Sri Lanka take on Bangladesh in the second and final Test of their ongoing series at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo on Wednesday, June 25. After the first match of this series was drawn, both teams would be keen on getting a positive result here to cheer their fans. Sri Lanka will have an upper hand given that they know these conditions extremely well, and boast a good record at this venue.
The side with the best spin-bowling unit will be able to pick up a win here as the surface at the SSC is renowned to aid slow bowling. Bangladesh also have a lot of good spinners in their ranks. Yet, these players must apply themselves well. Bangladesh came into this series on the back of a disappointing turn of events in Pakistan and the UAE even though it was in a completely different format altogether.
Now, they need to rally themselves around and make sure that their batters take on every challenge coming their way. Bangladesh have a lot of technically sound batters, but their inability to stick together for run-chases makes them seem easy prey to opposition bowlers.
Najmul Hossain Shanto (who scored two tons in the first Test), Mushfiqur Rahim and Mominul Haque must display grit, tenacity and resilience while battling the Lankan bowlers. For the home team, the absence of Milan Rathnayake due to a side strain he suffered in the first Test will deal a huge blow, and one expects them to make some changes. On paper, they have a much stronger batting unit than their visitors, and this now needs to be translated to practice.
Predicted Teams
SL: Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (c), Kusal Mendis (wk), Kasun Rajitha, Tharindu Ratnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando.
BAN: Shadman Islam, Anamul Haque, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Jaker Ali, Nayeem Hasan, Taijul Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana.
Key Players
Pathum Nissanka (SL): Opener Pathum Nissanka, who led the Lankan fightback with a well-made 187 in the first Test, will be tasked with the responsibility of blunting the new ball in the second Test as well. Nissanka is known for being patient at the crease, and not playing at balls pitched outside off. His ability to shift weight forward when the ball is pitched up wins him several accolades in the form of boundaries. Despite his reticence, Nissanka is someone who can also play a lot of attacking shots.
Mushfiqur Rahim (BAN): Veteran wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim appears to not grow old at all. He displayed his class with a brilliant 163 off 350 deliveries in the first Test, and will be one of the players Bangladesh rely a lot upon in the second match as well. Rahim is one of the very few experienced batters in the Bangladesh lineup, and his will be a prized wicket for any Lankan bowler. Rahim plays the sweep shot extremely well, and can be trusted to hold his own against spin.
Match Prediction
Sri Lanka were rather unfortunate to end the first Test as a draw, and will be the favourites to win this game. Their batters use their feet well against spin bowling, and this makes them much better-placed than their Bangladeshi opponents. In the bowling department too, Sri Lanka have more experience, whereas Bangladesh appear as if they are going through a phase of transition. The recent removal of Shanto as the ODI skipper may give birth to some disruption in the Test team too, but as of now, things seem to be quiet. Bangladesh need to play according to the situation in this match, but Lanka have an upper hand.
