A 20 members squad of Bangladesh Cricket team is now in Sri Lanka for playing two matches test series. Going by the recent performance of Bangladesh team in all formats and in consideration of test not being the forte of Bangladesh none would be optimistic with the team turning the table on host Sri Lanka. 

Bangladesh could visit Sri Lanka in July 2020 when neither Bangladesh nor Sri Lanka were in practice. Now in April 2021 Sri Lanka is battle hardened after hosting England and touring West Indies. In such state an under prepared Bangladesh test squad following a disastrous tour in New Zealand is getting ready for the series commencing at Kandy from 21 April. The team is without Shakib and Mustafiz given leave by BCB for playing IPL in India. True Sri Lanka could not play well against very strong England but they competed well against West Indies in two tests. Bangladesh on the other hand got white washed in the test series against under strength West Indies. 

Bangladesh Squad 
Mominul Haque, Liton Das, Mohammad Mithun, Mushfiqur Rahim, Tamim Iqbal, Shadman Islam, Abu Jayed, Taijul Islam, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nayeem Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadat Hossain, Saif Hassan, Yasir Ali, Shoriful Islam, Khaled Ahmed, Mukidul Islam, Shuvagata Hom, Shohidul Islam, Nurul Hasan

We are not going to talk much about squad formation. But we feel that the squad should have included at least two /three senior players having experience of playing longer version cricket. If players playing and scoring runs consistently in whatever longer format cricket is played are continuously ignored then how Bangladesh would grow as a competitive test team. We are not sure what is the seriousness of Mahmudullah Riad injury? If he was in the squad he could have recovered by the time of the second test? What happened to Imrul Kayes? What happened to Sabbir? If Subhagato Hom could be included, why not Nasir Hossain? We do not think younger players playing mostly ODI and T20 cricket can be relied upon for playing test against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka. The squad includes 7 pace bowlers. We think at least one leg spinner should have been included. Bangladesh cannot play quality leg spinners. Any team other than Bangladesh plays leg spinner in all format.

The team has four openers. Tamim would possibly open the test innings with Shadman Islam. To assess correctly Tamim struggled against Kiwi pace attack in all three ODIs though he scored fifty in the second match. For personal reasons he skipped T20 series. Liton had a very poor tour. Mithun also did not play consistently well. Even Mushfique was not in prime form. In such situation Bangladesh batsmen may struggle against quality Lankan attack. Would suggest playing Saif Hasan at number three. Bangladesh lost an opportunity to give him exposure against West Indies after Shadman got injured in Chottogram test. Mushfique, Nazmul Shanto and Mithun should bat at 4,5 &6 . We are sure Mehedi Miraj and Taijul would be entrusted with the spin attack. If Bangladesh wants to play with three spinners and two pacers Nayeem Hasan would play. In that case Abu Jayed Rahi and Shoriful should be first choice pacers. In my opinion Bangladesh should play with three pacers adding Taskin in the attack. We find no space for considering Shuvagato in the team. Would not be surprised if he is included at the cost of a batsman. If Mushfique is not going to keep wickets Nurul Sohan should be given that task ahead of Liton. In that case Saif Hasan may not be included.

My Suggested team for the first team would be:
Tamim Iqbal, Shadman Islam / Saif Hasan. Nazmul Hossain, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Mithun, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Mehedi Hasan Meraj, Taijul Islam, Abu Jayed Rahi , Shoriful Islam/ Nayeem Hasan, Taskin Ahmed. 

Rahi would lead the pace attack. Taskin looked very impressive in New Zealand, Shoriful would be very useful addition to the pace battery.

Having said all Bangladeshi admirers must be carefully optimistic. Sri Lanka is fresh from two well played drawn tests against full strength West Indies in West Indies. Bangladesh got brown washed against under strength West Indies at home. 

BDST: 1307 HRS, APR 19, 2021
SMS