Sri Lanka will face Bangladesh in the first T20I of the three-match series on July 10, 2025, at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. The match will get underway at 7:00 PM IST.

Charith Asalanka led Sri Lanka to a spectacular series victory in the ODI series. They defeated Bangladesh by 99 runs in the last match to seal the series, 2-1. Kusal Mendis scored a stellar century in the final match and 225 runs overall series, leading him to clinch the Player of the Series title. Now shifting their focus, they will look to continue their winning momentum in the T20I series as well. Sri Lanka has made some changes and brought their former skipper Dasun Shanaka into the squad for the series. The hosts last played a T20I match against New Zealand in a five-match series last year, but had to suffer a disappointing 2-3 loss in that series. 

Bangladesh, under the leadership of Litton Das, is eyeing to redeem themselves in the T20I format as they have been playing its worst cricket lately in the international circuit. They have lost 11 T20I matches out of the 15 they have played; they are only able to seal one match on this tour so far. As the 2026 T20 World Cup is scheduled to be co-hosted by Sri Lanka, it becomes more important for Bangladesh to examine their form and start fresh going into this series. After the captaincy debacle, the leadership spot in the Bangladesh team is still up for grabs, allowing the senior player Litton Das a good opportunity in the series. 

The Pallekele Stadium has always been an ideal surface for the pace bowlers, but it is also a high-scoring ground. The fast bowlers are likely to get good assistance from the surface in the starting, helping them to exploit their early swing and good length deliveries, but as the ball gets older, batters will get to score heavy runs. There have been no T20I matches scheduled since 2020, which means it will be a good opportunity to see how the pitch is during the first match. The first innings total in 2020 was 175.6. 

The weather is likely to remain clear with the temperature ranging between 20 degrees to 25 degrees. There is a chance of rain predicted in tomorrow's game, but the game should proceed largely without any issues.

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dasun Shanaka, Charith Asalanka (c), Matheesha Pathirana, Kamindu Mendis, Nuwan Thushara, Maheesh Theekshana, Avishka Fernando, Dunith Wellalage

Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan, Litton Das (c & wk), Shamim Hossain, Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Jaker Ali, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Parvez Hossain Emon

• Kusal Mendis | SL: Mendis carries a lot of experience in this format. The Lankan wicket-keeper batter loves playing against Bangladesh. Mendis scored a brilliant half-century in the second match then followed by a stellar century in the third ODI match. He has played 9 innings against Bangladesh and has scored 442 runs at an average of 49.1. Having him on your side will boost your chances of winning.

• Litton Das | BAN: In the 101 ODI innings, Litton Das has scored 2161 runs so far, including 11 half-centuries. He has the most experience as a batter in the current Bangladesh team. He can contribute well with the bat in this game.

• Pathum | SL: Pathum Nissanka, after a disappointing ODI series against Bangladesh, will shift to the T20I series. He has featured in 62 T20I matches in which he has scored 1734 runs, including 14 half-centuries. He will look to provide a good start to the team and score some valuable runs.

• Towhid Hridoy | BAN: Towhid Hridoy had a decent outing during the ODI series, where he scored two back-to-back half-centuries in the last two matches, and he will look to do even better in the T20I series. He has featured in 38 T20I matches in which he has scored 796 runs, including three half-centuries. He can provide crucial fantasy points to your team if added.

• Charith Asalanka | SL: The skipper of Sri Lanka played a crucial role in the ODI series for his team, scoring a blistering 106-run knock in the first match and then 58 runs in the final ODI match. He will look to continue his form going into this T20I series. He has played 58 matches in this shortest format and has scored 1247 runs. Keeping his consistent form in mind, he should make a cut in your fantasy team.

• Rishad Hossain | BAN: The premier Bangladesh spinning all-rounder is a must-have player in your fantasy team. Rishad Hossain has been in sublime form lately, taking crucial wickets in his spells and scoring runs in the lower order. He has scored 35 T20I matches in which he has scored 162 runs and has taken 43 wickets.

• Nuwan Thushara | SL: The 30-year-old right-arm pacer has played 18 T20I matches and has taken 26 wickets, with 5 for 30 being his best in this format. With a bowling-friendly track in the last ODI match, his participation becomes even more crucial in this match.

• Taskin Ahmed | BAN: Taskin Ahmed has always delivered his best against Sri Lanka, he has played 8 innings in this format against the Island Nation and has taken 10 wickets.