Well prepared Team Sri Lanka hots under prepared Bangladesh at Pallekele's green pitch from this morning promising a tussle of pacers . Sri Lanka is fresh from successful West indies  visit where they drew two teat matches against full strength West Indies team. Bangladesh on the other hand got humiliating Kiwi Wash in ODI and T20 series. Before that Bangladesh also got white wash against understrength West Indies team at home in test series.  Bangladesh team is also not in full strength as star all rounder Shakib Al Hasan and ace pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman were granted leave by BCB for playing in IPL 2021. Mominul Haque led Bangladesh team is on a very challenging mission in Sri Lanka to salvage some pride with a team of some experienced professionals and reasonably talented freshers. 

We know circumstances alter cases. There is very little difference in quality and strength of the two even matched teams as far as past proven track records. Bangladeshi batsmen like Mushfique and Tamim have records of batting well against strong Lankan bowling attack . Mominul, Mithun , Shanto may like to raise their hands as well. But Bangladesh has never played test on the venue which reportedly would assist pacers with bounce and seam movement. In the hot humid condition wicket may also dry quicker and assist spinners with turn and bounce. In Lakmal and Kuamra Sri Lanka has top quality pacers and in Wanindu Hasaranga and Dhananjaya de Silva two wicket taking spinners. Judging the condition of the wicket Sri Lanka may opt for an additional off spinner at the last moment instead of pacer Viswa Fernando as Bangladesh top order has too many left handers. In any case the wicket is believed to assist pacers at least for the first two days and the same time bounce would assist leg spinner. Bangladesh does not have any Sri Lanka does. Bangladesh is very poor in playing quality pacers on bouncy wicket and against leg spin. 

Cricinfo has suggested the following probable playing XI. We will try to preview the first test from our perspective. 

Probable XI:  

Sri Lanka:  Dimuth Karunaratne (capt), Lahiru Thirimanne,  Oshada Fernando,  Dinesh Chandimal/Pathum Nissanka,  Angelo Mathews,  Dhananjaya de Silva,  Niroshan Dickwella (wk),  Wanindu Hasaranga,  Suranga Lakmal,  Lahiru Kumara, and  Vishwa Fernando

Bangladesh:  Tamim Iqbal, Shadman Islam, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mominul Haque (Capt), Mushfiqur Rahim,  Mohammad Mithun,  Liton Das (wk),  Mehidy Hasan,  Ebadat Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, and  Abu Jayed

We must bear in mind that it is now very hot in Sri Lanka .In such condition pace bowlers wont be able to bowl longer spells . In case Sri Lanka bats for a day and a half Bangladesh with four bowlers would be in serious trouble. We under stand the logic of playing with 8 batsmen but for a more positive strategy Bangladesh must include Taijul in place of one batsman. If Najmul Shanto is essential in top order Mithun can be replaced with Taijul. Taijul and Mehedy Miraj would require to do bulk of bowling. We would also suggest for playing Shoriful instead of Ebadat as surprise package. If 7 batsmen cannot serve the purpose eight can not. On the other hand against very strong Sri Lankan batting Bangladesh would need 5 genuine bowlers . Left arm young quality seamer Shoriful can be much better choice. Bangladesh must show positive intent. 

My Suggested Team: 
Tamim Iqbal, Shadman Islam, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mominul Haque (Capt), Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan, Taijul Islam,  Shoriful Islam, , Taskin Ahmed, and  Abu Jayed Bangladesh must bear in mind that Tamim, Liton, Mithun did not bat well in New Zealand . Shanto was not used much. Even Mushfique did not bat with confidence. Still Tamim, Mominul and Mushfique have to lead the batting. Lakmal and Kumara would exploit the pace and bounce . Dhananjaya and Hasharanga would be difficult to deal with. Even Sri Lanka would appear with five genuine bowlers and Angelo Mathhews. In such situation Bangladesh must not risk appearing with four bowlers. 

Bangladesh would appear as underdog and has to play as a team showing required technique and temperament for rising to the occasion. Taking the match deep to the 5th day should be initial plan and they see what happens . Toss would be important. We are sure if Sri Lanka wins they will put Bangladesh to bat to rattle them with pace . Bangladesh must also do the same. 

BDST: 1000 HRS, APR 21, 2021
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