Test cricket
Tigers reach Kandy for Sri Lanka Tests
Bangladesh national team have reached Sri Lanka's Kandy to play a two-match Test series against the hosts.
Bangladesh's media manager Rabeed Imam who is travelling with the team in the island nation confirmed this on Monday.
The Tigers played a two-day practice game in Katunayake ahead of the series. Twenty-one players have travelled to Sri Lanka for the preliminary squad.
The team management will announce the final squad ahead of the first Test, which will start on April 21.
Due to the Covid-19 situation in Sri Lanka, both Tests will take place at the same venue – Pallekele International Cricket Stadium of Kandy – so that the players do not have to move much.
This series is part of the World Test Championship. Bangladesh have played five matches of this event but failed to win any of them while Sri Lanka played 10 games of this event and won only one.
The series will be Bangladesh's first Test competition abroad during the pandemic. Mominul Haque, Bangladesh's Test captain, earlier said they can win this series.
"If we can give 100% effort, we can win this series," Mominul told the media before leaving for Sri Lanka.
"What we have done in Tests in the past is past. We do not know what will happen in the future. We have to play well in every session of the game."
Also read: Tour match: Tamim's Red team beat Mominul's Green by 89 runs
Bangladesh will miss the service of all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman in the series.
Both of them are busy playing in the Indian Premier League; Shakib is representing Kolkata Knight Riders, Mustafizur is playing for Rajasthan Royals.
Bangladesh played 12 Tests in Sri Lanka and won just one on their 100th Test and drew one.
Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka: Top five memorable performances in Test Cricket
A player must be well disciplined in order to play Test cricket. Both batsmen and bowlers should have a great deal of patience to succeed in the longer version format. Batsmen must demonstrate a true fighting spirit against the bowling unit for a great outcome. On the other side, bowlers should diversify their bowling to pick up wickets. Bangladesh have played 20 Test matches against Sri Lanka over the last two decades. We have witnessed some excellent individual performances in the matches between these two teams. This article highlights the top five memorable performances in Test cricket between Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka.
Remarkable individual performances in Test between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka
We've seen a lot of game-changing Test performances between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, but picking the best from the bests is always difficult. Keeping this in mind, we've made a list of some of the most memorable cricket performances. So, without further ado, let’s look at the top five memorable performances in Test cricket between Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka.
Read: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka: Recap of the Key Test Records
5) Shakib Al Hasan: 5/70 & 1/134; 26 & 96 (SBNCS, Dhaka,2008)
In 2008, Bangladesh hosted Sri Lanka for a two-match Test series. Sri Lanka came close to losing the first match of the series to Bangladesh. However, the Lankans eventually won the match by 108 runs thanks to the responsible bowling of Muttiah Muralitharan and Dhammika Prasad. Shakib Al Hasan showed a great all-round performance in this match. He took five wickets in the first innings to help Sri Lanka all out for 293 runs.
However, the left-hand spinner had to be satisfied with just one wicket in the second innings. In chase of 521 runs to victory, Shakib Al Hasan first put up a 112-run stand with Mohammad Ashraful (101) in the sixth wicket before forming a 109-run partnership with Mushfiqur Rahim (61) in the seventh wicket, which hurled the Lankan campaign into turmoil. The best player of the match Shakib Al Hasan batted brilliantly in the second innings, scoring 96 runs.
Read: Who will win the IPL 2021? The favorites, underdogs, and outsiders
4) Mushfiqur Rahim: 200 (Galle International Stadium, Galle, 2013)
During the Sri Lanka tour in 2013, young Mushfiqur Rahim put in a strong performance in the first Test in Galle. In that match, Mushfiqur Rahim made history by being the first Bangladeshi batsman to score a double century in a Test match. In response to Sri Lanka's 570, Bangladesh scored 638 in the first innings thanks to Mushfiqur Rahim's 200, Mohammad Ashraful's 190, and Nasir Hossain's 100. The match ended in a draw after eight centuries were scored in four innings. This match will go down in Bangladesh cricket history because of Mushfiqur Rahim's record-breaking knock.
Read: BAN vs SL Cricket Test series 2021: Expected personal milestones to achieve
3) RanganaHerath: 5/68 & 7/89 (Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, 2013)
The host, Sri Lanka, were under a lot of pressure heading into the second Test after drawing the first match. Because the Bangladeshi batsmen had been in good form during that series. As a result, RanganaHerath had to carry the most of the burden of defeating the visitors with a comparatively inexperienced Sri Lankan bowling attack. He took 5 wickets in the first innings and also 7 wickets in the second innings. Herath was instrumental in Sri Lanka's 7-wicket victory in the series decider after taking 12 wickets in the match. Sri Lanka eventually clinched the series 1-0 after winning the second Test.
Read: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka 2021: Analysis of Bangladesh’s Test Squad for Sri Lanka Series
2) Kumar Sangakkara: 319 & 105 (ZACS, Chattogram, 2014)
The legendary Sri Lankan cricketer, Kumar Sangakkara, scored his only triple century against Bangladesh in Chattogram in 2014. During the Bangladesh tour, Sangakkara scored 319 runs in the first innings of the second match of the two-match Test series. Sri Lanka scored 587 runs in the first innings due to his exceptional performance.
Both teams' batsmen scored multiple hundreds in this match on this batting-friendly pitch. As a result, the match ended in a draw. However, Kumar Sangakkara's knock was superb and one of the best performances in the Test format between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Read: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka 2021: Five Things Bangladesh Cricket Team Must Do To win the Test Series in Sri Lanka
1) Mohammad Ashraful: 26 & 114 (SSCG, Colombo, 2001)
Bangladesh's Mohammad Ashraful scored a century in his debut match in 2001 at the age of just 17. As a result, Ashraful became the youngest player to score a century in Test cricket history. Bangladesh were bowled out for only 90 in the first innings of the Asian Test Championship match against Sri Lanka in Colombo. Bangladesh's campaign was fearful of innings defeat in the match after Sri Lanka declared their first innings on 555. Mohammad Ashraful's record-breaking 114 runs brought joy to Bangladesh cricket fans even though they could not avoid defeat in the end.
Read: T20 World Cup 2021: Five Things the Bangladesh Team Needs To Address Before the World T20 2021
Bottom Line
The above-mentioned performances between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are among the best in the Test format to date and have deservedly earned a place in the top five most memorable performances in Test cricket between these two sides. Hopefully, the players on both teams will put on even better shows in the forthcoming series.
Tour match: Tamim's Red team beat Mominul's Green by 89 runs
Tamim Iqbal led Red team earned a comfortable 89 runs victory over Test captain Mominul Haque's Green team in an intra-squad two -day practice match that concluded at the Katunayeke CMC ground in Colombo on Sunday.
Earlier on Saturday, Red team batted first and scored 314 for 6 in 79.2 overs with top four order batsmen self retired making 50 plus runs.
Skipper cum opener Tamim Iqbal scored 63 runs off 69 deliveries hitting nine fours and two sixes,another opener Saif Hasan made 52 runs off 94 balls with six four and one six, one down Nazmul Hossain Shanta contributed 116-ball 53 runs featuring three fours and two sixes while reliable Mushfiqur Rahim hammered 66 runs off 82 balls hitting nine fours and one six.
Also read: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka: Recap of the Key Test Records
Besides, Nurul Hasan Shohan added 62-ball 48 runs making three four and three sixes, Mehidy Hasan Miraz scored 44-ball 24 runs with three boundaries while Taijul Islam made three -ball two runs for the Tamim Iqbal's Red team.
Shuvagata Hom claimed one wicket for 46 runs.
In reply, Test captain Mominul Haque 's Green team opened the innings and were all out for 225 runs in 71 overs with Mominul back to pavilion with duck in the first attempt.
Read: BAN vs SL Cricket Test series 2021: Expected personal milestones to achieve
However, Mominul batted for the 2nd time and scored 47 runs, Litton Das contributed highest 64, Mithun made 28, Shariful not out 20 for the Green team.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz grabbed three wickets for 41 runs, Abu Jayed Rahi and Taijul Islam took one wicket each for 28 and 30 runs respectively.
Also read: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka 2021: Analysis of Bangladesh’s Test Squad for Sri Lanka Series
Touring Bangladesh team will play the first Test against Sri Lanka on April 21-25 at the Pallekela International Stadium in Kandy and will play the 2nd test at the same venne from April 29 to May 3.
Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka 2021: Five Things Bangladesh Cricket Team Must Do To win the Test Series in Sri Lanka
The line-up for the ICC Test Championship final has been confirmed. The final match between India and New Zealand will take place at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Southampton from June 18-22. The tournament hasn't fulfilled the expectations as several series were canceled due to the coronavirus epidemic. While, Bangladesh will try to hit the points table with at least one victory in the upcoming series against Sri Lanka. In this regard, this is a very important series for Bangladesh. Let's take a look at the five things that the Bangladesh cricket team must do to win the Test series in Sri Lanka.
Five key areas that Bangladesh need to improve in the series against Sri Lanka
The two-match Test series between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will start later this month. The first match will be played at the Pallekele stadium starting from April 21 and the second Test will begin on April 29 at the same venue. In 2017, Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka in their own backyard, so beating the Lankans again won’t be impossible for the tigers.
Captain Mominul must be proactive
Mominul Haque is still new in the captaincy role. Mominul needs to be more mature to get success as Test captain. He should not be hesitant to make any important decision when needed. As a person, MominulHaque is a bit introverted but he needs to be more proactive in order to lead the team. Particularly when fielding, he must inspire the bowlers as well as diversify his decisions. Sometimes the captain's personality may have an effect on the team's performance. That's why the focus should be on activities that inspire the team to perform well. Mominul will be able to solidify his place as captain if he guides Bangladesh to win the Test series against Sri Lanka.
Also read: Still nothing definite on Sri Lanka tour
Making a game plan for each session
Test cricket is a game of patience. It is impossible to succeed in the Test format without displaying perseverance. Since there are 15 sessions in five days, it's important to map out a plan for each one. Even if you play well in two sessions, the whole equation can change in one bad session and the plan can vary depending on the situation. Therefore, each session must be planned sensibly. It is possible to do well in the Test series against Sri Lanka if the strategy is implemented properly. In this case, players' sincerity is very essential, and to ensure that the team management has to take responsibility.
Forming big partnerships for a big score
Bangladeshi batsmen usually lose concentration after hitting a half-century. Cricketers have yet to develop the mentality of playing long innings, which is extremely disappointing. Big partnerships will be vital if Bangladesh want to beat Sri Lanka in their own backyard. Players should not be content with just a hundred. They must concentrate on scoring double or triple hundreds. Especially they should try to score big in the first innings. The opposition team will be under pressure if Bangladesh post 500 in the first innings. Bangladesh have the tendency to get bowled out for a low total in the second innings. They must do something to change the situation. Batsmen must develop their fighting instincts, particularly when under pressure. Then we can expect positive outcomes from Bangladesh.
Also read: Tigers' SL tour facing postponement over BCB's unreasonable demand
Bowlers must be determined to take 20 wickets
A team must be capable of taking 20 wickets to win Tests. Otherwise, winning a Test match would be quite difficult. Though Bangladesh's bowling attack isn't particularly strong, they have enough quality bowlers to bowl Sri Lanka out twice in a Test. Spinners normally have the upper hand on subcontinent pitches. Therefore, Bangladeshi spinners must take most of the responsibility. Taijul Islam and NaeemHasan should bowl more responsibly, particularly in the absence of Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman. Picking up 20 wickets will not be difficult if they understand the nature of the pitches and bowl accordingly.
There should be no fielding errors
Bangladesh's fielders were unimpressive in the recently concluded ODI and T20 series against New Zealand. Bangladesh were denied the chance to win at least one match in New Zealand due to poor fielding. In the Test format, players usually feel a bit tired because they have to field for a long time. Players cannot lose focus on fielding to succeed in Tests. They always have to be proactive on the field. Because one big mistake could cost the match. In that case, senior cricketers, as well as captain, have a big role to play.
Also read: Sri Lanka Tour: National team hits the field after long hiatus
Bottom Line
The Bangladesh cricket team's performance in the Test format over the last two years has been dreadful. Bangladesh have lost eight of the last nine Test matches, with the exception of the lone Test match against Zimbabwe in January 2020. The leadership of the Bangladesh Test team has changed during this time. Mominul Haque is currently captaining the Bangladesh team in the longer version format. BCB needs to develop a proper plan to take the Mominul-led Bangladesh Test team forward. In that case, the first-class cricket structure in the country must be strengthened and more competitive. However, Bangladesh must win the series against Sri Lanka in order to rekindle cricketers' passion for Test cricket. For that, the Bangladesh cricket team must do the five things listed above.
Read Without senior players, what Bangladesh’s ODI Cricket team could look like?
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