As Sri Lanka and Bangladesh prepare for the second and final Test commencing today, they will hope for a result-oriented pitch at the Pallekele Stadium in Kandy.
It hasn't been a memorable inaugural season of the World Test Championship for the two sides - both teams have occupied the bottom of the table, with just one win combined.
And if anything, a win to cap off the season could provide a dose of confidence going into the next season.
Only 10 wickets fell across from both teams on the first four days of the first Test and Bangladesh even endured a wicketless fourth day as Dimuth Karunaratne and Dhananjaya de Silva made merry. As such, it's difficult to take any positives into the second game. For the Lankans, this is their last chance to win a Test series this season - home or away. They endured a series loss in South Africa, were humbled by England at home and then managed a 0-0 draw in the Caribbean Islands.
Mickey Arthur's team will need to show something in the returns column to justify their improvement.
Bangladesh are sailing in the same boat as well - their season marred by COVID-19 pandemic related postponements and followed by humbling losses to what was essentially a second string West Indies unit.
Meanwhile, left-arm spinner Praveen Jayawickrema is in line to make his Test debut if Sri Lanka opts for an extra spin option following the injury to Lahiru Kumara and Dilshan Madushanka.
Shadman Islam has recovered well enough from his COVID-19 scare but with no match practice, Saif Hassan will continue to be Tamim Iqbal's partner at the top of the order. Shoriful Islam is also in line for a Test debut, in place of Abu Jayed.
The teams
Sri Lanka (likely XI): Dimuth Karunaratne (Captain), Lahiru Thirimanne, Oshada Fernando, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Pathum Nissanka, Niroshan Dickwella, Suranga Lakmal, Wanindu Hasaranga, Vishwa Fernando, Praveen Jayawickrama/Lakshan Sandakan.
Bangladesh (likely XI): Mominul Haque (Captain), Tamim Iqbal, Saif Hassan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das, Mehidy Hasan, Taijul Islam, Ebadat Hossain, Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Hossain. (Agencies)
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