A stern Lanka test ahead for Tigers

After an absence of four years, Bangladesh is all set to make a welcome return to the Test series on Lanka soil.

Sri Lanka is a soil that holds many eventful memories for team Tigers and its cricketers.

It is in this backyard that the Tigers pulled off a landmark Test victory against the host Sri Lanka in their 100th Test match exactly four years ago.

It was also the first win for Bangladesh against Sri Lanka in Tests and it came in the series decider, which was truly amazing.

Former Bangladesh ODI captain Mashrafe Mortaza also announced his retirement from Twenty20 international cricket on the same tour.

Mushfiqur Rahim hit his nation’s first-ever international double-hundred there. Bangladesh’s forgotten hero, the history boy Mohammad Ashraful became the youngest centurion in the history of Test cricket when a 17-year-old prodigy displayed his precocious talent against a formidable Sri Lanka in 2001 by scoring a century on Test debut for Bangladesh on this soil.

However, the Tigers have shown abysmal performance in recent times, having swept in the home series against an understrength West Indies side in the Test series. They were totally outclassed in their last international series against New Zealand.  

Tigers’ Test record remains dismal despite a stellar improvement in limited over cricket. Bangladesh still has a lot to prove in Tests, where they are yet to pull off a major victory away from home.

Bangladesh has shown occasional promises since attaining full member status in 2000 but has mostly flattered to deceive. No other Test-playing country has lost so many times in their first 120 Test matches and it highlights Bangladesh’s struggle in the five-day format over the past 21 years.

Most of Bangladesh’s wins have come at home including seven against Zimbabwe and four against West Indies. They have pulled off just one win in their 20 meets against the Lions.

Much of Bangladesh's recent success can be credited to their experienced cricketers. But without a big gun like Shakib, Bangladesh will be under pressure from the very beginning of their Sri Lanka tour.

Shakib is really a big miss. He was adjudged their player of the series in their last Sri Lanka tour in 2017. Shakib’s absence would leave Bangladesh in a cornered state, given the all-rounder’s capability to serve the team in both batting and bowling.

Meanwhile, batting has been Bangladesh’s major worry over the past few years, especially in overseas condition. So, the challenge is mainly for Bangladesh batsmen ahead of the Sri Lanka tour.

Despite the continuous failure, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) kept faith in the batsmen like Soumya Sarkar or Liton Das.

Liton Das and Sarkar have struggled for consistency recently. Highly rated Najmul Hossain Shanto also failed to live up to the expectation during the home series against West Indies and has already lost his number 3 spot where Test skipper Mominul Haque is all set to return to his favourite position.

Tigers’ batting is likely to be bolstered by the return of veteran Mahmudullah, who was dropped against the West Indies.

Bowling is also a key matter of Bangladesh side. With pace spearhead Mustafizur Rahman moving to IPL and the absence of Shakib Al Hasan in Test format, a new-look Bangladesh’s under-strength bowling attack has to be put to real test with the red ball in the upcoming two-match Test series.

Bangladesh will undoubtedly be hoping that the pitches in the series offer a bit of assistance to spinners.

Tigers are scheduled to fly out to Sri Lanka on April 12 and start the first Test at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy nine days later.