It will be a Test of character for the Bangladesh team, particularly the batsmen as the second Test against Sri Lanka begins today at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong today.
The Bangladesh team that will at a ground where they have performed reasonably well is almost the same side – with the notable exception of Mohammad Ashraful – that drew against Sri Lanka in Galle last year by making their highest ever total in Test cricket, featuring Bangladesh’s first ever double hundred by Mushfiqur Rahim. However, the side is also coming off a thrashing in the first Test of this series in Dhaka.
There will be at least two changes to the playing 11. The selectors announced that top order batsmen Marshal Ayub will miss the match with a wrist injury while paceman Robiul Islam was omitted from the squad of 12 that was released.
Imrul Kayes will return to the national side after two years to replace Marshal. Imrul, who usually opens the batting, joins a line-up that also includes two other openers – Tamim Iqbal and Shamsur Rahman – and the selectors will have to choose which two face up to the new ball. As Imrul batted at number three in the Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) recently it is likely that he will do so again in the Test match.
The other spot on offer will be contested for by Mahmudullah and Abdur Razzak. Mahmudullah is likely to get the nod as he has been in good form recently - he took 10 wickets in a BCL match against Central Zone – and his useful batting down the order is also an asset.
The focus for Bangladesh will be on improving batting. Having been bowled out for 232 and 250 in Dhaka, the likes of Tamim Iqbal, Shakib al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim as well as Mominul Haque, Nasir Hossain and Shamsur Rahman will be looking to prove their mettle in the longer form of the game.
Another area the Tigers will be looking to improve on is catching, which was exceptionally poor in the first Test.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka will be without two of their standout performers. Shaminda Eranga and Rangana Herath will miss the game due to injury and are likely to return home today.
However, not having won an away series 2008, Sri Lanka will be hungry to seal the rubber. Mahela Jayawardene, who scored a double hundred in the last match, and Kumar Sangakkara both boast stunning records against Bangladesh, and they will be supported by youngsters Kaushal Silva and Kithuruwan Vithanage, who both made centuries in Dhaka.
Bangladesh team (probable):Tamim Iqbal, Shamsur Rahman, Imrul Kayes, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim (capt & wk), Shakib al Hasan, Nasir Hossain, Sohag Gazi, Rubel Hossain, Al Amin, Abdur Razzak/Mahmudullah.
Sri Lanka team (probable) : Kaushal Silva,Dimuth Karunaratne, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews (capt (wk), Kithuruwan Vithanage, Dilruwan Perera, Nuwan Pradeep, Ajantha Mendis, Suranga Lakmal.
