. In the current calendar year, Mendis has been averaging 64.66 in the 50-over format. An average of 36.07 while playing the first game of any ODI series also shows Mendis’ consistency levels at the start of any series. LeoVegas once again has offered odds of 1.86 for Kusal Mendis to score over 23.5 runs in the BAN vs SL 1st ODI match prediction.

My Picks:

Tamim Iqbal to score over 24.5 runs - @ 1.87 (LeoVegas)

Kusal Perera to score over 24.5 runs - @ 1.87 (LeoVegas)

Kusal Mendis to score over 23.5 runs - @ 1.87 (LeoVegas)