Tigers eye rare Test series win

Host Bangladesh will look for their first Test series win in a little more than three years when they take on Sri Lanka in the second and final Test match at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka, starting Thursday. The occasion is also a big opportunity for the Tigers in that they have the chance to register their maiden Test series win against Sri Lanka at home. The Tigers in the last few years made drastic improvements in the longest format of the game, having registered wins against England, Australia and Sri Lanka. However, the occasion now is the first in a while where Bangladesh have the opportunity to win a series against an established Test side. The last time Bangladesh won a Test series was against Zimbabwe in November, 2014, where the Tigers had whitewashed the visitor in a three-match series. Bangladesh will go into the game backed by the confidence of drawing the first Test at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Cricket Stadium in Chittagong last week, despite the opposition being on the front foot following their massive total in the first innings. The Tigers in the last day of the game had to survive the whole day with seven wickets in hand. And they achieved a draw in some style, riding on heroics from Mominul Haque and Liton Das, and lost only two wickets on the day. Makeshift Bangladesh captain Mahmudullah then shook hands with Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal to end the game in a draw.

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The wicket at MSBNCS will however, put the two teams into deep thinking. The wicket in Chittagong's ZACCS was referred to as “concrete”, offering ample amount of runs to the two sides. The game produced 1,533 runs to register the second highest match aggregate, and also recorded the lowest wickets count - 24 - in matches that had more than 2,000 balls delivered to see ICC eventually rate the ZACCS wicket “below average” and slam a demerit point. In Mirpur however, the scenario can be expected to be different. The wicket at the home of cricket tends to remain slow and low and offer aid to the spinners. And in the last four years, only once has a side scored more than 300 in an innings. The ground is a favourite hunting ground for the Bangladesh spinners who dominated and won the last two matches played here - against Australia and England. The Tigers' spin attack against England picked up 20 wickets while against Australia, the Bangladesh slow bowlers bagged 19 scalps. There should be no doubt that the two sides will look to reap the benefits while both the host and tourist would look to bat heavy and, if possible, take first guard. Bangladesh had won their last two games here after opting to bat first. The home side from their squad in the last Test have dropped Sanjamul Islam and Rubel Hossain. However, chances are slim for Sabbir Rahman to make his way into the playing XI right away as it is likely that a spinner will replace Sanjamul, who made his debut in the Chittagong Test. Mahmudullah will continue to lead the team in Shakib al Hasan's absence.

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As far as Sri Lanka are concerned, they are unlikely to make any change from the Chittagong Test squad. For the visitor, a win will mean they will post their second away Test series win in five months; a rare achievement, given their recent showing across all formats.Head to headTests - 19Bangladesh win - 1Sri Lanka wins - 15Draws - 3 Win % - Bangladesh (5.26), Sri Lanka (78.94)Most runs - Mohammad Ashraful (Bangladesh, 1090), Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka, 1806)Highest score - Mushfiqur Rahim (Bangladesh, 200), Sangakkara (319)Most wickets - Shakib al Hasan (Bangladesh, 29), Muttiah Muralidaran (Sri Lanka, 89)Best bowling - Shakib (5/70), Rangana Herath (Sri Lanka, 7/89)