Huge image – Key gamers lacking for each side
It has been practically two years since these two sides confronted one another within the longest format of the sport. Such is the paucity of Test cricket on provide for groups outdoors of the Huge Three nowadays – Bangladesh have performed eight Exams to Sri Lanka’s 11 since their final contest – there’s not a lot by means of a physique of work to discern any rising tendencies in these sides.
For Bangladesh, the latest collection at dwelling was in opposition to New Zealand – which they drew 1-1, courtesy an emphatic 150-run victory within the first Test – and it supplied up maybe the largest indicator of their upward trajectory within the red-ball format. The style of the victory, one which got here on a Sylhet floor that supplied one thing for each bat and ball, would have been encouraging, notably in opposition to one of the stronger Test nations.
Each side, although, come into this collection lacking key cogs of their respective wheels.
And sure, the latest again and forth stemming from timed-out celebrations and helmet shenanigans additionally offers a spicy backdrop to the competition. However the much less mentioned about that the higher.
Current kind
Bangladesh LWWWL (accomplished matches, most up-to-date first)
Sri Lanka WLLWW
When Sri Lanka final toured Bangladesh in 2022, it was left to Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das to maintain fort as the remainder of the batting unit largely crumbled. Since then, the likes of Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque have begun to step ahead extra continuously, however with Mushfiqur out injured, it will a uncommon event in latest historical past that none of Mushfiqur, Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah function in a Bangladesh Test XI.
For Sri Lanka, with their batting kind of settled, it is the bowling the place there is likely to be some considerations, notably the absence of Asitha, who has been key to their latest Test successes. Whereas they nonetheless boast a superb seam assault, a lot will rely upon how left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya fares. Other than three Exams in New Zealand, Jayasuriya has completely operated in dwelling comforts – the place he has been vastly efficient, grabbing 63 wickets over eight Exams. However this tour of Bangladesh provides him a primary alternative on a subcontinental floor away from dwelling. Spinners have historically dominated the roost in Sylhet and Jayasuriya will likely be aiming to do the identical.
Workforce information
Bangladesh (possible): 1 Zakir Hasan, 2 Mahmudul Hasan Pleasure, 3 Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), 4 Mominul Haque, 5 Towhid Hridoy, 6 Litton Das (wk), 7 Shahadat Hossain, 8 Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 9 Taijul Islam, 10 Shoriful Islam, 11 Nahid Rana
Sri Lanka’s batting line-up is kind of settled and so there are unlikely to be any surprises on that entrance. The one level of competition will likely be whether or not they go for two or three seamers. Chamika Gunasekara, who suffered a concussion in opposition to Afghanistan, is again in competition. In the event that they decide for an additional spinner, Ramesh Mendis may discover his means into the aspect.
Sri Lanka (possible): 1 Dimuth Karunaratne, 2 Nishan Madushka, 3 Kusal Mendis, 4 Angelo Mathews, 5 Dinesh Chandimal, 6 Dhananjaya de Silva (capt), 7 Sadeera Samarawickrama (wk), 8 Ramesh Mendis/Chamika Gunasekara, 9 Prabath Jayasuriya, 10 Kasun Rajitha, 11 Vishwa Fernando
Pitch and circumstances – Rain anticipated in Sylhet
Sylhet is as soon as once more anticipated to be good for batting, however Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusinghe has noticed a inexperienced tinge on the pitch, which makes it totally different from the marginally extra barren look from the Test match in opposition to New Zealand in November. The Sylhet climate, although, is not nice: there’s possible to be rain on days two to 5.
Stats and trivia
Quotes
“Shoriful performed lots of white-ball cricket so we’re giving him time without work. He does not want to bowl as a result of he bowled lots of overs. He’s prepared to play.”
Chandika Hathurusinghe on giving time without work coaching to his tempo spearhead
“In any format of cricket, I feel expertise will likely be invaluable for the aspect. We’ve extra skilled gamers in our aspect like Angelo, Dimuth, Chandimal. So I feel yeah, we’ve a superb aspect.”
Dhananjaya de Silva is banking on his skilled core
