Bangladesh must defy injuries to win decisive Sri Lanka Test

With their four top bowlers all out injured, Bangladesh hopes that team spirit will carry them to victory in the series-deciding second Test against Sri Lanka, which begins on Monday.

On all five days of the drawn first Test in Chittagong, bowlers from both teams struggled to make an impression.

The wicket at Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, though, is likely to help, as no Test match has been drawn there since 2016.

Bangladesh, who had the upper hand in the first Test, will have to do so with their bowling stocks severely reduced if they are to win.

Nayeem Hasan, who took 6-105 in the first innings of the first Test, was the latest player to be ruled out on Friday due to a finger injury.

Taskin Ahmed, Mehidy Hasan, and Shoriful Islam are all absent from the hosts.

Bangladesh have decided not to replace pacer Shoriful, who had a hand injury in Chittagong and have yet to name a replacement for Nayeem.

It would have to be a joint effort, according to Skipper Mominul Haque.

“Batsmen or bowlers, we get good results when we can play as a team. The team gets into a good position whenever we give a collective effort. It will help us in Dhaka,” Mominul said.

Mominul emphasized the hosts’ extensive expertise in the capital with the wicket.

“We play our most matches in Dhaka. I think we know how to handle spin and pace,” he said.

Sri Lanka sounded similarly cheerful. They’ve won all three Test matches they’ve played at Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, including a 215-run win in 2018.

“Our pacers did better than theirs (in the first Test). We have a few positives in that aspect,” all-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva said.

Outlining a winning formula for the second Test, de Silva said the Dhaka wicket “will be helpful to the spinners”.

“If we are batting first we will try to get 275-300, and then get them out for less than 150 in one innings,” he said. “It will give us a chance to win.”

Seven of Sri Lanka’s nine wickets were taken by pace bowlers in the first Test, with right-arm fast Kasun Rajitha (4-60) leading the way as a concussion replacement for Vishwa Fernando.

Squads

Bangladesh

Mominul Haque (Capt), Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Najmul Hossain, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Liton Das, Yasir Ali, Mosaddek Hossain, Taijul Islam, Ebadot Hossain, Khaled Ahmed, Quazi Nurul Hasan, Rejaur Rahman, Shohidul Islam.

Sri Lanka

Dimuth Karunaratne (captain), Kamil Mishara, Oshada Fernando, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella, Dinesh Chandimal, Ramesh Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Suminda Lakshan, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Praveen Jayawickrama, Lasith Embuldeniya.

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