After two contrasting encounters in Dambulla, the T20I series between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will reach its climax in Colombo on Wednesday, July 16. With the series level at 1-1, the third T20I promises to be a tense decider, but there are concerns over weather interruptions at the R. Premadasa Stadium as well.
Sri Lanka dominated the opener with a clinical seven-wicket win, riding on a strong top-order performance from Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis. However, Bangladesh roared back in the second match with an emphatic 83-run win. Litton Das led from the front with a sparkling 76, before the bowlers bundled out the hosts for just 94, their lowest T20I total at home. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the decider.
Match Details: SL vs BAN 3rd T20I
- Match: Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh, 3rd T20I (Series Decider)
- Date: Wednesday, July 16, 2025
- Time: 7:00 PM IST | Toss at 6:30 PM IST
- Venue: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Predicted Playing XIs SL vs BAN
Sri Lanka:
Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka (c), Avishka Fernando, Dasun Shanaka, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana
Bangladesh:
Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Litton Das (c & wk), Towhid Hridoy, Parvez Hossain Emon, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shamim Hossain, Rishad Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed
Live Streaming and Broadcast Details
- Live Telecast (India): Sony Sports Network
- Live Streaming: SonyLIV and FanCode (Apps and websites)
Pitch Report: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
The surface at R. Premadasa Stadium is traditionally on the slower side, often offering sharp turn and assistance to spinners as the match progresses. However, seamers have enjoyed a fair share of success here too, especially with the new ball when conditions offer swing and seam movement.
Ground Stats at R. Premadasa Stadium (T20Is):
| Criteria | Data |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 47 |
| Matches Won Batting 1st | 19 |
| Matches Won Bowling 1st | 27 |
| Avg. Score Batting 1st | 150.68 |
| Avg. Score Batting 2nd | 135.43 |
| Average Run Rate | 7.60 |
| % of Wickets by Pacers | 53.87% |
| % of Wickets by Spinners | 46.12% |
Batting can be tricky early on due to seam movement, while stroke-making becomes harder in the second innings with the pitch slowing down. Spinners will play a crucial role in the middle overs, and bowlers are expected to dominate unless batters apply themselves well.
Weather Forecast: Colombo on July 16
According to AccuWeather, rain could play spoilsport. The forecast shows a 94% chance of precipitation with 99% cloud cover. Thunderstorms are also a possibility, with winds blowing at 17 km/h (gusts up to 39 km/h).
| Weather Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 27°C |
| Rain Probability | 94% |
| Cloud Cover | 99% |
| Thunderstorm Chance | 23% |
