DHAKA: Bangladesh is now a formidable force and a fierce competitor in One Day International (ODI) both at home and abroad. It is also improving steadily in test cricket. Sri Lanka is a very strong team in all formats. Bangladesh has won few matches against Sri Lanka in ODI. But in test cricket the record is heavily in favour of Sri Lanka.

Now the two evenly matched ICC full members -- Bangladesh and Sri Lanka -- irrespective of past records of bilateral contests will launch a fresh series at Galle International stadium, Sri Lanka on Tuesday (March 7). The second of the two test series will be played at P Sara Oval, Colombo from Wednesday (March 15).

Bangladesh will also play ODI and T20 series in this trip. A new-look Sri Lanka is now under rebuilding process after the retirement of two maestros -- Mahela Jayewardene and Kumara Sangakkara.  Still, they did impress cricket world with some encouraging performances in their recent South Africa and Australia outings.

Sri Lankan cricket always possess depth for their much organized domestic infrastructure and enviable cricket culture. With experience, the present team has the potential for maturing into a very competitive team in not too distant future. Bangladesh, on the other hand, now has a very balanced team which is capable of challenging the best of the best in any format of the game. Tamim, Mushfique, Shakib, Mahmudullah have a world of experience and maturity as international cricketers. Talented youngsters like Mominul, Soumya, Sabbir, Taijul, Mustafiz, Taskin, Mehedi Miraz, Liton, and Rabbi makes the team perfectly balanced.

Bangladesh lost all matches in New Zealand tour and lone test against India in India. But, almost in every match, they created opportunities. With a little bit of luck, they could win few matches. Perhaps, tigers lacked winning experience outside Bangladesh. Once they start winning they will keep going. In the above scenario, the ensuing series promises of mouth-watering contests.

The series also offers a golden opportunity for Bangladesh to improve rankings in all three formats. All the seniors are at the peak of their form. Brilliant youngsters have appeared on the scene with multi-dimensional skills. Never before so many options were available for Bangladesh. Excepting few positions Bangladesh has several quality options for relying upon.

ICC Ranking

Test

Team           Rank       Ratings
India                1            121
Australia          2            109
South Africa    3            107
England           4            101
New Zealand   5              98
Pakistan          6              97
Sri Lanka         7              92
West Indies     8              69
Bangladesh     9              61
Zimbabwe      10               5
 
Rankings will change depending on the outcome of the ongoing Australia –India, South Africa-New Zealand, England-West Indies and Bangladesh-Sri Lanka series.

ODI Ranking:

Team                 Rank             Ratings
Australia                  1              118
South Africa             2             118
New Zealand            3             114
India                          4            112
England                    5             107
Sri Lanka                  6               98
Bangladesh               7              91
Pakistan                   8               89
West Indies              9               86
Afghanistan             10              53
Zimbabwe               11              48
Ireland                     12              42
 
Bangladesh have excellent opportunity to close in on Sri Lanka if they can win the ODI series as they are now a very different side. The senior players like Mashrafe, Mushfique, Shakib, Tamim and Mahmudullah have extensive experience in all formats of the game. Injury kept Mashrafe away from the longer version of the game. But he is still a potent force in the limited version. His presence as captain and leading new ball bowler hold the team together over the last two years. Mushfique is a high quality batsman in all formats. His wicket keeping skills have become inconsistent a bit. In this scenario, there is a serious consideration whether Mushfique should be relieved of his wicket keeping duty bringing in Liton Das for test and Nurul Hasan Sohan for the limited over formats.

Tamim remains the most reliable opening batsman across the formats. Injury of Imrul Kayes has opened an opportunity for highly talented Soumya Sarkar partnering him in all formats. Many would say that Soumya has been given extensive opportunities despite his inconsistent form after brilliant beginning. But since the recent New Zealand tour he appears to have rediscovered his form. At number three little bird Mominul proved his quality beyond doubt in the longer version. We think he can be a very dependable batsman in the shorter version as well if given regular opportunities. It is unwise experimenting with different players at different times when Bangladesh has a high-quality talented player in Mominul. He has a wide array of strokes and can change gear when required. Moreover, he has a sound defense and impeccable temperament. Mushfique is undoubtedly the most reliable batsman of Bangladesh. He can rotate the strike with deft touches and delicate placement. He plays all traditional strokes and some of his own. Mushfique should play at number four in all formats. World class all-rounder Shakib must play at number five. He and Mushfique cannot only consolidate the innings with high-quality skilled batting but also they can take the match away from opponents with aggressive batting. Positions of six and seven have reliable Mahmudullah and Sabbir to attack or defend according to the situation of the game.

It is a matter of great satisfaction that young Mehedi Miraz has started finding form with the bat. The remaining three places in the limited overs can be allocated among Mashrafe, Taskin, and Mustafiz. If Mushfique decides not to keep wickets Liton Das with be drafted in the test in place of a batsman and Nurul Hasan in the limited over matches.

The greatest challenge of the selectors would be to selecting the attack in test cricket. On pacy sporting wickets, Bangladesh may like to play with three pacers from among Mustafiz, Taskin, Kamrul Rabbi, Rubel, and Subashis. Three spinners Shakib, Mehedi, and Taijul may be required in test matches also. Gone are the days when Bangladesh used to struggle to form a quality team of 11 players for competing against strong opposition. Now there are some quality players competing for the same position. Bangladesh has some reliable talented young players of quality who are knocking at the doors. Mosaddek, Sohan, Shanto may get into the team anytime and blossom.

If Bangladesh can bat and field to the full potential, there is no reason why Bangladesh cannot prove competitive in all formats against Sri Lanka.

What Bangladesh lacked was the opportunity for playing regularly test cricket and cricket against stronger opponents in their territory. That opportunity has appeared in 2017 and things have just started changing in the right direction. We hope few wins here and there will create winning habits. Series wins (tests, ODI and T20) won’t be easy but not impossible. 

Test Squads:

Sri Lanka:

R Herath (C), D Karunaratne, N Dickwella, U Tharanga, D de Silva, K Mendis, A Gunaratne, D Chandimal, S Lakmal, L Kumara, N Pradeep, VS Bandara, D Perera, L Sandakan, M Pushpakumara

Bangladesh :

Mushfiqur Rahim (C), Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Mominul Haque, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah, Sabbir Rahman, Mustafizur Rahman, Taijul Islam, Mehedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Mosaddek Hossain, Kamrul Islam Rabbi, Subashis Roy, Rubel Hossain.

BDST: 1150 HRS, MAR 04, 2017
SR