Bangladesh aim for maiden Test series victory over Sri Lanka

Bangladesh are looking to seal a Test series victory against Sri Lanka for the first time when they take on the hosts in the second and final Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) ground in Colombo tomorrow (Wednesday). The match starts at 10.30am (Bangladesh Time).

The first Test at Galle ended in a draw after Bangladesh dominated a large portion of the game. Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto hit centuries in both innings, to become only the 15th batter in the world to achieve such a feat more than once, while veteran Mushfiqur Rahim rediscovered himself with epic 163 and 49 in two innings after coming to the Test with 13 straight fifty-less innings.

Liton Das also added 90 runs in the first innings, shrugging off his bad patch. While batting line-up, which has always been Bangladesh's weakest link, clicked up, the bowlers continued to shine, giving the side a genuine chance to win the Test.

There was widespread belief that Bangladesh could have won the Test, had they come up with some adventurous plan. Even some criticized veteran Mushfiqur and Shanto for playing for personal milestone rather than putting the team's cause ahead. 

Amid the criticism, Skipper Shanto later made it clear, they wanted to ensure of quelling any chance of their defeat. He also pointed out that the sudden rain on Day 5 disrupted their original plan.

"I can assure you that no one in our dressing room plays for personal milestone. We couldn't execute the decision we had taken because of the rain," he said. "And the wicket didn't break up as we expected. That's why we didn't declare at that time."

Unlike Galle, the venue of the second Test SSC has the reputation of producing decisive results. The ground's stat suggested that of the 45 Tests held there, 31 have produced results. The ground saw the last drawn match here in 2014, that too due to rain and in fact no Test has ended in a draw since 2010.

Bangladesh have played three Tests there, losing all of them by hefty margins. They last played at this ground 18 years ago. Nonetheless, the ground holds a cherished memory: in 2001, Mohammad Ashraful scored a stunning century on debut to become the youngest Test centurion, a record that still remained intact.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who missed the first Test due to the illness, would play this match and his return will be a huge boost for Bangladesh, not only because he provides the required balance but also because the SSC pitch historically favours spinners. 

The spinners accounted for 51.92 percent of the wickets and pacers 48.08 percent. Sri Lankan spin legend Muthiah Muralitharan tops the wicket tally at this venue with 166. Bangladesh played out the Sri Lankan spinners with ease in the first Test, which is another reason to give them some confidence. But Prabath Jayasuriya claimed eight wickets in Sri Lanka's 10-wicket victory against Afghanistan here last year.

Even Sri Lanka also found it tough to deal with the visiting spinners here in the recent past. In 2022, Pakistan's spinner duo Abrar Ahmed and Nouman Ali outclassed Sri Lanka here in this venue, a stat that could give Bangladesh further boost.

Also Colombo city has a special place in Bangladesh's cricket folklore. Bangladesh won their 100th Test, which remains their only Test victory against Sri Lanka, in 2017 in this city, albeit a different venue-- P Sara Oval. In 27 meetings, Bangladesh indeed drew six and lost 20 matches against Sri Lanka.

Shanto believes they can change the stat if they are able to play to their potential.

"We know Sri Lanka is one of the toughest opposition for us and our record is not good against them," Shanto said. "But still if we can play our top cricket in all three departments, we can beat any team in the world."

As Miraz returns to the side, Bangladesh would have to make a change and the axe might fall on Anamul Haque Bijoy who made 0 and 4 in the two innings of the first Test after opening for the side.

Bangladesh Squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Shadman Islam, Anamul Haque Bijoy, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Kumer Das, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Vice-Captain), Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Hasan Murad, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana, Syed Khaled Ahmed.

Sri Lanka Squad: Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya De Silva (c), Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Sonal Dinusha, Dunith Wellalage, Pavan Rathnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya, Tharindu Ratnayake, Akila Dananjaya, Asitha Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Isitha Wijesundara