The two teams that are to be played in the ICC World Test Championship Final in June were already finalized. However, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh still have a Test series left in the current WTC cycle. Even though they cannot make it to the Final with a clean sweep in this series, this had opened doors for a bigger debate – Is ICC’s WTC a success or a failure? Nevertheless, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are fighting it out in a 2-match Test series starting from Wednesday (Apr 21). Both these Test matches are scheduled to be played at the same venue – Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele.
Sri Lanka:
Home team Sri Lanka are favorites going into this 2-match Test series against Bangladesh. Even though they were whitewashed in their last home Test series in the hands of England in January earlier this year, they have made enough changes to their playing XI that had later drawn a 2-match series in West Indies.
The return of Angelo Mathews will boost their batting unit who earlier missed the later part of the Caribbean tour owing to personal reasons. Pathum Nissanka had a great series in West Indies and would like to continue his form in this upcoming series. The likes of experienced batters like Dimuth Karunaratne and Dinesh Chandimal would have to take the lead and drive their team to post great totals in this series.
Suranga Lakmal led their bowling unit in the Caribbean tour and would have to take up the mantle in this upcoming Bangladesh series as well. Lasith Embuldeniya wreaked havoc during the England series earlier this year but now has been ruled out of this Bangladesh series with injury. It would be up to Wanindu Hasaranga and Lakshan Sandakan to lead their spin department. Dananjaya de Silva too would be handy in these conditions though!
Squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lahiru Thirimanne, Niroshan Dickwella, Asitha Fernando, Oshada Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Praveen Jayawickrama, Lahiru Kumara, Suranga Lakmal, Dilshan Madushanka, Ramesh Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Dasun Shanaka, Roshen Silva
Bangladesh:
The visiting side, Bangladesh, is completely under pressure going into this 2-match Test series in Sri Lanka. They have lost all their 5 Test matches played in this WTC cycle thus far. This upcoming series in Sri Lanka would be their last shot at opening their account in the WTC points table for this cycle. Even a draw would help them open their account but the recent Test matches in Sri Lanka haven’t resulted in a Draw unless seriously affected by rain! Bangladesh need to really punch above their weight if they have to produce a result in their favor in this Test series.
Bangladesh need to open with a different opening as Soumya Sarkar is not picked for this series. On the other hand, Shakib al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman have decided to feature in the ongoing Indian Premier league rather than participating in this Test series. This would mean Bangladesh would be a little short on experience in this tour.
Squad: Mominul Haque (c), Liton Das, Mohammad Mithun, Mushfiqur Rahim, Tamim Iqbal, Shadman Islam, Abu Jayed, Taijul Islam, Najmul Hossain, Mehidy Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Saif Hasan, Yasir Ali, Shoriful Islam.
Head-to-Head record:
Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have played in 20 Test matches against each other out of which Sri Lanka had won 16 games! Bangladesh won just a Test match while the remaining 3 matches were drawn. Sri Lanka’s only defeat to Bangladesh in Tests came in 2017 in Colombo. Meanwhile, Bangladesh are yet to win a Test series against Sri Lanka. If they can make that feat during this Test series, it would be a massive achievement for them!
Where to watch:
The 2-match series can be watched live on Sony Network in India. The live stream will also be broadcasted through the Sony LIV app.
Bangladesh tour of Sri Lanka 2021 schedule:
Test #1: Apr 21 – Apr 25, Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh. Venue: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele
Test #2: Apr 29 – May 03, Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh. Venue: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele
0 Comments