The much-anticipated two-match Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka Test series 2022 will begin next week in Chattogram on Sunday (May 15). The second Test will start on May 23 at the SBNCS, Mirpur. Both sides have already announced their squads for the series. The Bangladesh team started their practice, while the Sri Lanka team is scheduled to arrive on May 8. Since the series is part of the ICC Test Championship, both teams are anticipated to fight hard. Let’s take a look at the squad strength comparison of the two teams. Bangladesh Squad for Sri Lanka Series The BCB selectors announced their 18-member squad last month. Two of the regular members in recent years, Shadman Islam and Abu Jayed Chowdhury Rahi, weren’t picked due to their poor performances in the recent series. Besides, Mehidy Hasan Miraz was excluded from the first Test one day after selection. He sustained an injury while playing a DPL match. Later, BCB included off-spinner Nayeem Hasan and all-rounder Mosaddek Hossain. Pacer Taskin Ahmed will miss the series due to an injury. Squad Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mominul Haque (captain), Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Liton Das, Yasir Ali, Nurul Hasan, Taijul Islam, Ebadot Hossain, Khaled Ahmed, Rejaur Rahman Raja, Shoriful Islam, Shohidul Islam, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (will not be available for the first match). Read IPL leader Gujarat beats Bangalore despite Kohli 58 Sri Lanka Squad for Bangladesh Series The Sri Lankan Cricket Board announced their 18-man squad on Wednesday (May 4). The SLC selectors included a number of uncapped players, and some recalled for the upcoming series. The squad comprised a few highly experienced players as well. So, this announced Sri Lankan Test team is a mixture of young and experienced players. Sri Lanka Squad Dimuth Karunaratne (captain), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamil Mishara, Oshada Fernando, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella, Chamika Karunaratne, Ramesh Mendis, Dilshan Madushanka, Praveen Jayawickrama, Lasith Embuldeniya, Suminda Lakshan, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando. Read Mosaddek or Nayeem: Who Should Play in CTG Test of BAN vs SL Series 2022?  Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka: Squad Assessment Both sides have some exciting and talented players who have the ability to showcase game-changing performances when needed. In addition, both sides' team management will be expected to see their fringe players fire up during the Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka Test Series 2022. Here is the two teams’ squad comparison. Batting/Top-Order Bangladesh's top order in the forthcoming series includes Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, and Najmul Hossain Shanto. Tamim is a vastly experienced player who has a nearly 40 average in Tests. The southpaw had a match-winning knock against Sri Lanka back in 2017. Besides, Mahmudul Hasan joy started his Test career with a lot of promises. He played two incredible knocks against New Zealand and South Africa, respectively, away from home. Now, Joy will get a chance to showcase his talent in front of home crowds. No.3 batter Najmul Hossain Shanto has also been having a good time with the bat in the recent series. Read Australia names full-strength squads for Sri Lanka tour. Bangladesh’s top-order batting stats Player Innings Runs HS Ave 100s Tamim Iqbal 125 4,848 206 39.41 9 Mahmudul Hasan Joy 7 225 137 32.14 1 Najmul Hossain Shanto 29 817 163 29.17 2    Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/ Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have experienced players in the top order. Sri Lankan captain Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis are big-match players, while Oshada Fernando has a lot of first-class cricket experience. Read Stokes chosen as England test captain. Sri Lanka’s top-order batting stats Player Innings Runs HS Ave 100s Dimuth Karunaratne 147 5,620 244 39.57 14 Oshada Fernando 24 726 102 34.57 1 Kusal Mendis 93 3,078 196 34.58 7     Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/ Advantage: Sri Lanka Batting/Middle-Orders Bangladesh have a very capable and experienced middle-order who can shine with the bat on home soil. Shakib, Mushfiqur, Mominul, and Litton all have very good records at home. The host can expect a commanding performance from its middle-order batters. Read Nayeem added to Test squad to replace injured Mehidy. Bangladesh’s middle-order batting stats Player Innings Runs HS Ave 100s Shakib Al Hasan 109 4,029 217 39.50 5 Mushfiqur Rahim 148 4,932 219* 36.26 7 Mominul Haque 95 3,514 181 39.48 11 Litton Das 53 1,730 114 33.26 2             Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/ Sri Lanka have some quality middle-order batsmen, but some of their regulars have not been in good form recently. Sri Lanka lost the Test series against India because of their middle-order lack of form with the bat. However, players like Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, and Niroshan Dickwella are very capable batters. Read Key Takeaways from the DPL 2022. Sri Lanka’s middle-order batting stats Player Innings Runs HS Ave 100s Angelo Mathews 169 6,432 200* 44.05 11 Dinesh Chandimal 117 4,217 164 39.41 11 Dhananjaya de Silva 72 2,517 173 38.13 8 Niroshan Dickwella 84 2,529 96 32.42 0             Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/ Advantage: Bangladesh Bowling Bangladesh and Sri Lanka both have some quality spinners in their respective squads. Shakib Al Hasan, the world's best all-rounder, will spearhead the hosts' spin attack, while Taijul Islam and Nayeem Hasan can be lethal in Bangladesh's conditions. If Mehidy Hasan Miraz is available for the second Test, he has the potential to be a real weapon for the home team. However, it’s the pace of bowling that can make the difference, as Bangladesh pacers have done well in recent series. Fast bowlers like Ebadot Hossain, Khaled Ahmed, and Shohidul Islam can fire up with the ball using home conditions. Read Anamul's record-breaking season keeps getting better. Bangladesh’s top Five Key bowlers bowling stats Player Match Wickets BBI Ave 5W Shakib Al Hasan 59 215 7/36 31.30 18 Taijul Islam 36 153 8/39 32.01 10 Nayeem Hasan 7 25 5/61 26.24 2 Ebadot Hossain 14 25 6/46 57.48 1 Khaled Ahmed 5 9 4/92 61.55 0     Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/ Experienced Suranga Lakmal is not part of this squad. Therefore, the Lankan pace bowling unit is not strong enough to take a real test from Bangladesh’s batters. However, Sri Lanka’s spin bowling department has some quality players who can put pressure on the opposition batters. Among the spinners, Praveen Jayawickrama and Lasith Embuldeniya can be lethal against Bangladesh batters. Read BAN vs SL Series 2022: Bangladesh Test Squad Analysis. Sri Lanka’s top Five Key bowlers bowling stats  Player Match Wickets BBI Ave 5W Praveen Jayawickrama 4 25 6/92 19.48 2 Lasith Embuldeniya 15 70 7/137 34.77 5 Ramesh Mendis 4 26 6/70 21.53 2 Kasun Rajitha 9 25 3/20 31.16 0 Vishwa Fernando 16 43 5/101 37.30 1    Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/ Bottom Line   The Sri Lankan squad is comprised of some new faces, while Bangladesh selectors included all the expected names in their squad. The Lankan side recently suffered a huge defeat against India. On the other hand, Bangladesh’s recent performance in the away Test series has been impressive. From that perspective, the hosts can expect a dominant performance during the Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka Test series 2022. Besides, the ICC’s World Test Championship will add a new dimension to the contest. Both sides will be eager to perform well in order to collect points to move up the standings.  Read DPL 2022: Sheikh Jamal win championship, while Khelaghar are relegated.