Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, 2022 – 1st Test match preview, predicted lineups
Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will go head to head in the first Test of the two-test series on Sunday as Test matches resume. Both teams will be looking for a win here.
Date & Time : 15th-19th May, 10:00 AM Local Time
Venue : Zahur Ahmed Choudhury Stadium, Chittagong
Bangladesh cricket have progressed way further in recent times and they are now counted favourites before the beginning of series’ as they now play SL. In the two test series they will be favoured to win.
Bangladeshi team in the recent tours to far NZ did well in the test arena and it got their names up in the cricketing world and they would want to be known that way albeit a dismal showing in SA in tests. They are a quality side now.
Looking at the current team for the tests against SL they have some good options with bowlers like Taijul Islam, Shoriful Islam, Ebadot Hossain and Mehidy Hasan amongst their ranks. They can do the damage. Batting wise they have experience with the likes of Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das and Mushfiqur Rahim. They will just need to emphasise on playing quality cricket.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka with the ongoing turmoil on home soil will look to draw the attention away and give joy to the Lankan public though sports and their cricket.
SL in the recently concluded Test series in India were not upto the mark and suffered heavy losses. They would not want a repeat of that in Bangladesh. They will have to play their brand of cricket.
Looking at the quality in their players, they have it in abundance. Bowling wise they have the likes of Lasith Embuldeniya, Vishwa Fernando and Chamika Karunaratne to name a few while batting wise they have captain Dimuth Karunaratne, experienced Angelo Mathews and wicket-keeper batsman Kusal Mendis.
In terms of the head to head in Tests, Sri Lanka at the moment are way ahead 17-1 compared to Bangladesh out of the 22 games played with 4 draws.
For the wicket, the batsman should be able to score with bowlers also having something in it for them.
Team news and possible lineups
Shakib Al Hasan has tested negative for Covid-19 and is in contention to play the first test.
Bangladesh XI : T. Iqbal, M Hasan Joy, Shanto, Haque (C), Rahim (WK), Das, M. Hasan, T. Islam, S. Islam, E. Hossain, N. Hasan.
Sri Lanka XI : D. Karunaratne (C), K. Mendis, O. Fernando, D. de Silva, Mathews, Dickwella (WK), R. Mendis, V. Fernando/C. Karunaratne, Embuldeniya, Rajitha, Jayawickrama.
Prediction
For me toss will be crucial and may decide the outcome of this match.
