Sri Lanka will start a two-match series against Bangladesh at the Pallekele Stadium in Kandy today, aiming for its first Test win since January 2020.
It’s been a long time between Test wins for Sri Lanka, a record Coach Mickey Arthur has ensured the players are acutely aware of.
The run since then has included two losses in South Africa, two losses at home to England and two draws in the Caribbean against the West Indies.
In all six Tests, Sri Lanka had its chance but let the game slip away after some costly mistakes. A batting collapse, dropped catches, injuries and poor use of the decision referral system to review umpiring calls have been costly.
“We have spoken at length about taking that opportunity when it presents itself and applying pressure for long period until the opposition inevitably breaks,” Arthur said.
Sri Lanka has won 16 of its 20 Tests against Bangladesh and lost only once - at Colombo in 2017 - although three of the last eight matches have ended in a draw. There is a nice grass cover on the pitch and, while most expect the curator to shave it off before the Test starts, Sri Lanka seems to have changed its strategy to bank on fast bowlers more than an inexperienced spin department.
“We will look to get pitches that do give our pacers some assistance for sure but I believe we have all bases covered and have the ability to have a balanced side with spin as well,” Arthur said.
Bangladesh, meanwhile, has struggled in recent months. There was intense criticism following a home series loss to the West Indies and a tough tour of New Zealand, where Bangladesh lost all six white-ball games.
“Sri Lanka are a great team at home. It will be challenging for us,” Bangladesh Skipper Mominul Haque said. “We have to take up this challenge and get a good result.”
“I think it will be a competitive series. Both teams have good pace bowlers (so) batting is going to be very important.”
Bangladesh Test Squad: Mominul Haque (Captain), Liton Das, Mohammad Mithun, Mushfiqur Rahim, Tamim Khan, Shadman Islam, Abu Jayed, Taijul Islam, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Nayeem Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Mohammad Hasan, Yasir Ali, Shoriful Islam, Khaled Ahmed, Mukidul Islam, Shuvagata Hom, Shahidul Islam and Nurul Hasan.
Sri Lanka Test Squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (Captain), Dasun Shanaka, Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Niroshan Dickwella, Roshen Silva, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ramesh Mendis, Vishwa Fernando, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka and Praveen Jayawickrama.
(Agencies)
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