Huge image – Chattogram will not be like Sylhet in any respect
For the second Check collection in a row between these groups, Sri Lanka’s seamers are defining the competition. In 2022, it had been Asitha Fernando and Kasun Rajitha who claimed 24 wickets between them in the two-match collection in Bangladesh. This time, Sri Lanka go to Chattogram with their quicks having taken all 20 wickets in Sylhet – the primary time a Sri Lanka tempo assault has achieved this since 1986.
Past the massive win in Sylhet, Sri Lanka’s having discovered a lower-middle-order batter who has discovered quick success on the high stage – Kamindu Mendis – will buoy them additional.
It appears unlikely, nevertheless, that the pitch in Chattogram will a lot resemble the moist seam-conducive floor that Sri Lanka stomped to a four-day victory on. Pitches in Chattogram are typically a lot better for batting, and it’s the spinners who are inclined to prosper there. On that entrance, Bangladesh will really feel they’ve Sri Lanka lined.
The return of Shakib Al Hasan from the attention grievance that noticed him unavailable for the tour thus far will give them essentially the most confidence. Not solely is Shakib amongst their greatest batters, he’s additionally vastly skilled as a bowler on the Chattogram deck, having claimed 64 wickets throughout 19 Assessments there – by a distance essentially the most for any bowler at this venue. With him are Taijul Islam, who has the second-highest Chattogram wicket tally of 47, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who’s third with 34.
Sri Lanka’s essential spinner Prabath Jayasuriya, in the meantime, will likely be enjoying solely his fourth Check abroad, and has 4 profession wickets away from residence. Offspin-bowling allrounder Ramesh Mendis, who’s the likeliest to return in to the XI if Sri Lanka decide for a second frontline spin choice, is much more inexperienced abroad, having performed simply two away from residence.
Sri Lanka have by no means misplaced a Check in Bangladesh, and such was the margin of victory in Sylhet that they may start the second Check with some confidence. Bangladesh will consider the sport in Sylhet as one thing of an aberration, nevertheless. In Chattogram, with Shakib in their ranks, they may really feel – and be, probably – a unique workforce solely.
Type information
(Accomplished matches, most up-to-date first) Sri Lanka WWLLW Bangladesh LLWWW
Within the highlight – Shakib Al Hasan and Kamindu Mendis
Shakib Al Hasan turns heads wherever he goes after all, however the freshly elected member of parliament from the Magura constituency is perhaps particularly value maintaining a detailed eye on in this match. It isn’t solely his first worldwide as an MP, it is also his first recreation against Sri Lanka since he had appealed for – and earned – a timed-out dismissal against Angelo Mathews in the ODI World Cup. Mathews slammed Shakib and Bangladesh for making that enchantment, and echoes of the anger it induced on the time had been current by the course of the limited-overs collection. If Shakib sees worth in pushing Sri Lanka’s buttons once more, it appears unlikely that his new standing in Bangladesh’s legislature will cease him from stirring extra controversy.
Three Check innings into his profession, Kamindu Mendis has scores of 64, 102, and 164. Although he burst into the worldwide cricket consciousness as a fingerspinner who may function with both arm, his batting has all the time been his main go well with. And since he debuted for Sri Lanka in 2018, he has clearly taken his batting up a number of ranges, bettering his capability to take care of the shifting ball in specific, a ability that served him properly on the spicy deck in Sylhet. There will likely be larger checks in retailer for him, as oppositions examine his recreation and design methods to use his weaknesses. However he appears set now to maintain that spot in the lower-middle order throughout what’s a comparatively busy Check yr.
Pitch and situations
Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium has Bangladesh’s greatest batting pitch. Batting first, sides have averaged 380 in the final 5 Assessments right here. The climate is prone to be heat, with the odd likelihood of a bathe on days one and 5.
Staff information
Shakib will doubtless displace Shahadat Hossain in Bangladesh’s XI. Nahid Rana’s tempo is thrilling however whether or not he will likely be efficient on Chattogram’s typically placid floor is a query Bangladesh will think about. Hasan Mahmud may very well be an choice for them.
Bangladesh (attainable): 1 Mahmudul Hasan Pleasure, 2 Zakir Hasan, 3 Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), 4 Mominul Haque, 5 Shakib Al Hasan, 6 Litton Das (wk), 7 Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 8 Taijul Islam, 9 Shoriful Islam, 10 Khaled Ahmed, 11 Nahid Rana/Hasan Mahmud
With Rajitha out with a again damage, Sri Lanka will doubtless convey Asitha straight into the XI, partnering him with left-arm fast Vishwa Fernando. If one of many seamers from Sylhet has to overlook out, Lahiru Kumara is the likeliest to be omitted in favour of one other spinner.
The three most up-to-date Assessments between these groups in Chattogram have all ended in attracts
Asitha claimed 13 wickets at a mean of 16.61 on his final journey to Bangladesh, although his figures in Chattogram had been 3 for 72
Following his 87 not out on day 4 of the primary Check, Mominul Haque wants 25 to finish 4000 profession Check runs. He would be the fourth Bangladesh batter to the milestone – behind Mushfiqur Rahim, Tamim Iqbal and Shakib – if and when he will get there
Quotes – everybody’s speaking about Shakib
“It seems to be like he has misplaced weight. He is been coaching. He has had a very good BPL. He is had a very good begin to the Dhaka Premier League. He is joyful and that is the one place we wish Shakib. We would like him joyful.” Nic Pothas, standing in as head coach for Chandika Hathurusinghe, on Shakib’s return to the Check facet
“Why ought to I speak about him? He isn’t in my workforce.” Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva, when requested to say one thing on Shakib
Andrew Fidel Fernando is a senior author at ESPNcricinfo. @afidelf
