Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka
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.
BAN v SL ODI 2021: How Bangladesh Can Rank Top in ICC ODI Super League
Three weeks after the Test series between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka ends, the ODI series between the two teams will begin. The schedule for this three-match One-Day International series has been released, and BCB has already announced their preliminary squad. All the matches will take place at Dhaka's Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. Bangladesh have a chance to finish first in the current ICC Cricket World Cup Super League points table if they win this series. But in that case, Bangladesh have to do something extraordinary in this series. This article discusses, how Bangladesh Can Rank Top in ICC ODI Super League?
How Bangladesh can reach top of ICC ODI Super League
The 3-match ODI series between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will begin on May 23. The rest of the two matches will be played on May 25 and May 27 respectively.
Match
Venue
Time (Bangladesh Standard Time)
1st ODI
SBNCS, Mirpur
9 AM
2nd ODI
SBNCS, Mirpur
9 AM
3rd ODI
SBNCS, Mirpur
9 AM
Read Also: Bangladesh’s Greatest XI in Test cricket based only on Stats
After losing the Test series by a 1-0 margin against the host Sri Lanka, Bangladesh have a chance to take avengewhen the Lankans ODI side visits Bangladesh this May to play a 3-match limited over series.
Bangladesh will focus entirely on the One-Day International series against Sri Lanka. In fact, Bangladesh will have a chance to leapfrog every team in the ICC ODI World Cup Super League points table and take the top spot. The Tigers can also narrow the gap with Pakistan, which is ranked sixth in the ICC ODI rankings.
If Bangladesh completes a 3-0 clean sweep over Sri Lanka, the team Tigers' will occupy the top spot of the CWC Super League. Thus, the Tamim Iqbal-led team will have a golden opportunity to climb to the top of the ICC CWC ODI Super League points table.
Meanwhile, if Sri Lanka wins by the same 3-0 margin against Bangladesh, then they will open their account in the Super League as well as move into the top eight in the points table. The Sri Lankan team will also close the gap with Bangladesh in the ICC One-Day International rankings.
Read Also: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka Test 2021: The specific roles to perform by Bangladeshi players
Bangladesh fell to sixth place in the CWC Super League after losing the New Zealand series 3-0. Bangladesh came close to defeating New Zealand in the second One-Day International but ultimately fell short. They would have advanced into the top three positions in the current standings if they had won a game in New Zealand.
However, it is a fact that the Bangladesh team will not have a smooth task ahead of them, as Sri Lanka is still a competitive ODI side. But their recent ODI record is poor. Sri Lanka's last limited-overs series against the Windies ended in a 3-0 loss. In that case, they will undoubtedly be anxious heading into the Bangladesh series.
On the other side, Bangladesh are in excellent form in the One-Day International format. They thrashed the Windies in their last one-day international series at home. Besides that, two main players of Bangladesh, all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman will be available for the series. They were unable to play the Test series against the Lankans due to their involvement in the ongoing IPL.
The series will feature a full-strength Bangladesh team.For that reason, Bangladesh will be the favorite to win the contest and the hosts can even hand a 3-0 clean sweep to Sri Lanka in the three-match ODI series.
The BCB has named a preliminary squad of 23 players for the Sri Lanka series, and the players who didn't take part in the Test series have already begun training in Mirpur.
Read Also: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka Series 2021: First Test Player Ratings
Bangladesh's preliminary squad for the Sri Lanka series
Tamim Iqbal, Mohammad Naim, ImrulKayes, Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Mithun, Mahmudullah, Afif Hossain, Mosaddek Hossain, MahediHasan, MehidyHasanMiraz, Taijul Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Shohidul Islam.
Verdict
Bangladesh Can Rank Top in ICC ODI Super League for the first time if they can whitewash Sri Lanka in the ODI series. But Bangladesh must first focus on winning the series against Sri Lanka in order to improve their place in the ICC Super League for the direct 2023 World Cup berth. In addition, Bangladesh need to treat every Super League match equally because each is worth ten points.
Read Also: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka: Five Times When Bangladesh Stun Sri Lanka
We should play spin better: Najmul Hossain
In the ongoing Kandy Test against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh have lost 15 wickets so far, and of them, 13 went to the Lankan spinners. The Lankan spinners put Bangladesh on the backfoot.
Bangladesh batsman Najmul Hossain Shanto said they should play spin better if they really want to shine in Tests. In both innings of the Kandy Test, Shanto fell prey to the spinners. In the first innings, he was haunted by Ramesh Mendis, and in the second, he got dismissed by Praveen Jayawickrama.
“It was tough to play against spin in this sort of tracks,” Shanto said in a virtual press conference after the day’s play. “There was much more spin than usual, but if we want to play Tests, we should play spin better.”
Also read: Tigers have mountain to climb to save Kandy Test
The first Test of the series ended in a draw when the bowlers got nothing from the wicket. A total of 17 wickets fell in the first game at the same venue. So it was expected that the hosts will provide a better wicket in the second match.
“It’s normal that the bowlers will get substantial help from the wicket on the fourth day of a Test match. Most of us have had a good start to their innings but we failed to carry on. Had we lost three wickets, we would have a good chance in this game,” Shanto added.
At the end of day four, Bangladesh need to score 260 in 98 overs to win this game or bat the entire day to save it with only five wickets in hand. Shanto believes that if Bangladesh can bat for two sessions without losing a wicket, they have something to get from this Test.
Also read: Sri Lanka set 437 for Bangladesh to win in Kandy
“We still have two batsmen in the wicket. If we can bat well in the first two sessions, we have something to think about this game,” he further added.
In the first innings of the first Test, Shanto hit his maiden ton Test. But in the next two innings, he suffered a duck each before coming up with 26 in the third. His inconsistency cost Bangladesh a lot.
“The important thing for me is not to be too happy because of success or not to be too broken because of failure. I have done badly in the last two innings after a good one. I failed to play a longer innings despite having a good start today (Sunday). I am not worried about these things much. I rather am looking forward to doing well when I get the next chance,” Shanto added.
Tigers have mountain to climb to save Kandy Test
Bangladesh lost five wickets for 177 runs at the end of the fourth day in Kandy Sunday while chasing 437 runs in the second Test against Sri Lanka.
Ramesh Mendis and 22-year-old Praveen Jayawickrama, bagged three and two wickets to keep Bangladesh at bay. The Tigers will have to score 260 runs on the fifth day of the match to win the game or bat for the entire day to save it at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
All the Bangladeshi batters, who have already been dismissed, made a good start to their innings but failed to carry on against the quality spin of the hosts.
Sri Lanka declared their second innings on 194 for nine securing a lead of 436 runs. Dimuth Karunarate scored 66 for the hosts as Taijul Islam took five wickets for the Tigers.
Also read: Sri Lanka set 437 for Bangladesh to win in Kandy
Bangladesh needed to make a good start to their second innings. But Tamim Iqbal managed to post 24 runs only. Saif Hassan, who has failed to shine in this series so far, scored 34.
Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim also made a good start, scoring 26, 32, and 40 each, but none of them could fight back the Lankan spinners.
At the end of the day, Bangladesh were batting at 177 for five with Liton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz unbeaten on 14 and 4.
Earlier, Sri Lanka posted a mammoth total of 493 runs for seven in their first innings, riding on Dimuth Karunarate (118), Lahiru Thirimanne (140), and Oshada Fernando (81). Niroshan Dickwella, the wicketkeeper-batsman, remained not-out for 77.
Read Also: Sri Lanka stretch lead over 400 as Bangladesh in more trouble
Taskin Ahmed was the best bowler for Bangladesh taking four wickets for 127 runs, his best bowling figure in Tests.
In reply to Sri Lanka's first innings, Bangladesh were bundled out for only 251 runs despite a 90 from Tamim Iqbal. Most of the batters had a good start but they failed to come up with the big innings.
Mominul Haque perished on 49 and Mushfiqur Rahim scored 40, although the onus was on them to propel the Tigers to a safe position in this game.
Praveen, who got the chance to play this game due to injuries or off-form other spinners, bagged six wickets conceding 92 runs, the best bowling figure for a Sri Lankan debutant in Tests.
Lankan Lions take charge as Tigers crumble in Kandy
Sri Lanka are leading by 259 runs against Bangladesh with eight wickets in hand at the end of day three of the second Test in Kandy.
Bangladesh were bundled out for 251 runs in their first innings, replying to Sri Lanka's first innings total of 493/7 declared.
With the lead of 242 runs, Sri Lanka chose to not impose the follow-on. They instead, took the field to bat and at the end of the day's play were 17/2 in seven overs with Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan Miraz taking one wicket each.
Also read: Bangladesh staring at defeat as Jayawickrama takes six to trigger Tigers' collapse
Earlier, Praveen Jayawickrama bagged six wickets to wrap up Bangladesh for 251 in their first innings. His six wickets for 92 is now the best bowling figures for a debutant Sri Lankan bowler.
Bangladesh lost the last six wickets for just 37 runs, with most of the batsmen falling prey to Praveen's left-arm spin.
The 22-year-old spinner completed his five-wicket haul scalping the wicket of Mehidy Hasan Miraz during the 76th over. The right-handed batsman, who had recorded his maiden Test ton in the last series against West Indies at home, tried to clear the ball through the midwicket region but failed to execute it well and the ball hit his pad.
Also read: Sri Lankan debutant has Tigers staring down the barrel
Earlier, Tamim Iqbal and Saif Hassan made a good start of 98 runs for Bangladesh at the first wicket stand.
Tamim was the highest run-getter with 92 while Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim ended up on 49 and 40.
Along with Jayawickrama, Suranga Lakmal and Ramesh Mendis also did well, taking two wickets each.
Also read: Kandy Test: Bangladesh lose two quick wickets at lunch, Tamim hits 3rd fifty
Earlier, Sri Lankan openers – Dimuth Karunarate and Lahiru Thirimanne – hit a century each in the first innings of the match. Oshada Fernando and Niroshan Dickwella also did well with the bat, scoring unbeaten 81 and 77.
For Bangladesh, Taskin bagged four wickets for 127 runs, the best bowling figure for the right-arm pacer, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shoriful Islam and Taiju Islam took one wicket each.
Bangladesh staring at defeat as Jayawickrama takes six to trigger Tigers' collapse
Bangladesh tumbled for 251 in their first innings of the second Test, conceding a huge lead after Sri Lanka declared their first innings on 493/7. With the lead of 242 runs, Sri Lanka opted to not impose a follow-on in Kandy.
Praveen Jayawickrama bagged six wickets, which is the best bowling record for any Sri Lankan on debut and only the fourth time when a Sri Lankan took a five-for on debut.
Bangladesh lost their last six wickets for just 37 runs, with most of the batsmen falling prey to Jayawickrama’s left-arm spin.
Also read: Sri Lankan debutant has Tigers staring down the barrel
Jayawickrama completed his five-wicket haul scalping the wicket of Mehidy Hasan Miraz during the 76th over. The right-handed batsman, who had recorded his maiden Test ton in the last series against West Indies at home, tried to clear the ball through the midwicket region but failed to execute it well and the ball hit his pad to prompt the umpire to signal him out.
Tamim Iqbal and Saif Hassan made a good start of 98 runs at the first wicket stand. They also had two fifty-plus partnerships at the third and fourth wicket stand.
Tamim was the highest run-getter with 92 while Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim ended up on 49 and 40 respectively.
Also read: Kandy Test: Bangladesh lose two quick wickets at lunch, Tamim hits 3rd fifty
Along with Jayawickrama, Suranga Lakmal and Ramesh Mendis also did well taking two wickets each.
Earlier, Sri Lankan openers— Dimuth Karunarate and Lahiru Thirimanne— hit a century each in the first innings of the match after choosing to bat first winning the toss. Oshada Fernando and Niroshan Dickwella also did well with the bat. They scored 81 and 77 not-out respectively.
For Bangladesh, Taskin bagged four wickets conceding 127 runs, which is now the best bowling figures for the right-arm pacer while Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shoriful Islam and Taiju Islam took one wicket each.
Sri Lankan debutant has Tigers staring down the barrel
Bangladesh are struggling to avoid the follow on in Kandy, as Sri Lanka's debutant left-arm spinner Praveen Jayawickrama, who earlier claimed Saif Hassan and Tamim Iqbal's wickets, removed Mushfiqur Rahim for 40 before the tea break of day three of the second Test.
Praveen has kept Bangladesh on the back foot as the visitors still need 79 runs to avoid a follow-on with six wickets in hand.
At Tea on day three, Bangladesh were batting at 214 for four in 61.4 overs with captain Mominul Haque unbeaten on 47.
Also read: Kandy Test: Bangladesh lose two quick wickets at lunch, Tamim hits 3rd fifty
Tamim and Saif made a decent start adding 98 runs in the first wicket stand after Sri Lanka declared on 493/7. But right before the lunch break, Saif fell prey to Praveen, scoring 25.
In the last over before lunch, offspinner Ramesh Mendis removed Najmul Hossain Shanto.
Tamim, however, was enjoying himself in the middle. He hit his third consecutive fifty in the series off 57 balls and was approaching his first hundred in this series but fell short by eight runs.
Also read: Sri Lanka steady after Taskin's triple-strike
Earlier, Sri Lankan openers – Dimuth Karunarate and Lahiru Thirimanne – hit a century each in the first innings of the match. Oshada Fernando and Niroshan Dickwella also did well with the bat, scoring unbeaten 81 and 77.
For Bangladesh, Taskin bagged 4/127 - his best bowling figures in Test cricket, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shoriful Islam and Taiju Islam took one wicket each.
Sri Lanka steady after Taskin's triple-strike
Bangladesh bowlers staged a middle-order collapse for Sri Lanka Friday, yet the unbroken 87-run seventh-wicket stand steadied the hosts before bad weather cut short the second day of the second Test in Pallekele.
Niroshan Dickwella and Ramesh Mendis led the recovery for the hosts who finished at 469/6.
The Lankans had scored 291/1 on day one. But the visitors posed a strong challenge on day two when the wicket offered more balance between bat and ball.
Sri Lanka added 178 to their overnight total and lost five more wickets. At the end of day two, they were batting at 469 for six in 155.5 overs.
Right-arm pacer Taskin Ahmed has bagged three wickets in this game so far. He would have taken more wickets if the fielders were not so sloppy. Najmul Hossain Shanto missed at least two catches off Taskin.
In the first session of the day, Bangladesh scalped three wickets and two of them fell prey to Taksin while the other one was hunted by Taijul Islam. After the tea break, Taskin scalped another wicket and Mehidy Hasan Miraz took one.
Lahiru Thirimanne, who remained unbeaten for 131 on day one, added only nine more runs before being edged to the wicketkeeper by Taskin. However, Oshada Fernando troubled the Tigers much after Thirimanne's removal. He ended up at 80 as the sixth wicket.
The first Test of the two-match series ended in a draw as the wicket was flat and fruitless for the bowlers.
Kandy Test Day 1: Karunaratne, Thirimanne's centuries propel Sri Lanka to 291/1
Sri Lankan openers Dimuth Karunaratne and Lahiru Thirimanne hit centuries on day one of the second Test against Bangladesh in Kandy on Thursday.
Riding on their centuries, Sri Lanka were 291 for one in 90 overs at stumps. Karunaratne was the first and only batsman to get dismissed.
For Bangladesh, debutant Shoriful Islam scalped the only wicket. Taskin Ahmed and Taijul Islam bowled well but without success.
Also read: Karunaratne brings up a ton after being dropped by Bangladesh
At the end of the day, Thrimanne and Oshada Fernando remained not-out for 131 and 40 respectively.
Earlier, Karunaratne was dropped by Najmul Hossain Shanto at slip when he was on batting at 28.
At Tea, Sri Lanka were 188 for none in 58 overs with Karunaratne and his opening partner Lahiru Thirimanne batting at 108 and 80 respectively.
Also read: Sri Lanka off to cautious start as Bangladesh miss early chances
It was the 12th Test hundred for Karunaratne, the highest by any active Sri Lankan player.
The wicket looked fairly dead in this Test so far. It was flat and bowlers had nothing to get from the track in the first Test as well.
The International Cricket Council has rated the wicket as below average due to its failure to provide a balanced opportunity to the batsmen and bowlers. The ground has been awarded one demerit point as well.
Also read: Sri Lanka bat first, Shoriful makes Test debut
In the first session of the day, Bangladeshi bowlers were more disciplined, but in the second, they seemed to be a bit random and aimless.
The first Test of the series ended in a draw, where Karunaratne had smashed a double-ton. Bangladesh’s Najmul and Mominul Haque had also hit a ton each.
Bangladesh made one change in this game including debutant Shorfiul Islam to replace Ebadot Hossain while Sri Lanka made two changes adding Lakshan Sandakan and Chamika Karunaratne to their squad to replace Lahiru Kumara and Dilshan Madushanka. Chamika Karunaratne made his debut with this game.
ICC rates Kandy pitch as 'below average'
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has rated the pitch used in the first Test between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh as "below average."
In a press release sent to the media on Wednesday evening, the ICC said match referee Ranjan Madugalle called the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium pitch in Kandy "substandard."
So, the venue has received one demerit point under the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process.
Also read: Rain forces early close of high-scoring Kandy Test
"The character of the pitch hardly changed over five days. There was no shift in the balance between bat and ball as the game progressed," Madugalle said.
"The pitch remained batting-friendly throughout, resulting in a total of 1289 runs scored in the match for the loss of 17 wickets at an average of 75.82 runs per wicket, which is very high. So, in keeping with the ICC guidelines, I rate this pitch as below average," he added.
Madugalle's report has been forwarded to Sri Lanka Cricket.
Also read: Kandy Test: Bangladesh declare posting a mammoth score
Both Bangladesh captain Mominul Haque and head coach Russell Domingo have criticised the wicket, too, saying it was not the wicket that they had expected ahead of the game.
Dimuth Karunaratne, the hosts' captain, also said they were expecting a better wicket.
The second and final Test of this two-match series will commence tomorrow at the same venue.