Bangladesh Cricket over the past few months was riding low having lost test series at home against second West Indies and getting Kiwi Washed in ODI and T20 series on tour. In that consideration the high scoring honorable draw in the first test against Sri Lanka was an achievement. The only other test starts tomorrow at the same venue Pallekele , Kandy . Earning another honorable draw or even a win is not beyond the grasp of Bangladesh. If they can achieve either of the above the team can return home with head high. A win give huge boost to the sagging morale and would act as a tonic for future success.

What Bangladesh needs to do that? We know the wicket about an absolutely dead surface, neither bounced nor turned. It did not seam of swing. On such a dead surface it is very difficult assessing the performance of a team. Still then Bangladesh fought eye to eye with the Sri Lankans showing great commitments. 

Batting looked all right excepting off course Saif Hasan opening partner of Tamim getting out in both innings very early in two of the better balls of the test. We would not suggest any change of the batsmen not even Saif. The youngster definitely deserves at least another opportunity. 

Tamim played two entertaining innings. Mominul as usual demonstrated why he is the steadiest Bangladesh batsman on test. Nazmul Shanto produced a great 163 in the first innings . Mushfique did not get much time but nevertheless looked good . Liton scored a fifty. 

However , with the prospect of wicket in the same venue being pace friendly would suggest a change in batting order. We feel Mushfique being the best technically equipment batsman of the team should bat not later than four. In case Bangladesh loose few early wickets Mushfique would need batting longer . Batting at 5 is too low for him. This can only happen if Mominul and Mushfique bat at his usual positions 3 and 4 and Nazmul Shanto bats at 5. It will be a very difficult decision after Shanto playing his best innings in the first test at 3. Bangladesh batsmen below 6 did not bat well. There is no option as well. If team management decides playing Naeem Hasan at the expense of a pace bowler Naeem can add to batting strength. But would suggest going for three pacers two spinners option like the first test.

In bowling department even on the dead surface Taskin hurried Sri Lankan batsmen with pace and teased them with subtle movement. He lacked partnership. Would suggest reviewing the option of playing him in place of Abu Jayed Rahi. The wicket and condition of Kandy do not suit his type of Swing bowling. Shoriful is a left arm pacer. He can ideally complement Taskin. I think Ebadat bowled well on day five. Two spinners Mehedy Miraj and Taijul bowled well within themselves.  If Naeem is consider a better option than Taijul looking at the wicket that would not bad as well. 

Bangladesh will need a bowling combination that can take 20 Lankan wickets. For achieving team management taking the state of the wicket in consideration decide whether staying with three pacers and two spinners option or bring in an additional spinner (Naeem) sacrificing one pacer Rahi. In that situation Shoriful should be pairing with Taskin.

Taskin ,Shoriful bowling in tandem can definitely get some breakthroughs. Then spinners can take offer . If wicket has bounce Taskin , Shoriful , Ebadat can win Bangladesh the test provided the batsmen give them enough runs. 

Suggested Team:
Tamim, Saif, Mominul, Mushfique, Nazmul Shanto , Liton , Mehedy , Taijul / Naeem Hasan , Taskin , Ebadat , Rahi / Shoriful 

BDST: 1155 HRS, APR 28, 2021
SMS