BAN vs SL | 1st Test | Match Preview, Prediction, Probable XI, CREX XI

Sri Lankan cricketers will look to detract their fans from political chaos back home when they cross swords against Bangladesh in a two-match Test series starting from May 15 (Sunday) at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram, Bangladesh. 

The opening Test between the two sides will also mark the return of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023 after a gap of a month or so. Both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have endured a tough time recently in the game's longest format. 

While the Tigers were handed two consecutive defeats at the hands of South Africa, Sri Lanka was humiliated by team India in the two-match Test series. Hence, a lot will be at stake when the two sides greet each other at Chattogram.

Teams Preview

Bangladesh: The host side has dealt with a massive blow ahead of the commencement of the two-match Test series as their star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who tested positive for COVID-19 a week ago, has recovered and will be available for the first Test against Sri Lanka.

Shoriful Islam is expected to lead Bangladesh's bowling attack in the absence of several key players. However, his participation in the playing eleven is subject to fitness. 

Having said that, one can't take them lightly as this is the same side that won in New Zealand, arguably the most challenging venue to face a red ball in recent times. They showed an immense amount of grit and determination with both bat and ball to pull the game in their favour. 

Sri Lanka: This is going to be the first assignment for newly appointed Sri Lankan head coach Chris Silverwood, and he will be eager to correct the mistakes he committed before. 

The Sri Lankan team is in a better position than the host's side as they have two wins from four games and are currently placed at the fifth position in the points table. Team India butchered them 2-0 in March in the two-match Test series as the Lankan Lions failed to cross the 250-run mark in either of the games.

Dimuth Karunaratne, the highest scorer from the Sri Lankan side in the series, smashed a century in the second Test match, and it was the only good knock from the Lankan side in the blockaded series. Both the sides will be battling it out for the crucial points in the WTC points table, making it a mouth-watering clash in Bangladesh. 

Match Details

Match: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test

Venue: Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram, Bangladesh.

Date & Time: 15th May - 19th May 2022, 10:00 AM 

Live Streaming: FanCode 

Pitch Report: The pitch at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram has been one of the best for batting in the last couple of red-ball games played at this venue. The team winning the toss would like to bat first. Spinners will dominate the contest in the final two days of the game, having a significant impact on the outcome of the game.  

Pitch Stats

Total Matches: 21

Matches won batting first: 08

Matches won bowling first: 07

Average 1st Innings score: 370

Average 2nd Innings score: 339

Average 3rd Innings score: 230

Average 4th Innings score: 215

Highest Total: 713/9 by SL vs BAN

Lowest Total: 119/10 by BAN vs SA

Head-To-Head

Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have crossed swords against each other 22 times in the red-ball format, where the latter has been dominating by 17 wins. The Tigers have just one win while four matches ended in a draw.

The last time the two sides met each other in a Test match, it was Sri Lanka which emerged victorious by handing Bangladesh a 209 runs defeat at Pallekele. 

Squads

Bangladesh: Mominul Haque Showrab (Captain), Tamim Iqbal Khan, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Kumar Das, Yasir Ali Chowdhury, Taijul Islam, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Ibadot Hossain Chowdhury, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Qazi Nurul Hasan Sohan, Rejaur Rahman Raja, Shohidul Islam, Shoriful 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, Sumida Lakshan, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Praveen Jayawickrama, Lasith Embuldeniya

Probable Playing XI 

Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mominul Haque (c), Liton Das (wk), Yasir Ali Chowdhury, Taijul Islam, Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Syed Khaled Ahmed

Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Kusal Mendis, Oshada Fernando, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjay de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Kamindu Mendis, Vishwa Fernando/Chamika Karunaratne, Asitha Fernando, Lasith Embuldeniya, Praveen Jayawickrama 

CREX XI Suggestion

Wicket-Keeper: Kusal Mendis, Mushfiqur Rahim

Batters: Angelo Mathews, Dimuth Karunaratne, Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudul Hasan Joy

All-Rounders: Dhananjay de Silva

Bowlers: Ebadot Hossain, Taijul Islam, Chamika Karunaratne, Lasith Embuldeniya 

Captain: Dimuth Karunaratne

Vice-Captain: Dhananjay de Silva