BAN vs SL Test: Shakib returns

Bangladesh will host Sri Lanka for a two-match Test series, with the opening match taking place on 15 May at Chattogram’s Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.

The series will be contested under the ICC World Test Championship 2021-23 cycle, in which Sri Lanka is currently ranked fifth with a point percentage of 50% and Bangladesh is currently ranked eighth with 16.66 percent.

The return of Shakib Al Hasan, who missed the two-match Test series against South Africa owing to personal issues, will provide Bangladesh a boost.

The Tigers were without their ace all-rounder for the 2-0 loss, which included two poor fourth-inning performances in which they were dispatched for 53 and 80 runs, respectively.

The inclusion of Shoriful Islam, who missed the series against South Africa owing to an ankle injury, is conditional.

Taskin Ahmed, who suffered a shoulder injury against the Proteas in the first Test, is still sidelined as he recovers.

Bangladesh’s team, led by Mominul Haque, features a solid mix of experience and young, with players like Rejaur Rahman Raja and Shohidul Islam vying for their first Test debuts.

Sri Lanka will reach Bangladesh on May 8 and play a two-day practice match before the first Test begins on May 15 at Chattogram’s Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.

On May 23, the action will shift to Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium for the second Test.