If Shanto is ultimately unable to make the playing XI, Naim Sheikh, who recently returned to the national squad after a two-year absence, is expected to step in.
During training, Shanto showed signs of discomfort while batting in the nets and consulted physiotherapist Bayzidul Islam due to pain in his left leg.
With the series now tied, Bangladesh has a golden opportunity to clinch their first ODI series victory on Sri Lankan soil at Pallekele. Opener Parvez Hossain Emon acknowledged this chance, stating, “We have a fantastic opportunity here. Winning tomorrow’s match would mean a great series win. The confidence is high, and we’ve been building momentum since the last game. We will give our all to secure the win.”
“Consistency is key. If we can score runs early and maintain that momentum, it will make things easier for the team,” he added, emphasizing that they are not feeling any extra pressure.
After scoring 67 runs in the previous match, Emon expressed his disappointment at falling short of a century, stating he hopes to capitalize on any opportunity in the series finale. “I didn’t bat long enough last match, and I felt guilty getting out because I was well set, and the pitch was excellent. I could have scored a hundred that day, and it was disappointing,” he reflected.
“I assess the situation and play accordingly, trying to stick to my natural game. I don’t set specific targets. I’ve spoken with teammates who have played here before, and they all agree that this pitch is good for batting. I’ll aim to deliver a big innings if I get a chance.”
Thilina Kandamby, the batting coach for Sri Lanka, echoed this sentiment, noting that he expects a batting-friendly surface in the series finale. “Pallekele looks promising for batting, with good bounce expected. Analyzing the last few games here, we’ve consistently had favorable conditions for batting,” he stated.
“In the last match, our middle order – Charith and Kamindu – struggled a bit. We must acknowledge that the three spinners bowled exceptionally well. We’ve discussed strategies to navigate tricky situations like that, and our training will focus on these areas,” he added, emphasizing a process-oriented approach rather than fixating on the result.
“We are not pressuring ourselves by thinking about the series outcome. Our focus is on the process,” he concluded.
