Team Bangladesh stands undaunted after Shakib’s absences in the Sri Lanka test series
Bangladesh has drawn its previous four home series, proving a difficult opponent in India, South Africa, Australia, and England, with the latter two winning for the first time on home soil. Bangladesh even defeated Sri Lanka in their 100th Test in Colombo, with Shakib Al Hasan playing a key role, as he does in all of their milestone victories.
Shakib, who is also the Test captain, sustained an injury to his left little finger during the tri-nation ODI final against Sri Lanka last Saturday, therefore vice-captain Mahmudullah will lead the team in the first of two Tests, which begins on Wednesday in Chittagong.
“Shakib’s absence in the squad is a huge loss,” Mahmudullah stated. “However, you must accept all of the challenges.”
“We’ll have a successful game if we can execute our decisions positively.” At the end of the day, we all have the ability to help Bangladesh in some way. We’re all quite enthusiastic.”
The team, according to Mahmudullah, has enough depth to cover for Shakib’s absence. The selectors called leg-spinner Tanbir Hayder and left-arm spinner Sunzamul Islam when he was injured and faced missing both Tests. They are uncapped, along with off-spinner Naeem Hasan, bringing the total number of spinners in the team to six.
Mehidy Hasan, Taijul Islam, and Abdur Razzak, a left-armer who just grabbed his 500th first-class wicket but played his 12th and last Test against Sri Lanka in Chittagong in 2014.
“With six spinners in the side, you can foresee what would happen,” Mahmudullah said. “In-home circumstances, we rely on our spinners, so we’ll attempt to support them.”
“I don’t think we’re the series favorites.” Sri Lanka has been playing excellent cricket recently. However, I believe we will be victorious on home turf.”
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, was attacked with spin, aided by left-armer Rangana Herath and off-spinner Dilruwan Perera. Last March, Herath grabbed 16 wickets and Perera eight in a drew two-Test series against Bangladesh. Bangladesh’s top wicket-takers were Mehidy and Shakib, who each took ten and nine wickets.
After opening the series with two crushing losses, Sri Lankan confidence is high after winning the tri-nation final by 79 runs.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal claimed the tourists would rely on Herath’s skill as they strive to continue their recent winning streak.
“This will be a wonderful series for both teams,” Chandimal said, highlighting Herath and Dilruwan Perera’s expertise.
Chandimal singled out Herath, who, after passing Daniel Vettori’s 362 Test wickets last year, is the most successful left-arm spinner in Test history with 406 wickets.
“He’s a cunning old fox.” He is free to do anything he wants. He is a valuable member of our squad,” he stated.
