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Who will host the T20 World Cup and the rest of IPL 2021?
The IPL 2021 has been postponed indefinitely due to the worsening situation of covid-19 in India but the remaining 31 matches of the tournament likely to be played before or immediately after the T20 World Cup. The T20 World Cup is scheduled to be held in India between October and November. No team wants to come to India now because of the Coronavirus situation. As host, India will have to decide where the World Cup and IPL14 will be staged later this year. This article has discussed, who will host the T20 World Cup and the rest of IPL 2021?
Reason for postponing IPL 2021 in the middle of the tournament
IPL 2021 was indefinitely postponed on Tuesday due to a massive outbreak of novel Coronavirus. Including Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore, every day 3/4 lakh people in India are infected with covid-19. At the moment, the pandemic is killing between 3,000 and 4,000 people per day in India.
Also Read: Shakib Al Hasan vs Mustafizur Rahman: Who is the most successful player in IPL
In this situation, the Indian Cricket Board decided to keep the IPL going by creating bio-bubbles for the tournament. The BCCI was forced to suspend the IPL indefinitely in the third week of the tournament after some players and team management members were diagnosed with the coronavirus.
The BCCI has been criticized for continuing to run the IPL in such a difficult situation. Meanwhile, a lawyer has filed a case worth Rs 1,000 crore in the Supreme Court against the Indian Cricket Board.
The favorite to host the T20 World Cup and the rest of IPL 2021
According to Indian Cricket Board President Sourav Ganguly and other BCCI officials, they will meet with the International Cricket Council (ICC) in the next one to two months to discuss hosting the Twenty20 World Cup. The third wave of coronavirus could hit the entire subcontinent, including India by November of this year. As a result, India will not be able to host the T20 World Cup. In this case, the BCCI is considering hosting the tournament in a different country.
The United Arab Emirates is India's first choice as an alternative. Last year, the UAE successfully hosted the IPL. That's why the Indian Cricket Board is considering staging the World Cup as well as the remainder of the IPL 2021 in the UAE this year.
Besides, Sri Lanka was being considered a probable host country for the T20 World Cup. The UAE is widely regarded as the best place to host such a massive tournament during the coronavirus outbreak. In that case, all T20 World Cup matches will take place in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah in October and November. On the other hand, the remainder of the IPL 2021 will likely be held in September.
Also Read: BAN v SL ODI 2021: How Bangladesh Can Rank Top in ICC super league
Bottom Line
The T20 World Cup and the remaining matches of the IPL will be held in a different location since India's condition is very fragile due to Covid-19. We have learned from the above discussion that who will host the T20 World Cup and the rest of IPL 2021? But one thing is certain, the coronavirus epidemic cannot be contained without adequate covid-19 bio-bubbles. So, regardless of which country is staging the tournaments, this is a serious matter.
Shakib, Mustafizur return to Dhaka
Bangladesh allrounder Shakib Al Hasan and left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman arrived in Dhaka from India.
They were playing Indian Premier League (IPL) for Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals respectively.
A special flight, carrying Shakib and Mustafizur, landed in Dhaka at 3:30pm on Thursday. They now will have to maintain a strict 14-day quarantine in a Dhaka hotel.
The latest edition of IPL has been suspended indefinitely after the Covid-19 hit the event.
On May 3, two of Shakib’s KKR teammates tested positive for Covid-19. More players from several IPL franchises have were also found positive for the deadly virus and the authority was forced to suspend the league indefinitely.
Shakib and Mustafizur, however, were stuck in India as the Bangladesh authority imposed a ban on the flights from India to stop the transmission of the virus. The wo crickets had to wait for two days to return home.
Shakib and Mustafizur are drafted in the preliminary squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka starting on May 23.
Both of them missed the Sri Lanka tour for a two-match Test series that took place in Sri Lanka. They were on leave to take part in IPL.
Shakib Al Hasan vs Mustafizur Rahman: Who is the most successful player in IPL?
Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman are the two best cricketers in Bangladesh. Shakib has been one of the best all-rounders in the world over the past several years. In 2015, he became the first cricketer to top the ICC all-rounder rankings in all formats at the same time. On the other hand, Mustafizur Rahman stunned the cricketing world in 2015 with impressive performances against Pakistan, India, and South Africa. These two cricketers are regular participants in IPL tournaments. This article analyzes the performances of Shakib and Mustafizur in the cash-rich franchise league to identify who is the most successful player in IPL?
Shakib and Mustafiz's IPL performances based on stats
Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman have been key players for their respective teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in recent years. Mustafizur made his IPL debut in 2016 for Sunrisers Hyderabad, while Shakib made his debut in 2011 for Kolkata Knight Riders. Both players have also won IPL titles with their respective teams.
Read: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka: Key ODI Records
IPL Trophy
Shakib Al Hasan has won the IPL trophy twice in his 9-year career. Shakib won the IPL trophy with the Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2012 and 2014 seasons. Shakib was also a part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad team that finished second in the Indian Premier League in 2018.
On the other hand, Mustafizur Rahman won the title for Sunrisers Hyderabad in his first season, in 2016. He was a member of the Hyderabad franchise in the 2017 season as well. Mustafizur also played for the Rohit Sharma's Mumbai Indians in 2018 and the Rajasthan Royals in 2021.
Batting & Bowling Record
Shakib Al Hasan Batting Performance in IPL
Match
Runs
HS
Ave
SR
100
50
6s
66
784
66*
20.63
124.84
0
2
21
Shakib Al Hasan Bowling Performance in IPL
Match
Wkts
BBM
Ave
SR
Econ
5W
CT
66
61
3/17
28.40
22.75
7.49
0
12
Mustafizur Rahman Batting Performance in IPL
Match
Runs
HS
Ave
SR
100
50
6s
31
01
01
1.00
14.28
0
0
0
Mustafizur Rahman Bowling Performance in IPL
Match
Wkts
BBM
Ave
SR
Econ
5W
CT
31
32
3/16
28.40
22.15
7.69
0
04
Sources: https://www.iplt20.com/
Shakib Al Hasan had his best IPL season with Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2018. In 17 matches, he scored 239 runs at a strike rate of 121.31. Shakib also took 14 wickets at an economy rate of 8.
On the other hand, Mustafizur Rahman had his best IPL season with Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016. The Fizz took 17 wickets with an average of 24.76 and a 6.90 economy rate.
When comparing the figures of the two players, it can be seen that Mustafizur Rahman's contribution in bowling is relatively better than Shakib's. On the other hand, Shakib has scored some runs with the bat since he is an all-rounder. But Shakib has not been as aggressive as a T20 batsman in the Indian Premier League.
Read: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka Test Series 2021: Bangladesh Team Report Card
Performance in the championship matches
Shakib Al Hasan was a crucial player for Kolkata in both the 2012 and 2014 finals. Kolkata reached the target with 3 balls to spare after chasing 200 runs in 2012 final against Kings XI Punjab. In that match, Shakib scored 12 runs off 7 balls. But it was his balling that thrived in the championship match. Shakib was the most economical (4 - 0 - 26 - 0) among the Kolkata bowlers.
Two years later, all-rounder Shakib played an important role once again in the final against Chennai in 2014. Batted first, Chennai scored 190 runs for the loss of three wickets. Shakib bowled three overs and took one wicket for 25 runs. Shakib contributed to Kolkata's victory by playing an unbeaten innings of 11 * off 7 balls after losing the wicket of Yusuf Pathan at the crucial moment.
On the other hand, in 2016, Sunrisers Hyderabad batted first and scored 208 runs for the loss of 7 wickets. In reply, Royal Challengers Bangalore only managed to score 200 runs for the loss of seven wickets. Mustafiz didn't bat in the final. He took the wicket of Shane Watson in his 4 overs spell and gave away 36 runs.
Read: BAN v SL ODI 2021: How Bangladesh Can Rank Top in ICC ODI Super League
Verdict
Shakib Al Hasan is believed to be ahead of Mustafizur Rahman in terms of having an impact on a team's success. Shakib has just two half-centuries and has yet to complete a thousand runs despite appearing in more than 50 IPL matches. He has also 61 wickets at an economy rate of 7.49. On the other hand, Mustafizur Rahman has appeared in five IPL tournaments and has taken 32 wickets in 31 matches with an economy rate of 7.69. Mustafizur was named the best emerging player in 2016 following a stellar season with Sunrisers Hyderabad. But Shakib should be regarded as the most successful player in IPL since he was outstanding for Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2018 and made an impact in both finals for Kolkata.
Soumya eyes home series win against Lankans
Bangladesh left-handed top-order batsman Soumya Sarkar has said that he is not bothered much about what has happened in the New Zealand tour earlier this year, he rather is looking forward to winning the home series against Sri Lanka later in May.
Bangladesh national team is currently gearing up for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka starting from May 23. Soumya missed the two-match Test series against the same opponent which was played recently.
“We have been working hard to forget what we have done in New Zealand. We are looking forward to doing well in the home series against Sri Lanka,” Soumya told the reporters on Wednesday.
“Every series is important for us. We are hopeful of keeping the title of the home series at the home and we will come up with a good brand of cricket,” he added.
Bangladesh played the last ODI series in New Zealand. The hosts won the series 3-0. Bangladesh failed to pose any strong challenge in that series. During that contest, Bangladesh missed the service of the ace allrounder Shakib Al Hasan who was on leave. But he is set to join the team in this home series.
“It’s a big thing that we will get the service of Shakib back,” Soumya added. “And we will also have the service of Mustafizur (Rahman) who was playing well in IPL. They are set to make a comeback together. I hope they will complete the series well.”
The Tigers played a three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka in 2019 in Sri Lanka which the hosts won 3-0. Soumya believes if Bangladesh can play according to their ability, the series would be an exciting one.
“When we take the field we eye to win. In this series, we will go match by match. At first, we have to win the opening game, then we will try to win the second one,” Soumya added.
Soumya played 61 ODIs till the date but failed to cement his place in the national team. He scored 1768 runs in an average of 32.14 with two centuries and 11 fifties. He also bagged 11 wickets with the best of 3 for 56.
BPL Football: Mohammedan move to 5th spot beating Saif 2-1
Dhaka Mohammedan advanced to 5th spot in the points table of 13-team Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football, beating Saif Sporting 2-1 in a second phase match Wednesday.
With the day's feat at Bangabandhu National Stadium, Mohammedan not only moved to 5th place but also avenged their 2-1 defeat against Saif in the first phase league.
Also read: BPL Football: Mohammedan SC make good start beating Arambagh KS 2-1
Mohammedan has so far secured 25 points from 14 matches while Saif has slipped to the sixth slot, from 5th place, with their previous credit of 23 points from 14 encounters.
Earlier, Mohammedan made a good start to the second phase beating their neighbour Arambagh 2-1, riding on a double strike of Mali forward Souleymane Diabate.
Also read: BPL Football: Bashundhara crush Baridhara 6-0
After a barren first half in the day's match, Cameroon striker Yassan Quatching put Mohammedan ahead in the 52nd minute (1-0), while Maraz Hosssin restored the parity for Saif in the 69th minute (1-1).
Souleymane, who scored twice in Mohammedan's 2-1 victory over Arambagh in the last match, again came to his team's rescue, scoring the match-winner in the 83rd minute (2-1).
BCB announces itinerary for Sri Lanka's tour of Bangladesh
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Wednesday announced the itinerary for this month's Sri Lanka's tour of Bangladesh to play a three-match ODI series against the Tigers.
The islanders Sri Lanka will arrive in the capital on May 16 to play three day-night basis ODI matches on May 23, 25 and 28, all at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka.
Also Read:Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka: Key ODI Records
Soon after their arrival, Sri Lanka team will go for a three-day quarantine from May 16-18.
On completion of the quarantine period, the tourists will have an opportunity to make a two-day training session at BCB national cricket academy on May 19-20.
Later, the visiting Lankan team will play a lone one-day practice match on May 21 at BKSP in Savar.
Bangladesh played a two-match test series in Sri Lanka recently and lost the series 1-0.
Earlier on last Saturday, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced a 23-member preliminary squad Sri Lanka’s Tour of Bangladesh '2021.
Also Read:Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka Test Series 2021: Bangladesh Team Report Card
Bangladesh preliminary squad: Tamim Iqbal Khan, Naim Sheikh, Imrul Kayes, Litton Kumer Das, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Md Mithun, Mahmud Ullah, Afif Hossain Dhrubo, Musaddek Hossain Saikat, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Shaif Uddin, Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam and Shohidul Islam.
Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka: Key ODI Records
The ODI series between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will begin later this month. Bangladesh are one of the tough ODI teams in the world, particularly at home. They thrashed the Windies in their most recent home series but lost to the Blackcaps 3-0 in New Zealand. While, Sri Lanka was defeated 3-0 by the Windies in their last ODI series. Therefore the forthcoming series will be important for both teams. Sri Lanka have a significant advantage over Bangladesh in terms of the ODI record between these two teams. Let's take a look at Key ODI Records between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Head to head Bilateral ODI series record
Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will face off in a three-match One-Day International series starting from May 23. All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman will return to the Bangladesh ODI squad for the limited-over series. Both players were unable to participate in the Test series due to their commitments to the IPL 2021. On the other hand, led by DimuthKarunaratne the Sri Lankan ODI team will be aiming to win the series against Bangladesh. Here is Bangladesh's and Sri Lanka's head-to-head bilateral ODI series record.
Read: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka Test Series 2021: Bangladesh Team Report Card
Ninth bilateral ODI series:
Both teams played eight bilateral ODI series prior to the upcoming series. Only two series were drawn by Bangladesh, while Sri Lanka won six.
Six bilateral ODI series in Sri Lanka:
Bangladesh played a total of six bilateral series in Sri Lanka. In which two series were drawn 1-1 and Bangladesh lost in the remaining 4 series. In total, Sri Lanka won 14 games while Bangladesh won two.
Third bilateral ODI series in Bangladesh:
This will be the third bilateral ODI series between the two countries in Bangladesh. The Tigers' lost in the previous two series. In all, Sri Lanka have won a total of 5 matches while Bangladesh have won one match.
Read: BAN v SL ODI 2021: How Bangladesh Can Rank Top in ICC ODI Super League
Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka: Key ODI Records ahead of the series
Bangladeshi players have a decent record against Sri Lanka in the one-day international format. Some of the most notable individual ODI records between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are mentioned below.
Bangladesh
Sri Lanka
Matches Played (48)
07
39
Most Runs
Mushfiqur Rahim (783 runs in 28 innings)
Kumar Sangakkara (1,206 runs in 28 innings)
Highest Score
Mushfiqur Rahim (144)
TillakaratneDilshan (161*)
Most Hundreds
Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim (1)
Kumar Sangakkara (5)
Most Wickets
MashrafeMortaza (26 wickets in 22 innings)
MutiahMuralitharan(31 wickets in 17 innings)
Best Bowling Figures (Innings)
AbdurRazzak (5/62)
ChamindaVaas(6/25)
Most Matches
Mushfiqur Rahim (30)
Kumar Sangakkara (31)
Highest Partnership
Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan (144)
UpulTharanga and MahelaJayawardene (215)
Most Catches
Tamim Iqbal (11)
MahelaJayawardene (18)
Most Dismissals
Mushfiqur Rahim (25)
Kumar Sangakkara (49)
Source: Espncricinfo
Read: Bangladesh’s Greatest XI in Test cricket based only on Stats
ODI Record at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mirpur
Matches Played: 110 | Bat-first (won): 49 | Bat-Second (won): 59 | Draw/Tie/Abandoned: 02 | Highest Innings: 185* (Shane Watson) | Best Bowling (innings): 6/4 (Stuart Binny) | Highest Team innings: 370/4 | Lowest Team Innings: 58 | Highest Run Chase:330/4
Bangladesh’s ODI record at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium: Won: 46 | Lost: 46 | Draw/Tie/Abandoned: 1
Sri Lanka’s ODI record at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium: Won: 15 | Lost: 07 | Draw/Tie/Abandoned: 0
Source:Espncricnfo
Series fixture:
Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka: 1st ODI: May 23| 2nd ODI: May 25| 3rd ODI: May 27 | Venue: Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium
Read: Potential Young Players Who Could Rule World Cricket This Decade
Players to watch out in Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka ODI Series 2021
Bangladesh
Three Key Batsmen: Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan
Three Key Bowlers: Mustafizur Rahman, Shakib Al Hasan, Rubel Hossain
Predicted Playing XI for the first ODI
Tamim Iqbal (captain), Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Mithun, MahmudullahRiyad, MahediHasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Rubel Hossain
Sri Lanka
Three Key Batsmen: DimuthKarunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal, ThisaraPerera
Three Key Bowlers: SurangaLakmal, ThisaraPerera, Lakshan Sandakan
Predicted Playing XI for the first ODI
DanushkaGunathilaka, DimuthKarunaratne (captain), PathumNissanka, Dinesh Chandimal, DasunShanaka, Angelo Mathews , ThisaraPerera, WaninduHasaranga de Silva, SurangaLakmal, Lakshan Sandakan, Asitha Fernando
Read: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka: Five Times When Bangladesh Stun Sri Lanka
Bottom Line
The Lankan players appear to be well ahead of the tigers in key ODI records between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Both teams will be determined to give it their all in this three-match series, which is part of the ICC Cricket World Cup Super League. So, we can anticipate a highly competitive series between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
14-day quarantine must for Shakib, Mustafizur
Bangladesh cricket stars— Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman— are set to return home from India within 48 hours, and right after arriving in Dhaka, they will have to maintain a mandatory 14-day quarantine period in a government-specified institute, confirmed the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The duo were playing the Indian Premier League (IPL) which was postponed on Tuesday after some players tested positive for Covid-19. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has earlier applied to DGHS to relax quarantine for these two, but DGHS said they have no choice but to maintain a quarantine period.
Currently, there is no flight operational between India and Bangladesh. The Bangladesh authority has put international flights with India on hold aiming to avoid the risk of bringing Covid-19 infected people to Bangladesh.
Nizamuddin Chowdhury, the chief executive officer of BCB, has said Shakib and Mustafizur will have to return home with a special arrangement. He, however, didn’t specify what the special arrangement would be to bring them back home.
BCB is eager to ensure the service of these two in the upcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka which will take place later in May. BCB has already announced a preliminary squad for this series which includes both Shakib and Mustafizur.
Bangladesh’s last international assignment was in Sri Lanka where they played two Tests. The first match of the series ended in a draw, the other game was won by the hosts by 209 runs.
Bangladesh returned home on Tuesday from Sri Lanka. After arriving in Dhaka, Bangladesh’s head coach Russell Domingo talked to the media. While talking about Shakib and Mustafizur, he said their inclusion is vital for Bangladesh to win the series against Sri Lanka at home.
“It’s good to have Shakib and Mustafizur back (in the team). The next series will be important as (World Cup) qualification points are up for grabs. We need to bounce back after a tough series in New Zealand,” Domingo told the media.
“It's good to be playing in the home conditions again. As I said, it's good to get experienced players like Shakib and Mustafiz back. We will be playing against a very dangerous side. So, we have to play really well to beat them,” Domingo added saying that the team will practice for three days before the Eid vacation.
IPL suspended after detection of more Covid-19 cases
The Indian Premier League (IPLS) was suspended on Tuesday after players and staff of three clubs tested positive for Covid-19.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) issued a statement saying local authorities and tournament officials took the decision unanimously “to postpone IPL 2021 season, with immediate effect.”
Read Also: Covid-19 hits IPL: Two KKR players test positive
“The BCCI does not want to compromise on the safety of the players, support staff and the other participants involved in organizing the IPL,” the BCCI said.
“These are difficult times, especially in India. While we have tried to bring in some positivity and cheer, however, it is imperative that the tournament is now suspended and everyone goes back to their families and loved ones in these trying times.”
The first cases involving players inside the IPL’s biosecure bubble forced Monday’s game between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore to be postponed.
The count grew on Tuesday when two Chennai Super Kings staffers and a Sunrisers Hyderabad player also returned positive tests.
The IPL has been staging games without spectators every evening since April 9 despite India’s stretched health system being pushed to the brink by another major wave of the pandemic.
Read Also: Covid-19 concerns: Ashwin, Zampa, Richardson, Tye leave IPL
Players from all over the world compete in the lucrative Twenty20 tournament, which was forced by the pandemic to the United Arab Emirates last year.
The BCCI said it would do “everything in its powers to arrange for the secure and safe passage of all the participants in IPL 2021.”
India’s official count of coronavirus cases surpassed 20 million on Tuesday, nearly doubling in the past three months, while deaths officially have passed 220,000. Staggering as those numbers are, the true figures are believed to be far higher, the undercount an apparent reflection of the troubles in the health care system.
On Monday, the IPL postponed the Kolkata-Bangalore game after Varun Chakravarthy and Sandeep Warrier, who play for Kolkata, became the first players to test positive for Covid-19 inside the IPL bubble.
Last week, Australian players Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa and Kane Richardson flew home from the IPL amid the surge of cases. Richardson and Zampa were playing for Bangalore, and Tye for Rajasthan Royals.
Read Also: Delhi, Mumbai record identical 7-wicket victories in IPL
Two other cricketers — Englishman Liam Livingstone, who was with Rajasthan, and Ravichandran Ashwin, who was with Delhi — also left the IPL. Livingstone cited “bubble fatigue” and Ashwin wanted to be with his family in the crisis.
IPL went ahead on the basis that teams stay in biosecure areas at hotels and resorts in the six venues in India where the competition is taking place.
Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka Test Series 2021: Bangladesh Team Report Card
Bangladesh lost the two-match Test series to Sri Lanka (1-0) after losing the series decider match by a huge 209-run margin on Sunday at the Pallekele Stadium in Kandy. Bangladesh showed no aggression against the hosts during the second match. Both Shakib and Mustafizur were unable to play in the Test series because of their commitments to the IPL 2021. Bangladesh had struggled against the Lankans because of their absence, but the rest of the players should have taken more responsibility in order to clinch the series. Here is the Bangladesh team report card at the end of the BAN v SL Test series.
Bangladesh team performance breakdown against Sri Lanka Test series 2021
Batting/Top order
Saif Hassan and Najmul Hossain were inconsistent in batting
The experienced opener Tamim Iqbal was consistent with the bat, but the other two top-order batsmen Saif Hassan and Nazmul Hossain Shanto were not consistent at all. Nazmul Hossain provided a glimpse of hope by scoring 163 runs in the first innings of the first Test, but he went on to score 0, 0, and 26 in the next three innings.On the other hand, young opener Saif Hassan made just 60 runs in 4 innings.
Despite the fact that two young batsmen were unable to take advantage of Pallekele's batting-friendly wicket, but veteran Tamim was successful with the bat. Tamim hit a half-century in the first three innings of the series. Twice he was out in the nervous 90. His lowest score on the tour was 26 in the last innings of the second Test. Tamim scored the second-highest 260 runs at an average of 93.33 in 4 innings.Sri Lankan captain Dimuth Karunaratne scored the most 428 runs in the series.
Even though Tamim got runs, Bangladeshi fans are disappointed with his overall batting performance. Because Bangladesh campaign expects big innings from experienced cricketers like Tamim. In both matches, Kandy's wicket was helpful for the batters and Tamim should have played a big innings on such a pitch. But he failed to play a big knock despite starting well on at least two occasions, which was unacceptable.
Read: BAN v SL ODI 2021: How Bangladesh Can Rank Top in ICC ODI Super League
Batting/Middle-Order
Captain Mominul was the only consistent performer in the middle order
Aside from Captain Mominul Haque, no Bangladeshi middle-order batsman performed well in the series. He scored the third most 231 runs at an average of 77 in this series. Skipper Mominul played an effective 127-run knock in the first innings of the first Test.
Mr. Dependable Mushfiqur Rahim batted for one innings in the first Test. In that innings, he was unbeaten on 68 *. But Mushfiqur was unable to play a big knock in both innings of the second Test. There was a lot of expectation from a batsman like him at the crucial stage, but he couldn't deliver. Wicketkeeper-batsman Liton Das also struggled with the bat. He scored 75 runs in 3 innings.
Read: Bangladesh’s Greatest XI in Test cricket based only on Stats
Bowling/Pace
Pacer Taskin Ahmed back to his best
Taskin Ahmed's return to his former glory was the biggest success in this series for Bangladesh. In both games, he was at his best. Bangladesh fielders missed several opportunities of Taskin's deliveries but he did not give up. The right-arm medium pacer tried again and again in the hopes of success. As a result, he finished the series with the most wickets among Bangladeshi bowlers.
Taskin took 8 wickets in 3 innings and his best bowling figure was 4/127. After such a performance, fans can expect to see Taskin in the Bangladesh Test XI on a regular basis.
Although Taskin did well, Bangladesh's other fast bowlers were disappointing in the series. Both Abu Jayed Rahi and Ebadot Hossain were ineffective. Debutant young left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam bowled 30 overs in his first match and took one wicket for 99 runs at a 3.30 economy rate.
Read: Potential Young Players Who Could Rule World Cricket This Decade
Bowling/Spin
Taijul Islam was the only Bangladeshi bowler to take five wickets in an innings in this series
Bangladesh's spin bowlers were relatively quiet in this series. Miraj had a total of four wickets in three innings, with an economy rate of 3.19. On the other side, like pacer Taskin, left-arm spinner Taijul Islam took a total of 8 wickets in the series. He is the only Bangladeshi bowler in the series to take five wickets (5/62) in an innings. He accomplished this feat in the first innings of the second Test. Besides that, Taijul Islam was the most economical (3.10) among Bangladeshi bowlers.
Read: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka: Five Times When Bangladesh Stun Sri Lanka
Fielding
Bangladesh's fielding did not improve much in the Test series against Sri Lanka. Missed catches and misfielding were usual scenarios in the series. Cricketers must improve their physical fitness in order to play five-day cricket. Otherwise, it's impossible to expect better outcomes in ground fielding.
Read: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka: Top five memorable performances in Test Cricket
Bottom Line
The Bangladesh team report card reveals that, with the exception of a few players, none of the other players had satisfactory performances in the series. Prior to the series, it was expected that Mominul Haque-led Bangladesh team would perform well, but their overall performance, especially in the second match was utterly disappointing. They should have played much better this series to regain confidence in the Test format. Bangladesh's next series will be at home against Sri Lanka. Team Tigers' will play 3 ODIs against Sri Lanka which is also part of ICC's World Cup ODI Super League.