Bangladesh eye to change their recent red-ball fortune in SL series
BCB
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Bangladesh end Day 2 with 64-run lead despite late collapse
14 hrs ago
The two-Test series between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at home might be a turning point in both countries' WTC23 preparations.
A Bangladesh home sweep would move them above the West Indies in seventh on the table, though a two-Test victory for Sri Lanka could springboard their campaign, helping them press towards a historic, though albeit unlikely, 2023 final spot.
Mominul Haque's squad are eager to bounce back following a disappointing red ball showing in South Africa as their World Test Championship campaign hangs in the balance.
Bangladesh's struggles in the longest format of the game are reflected in their recent home records against the West Indies and Pakistan.
However, Tiger skipper was not the one to think about the previous results.
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"We always play to win. We will definitely play with our own plan here. You cannot think about what happened in the past. Those who will be able to handle the pressure over the next five days will win the match. The past results won't play any role here," said Mominul.
The host team will be relieved to receive the services of premier all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan at the last minute, but Mominul will be without his two in-form players, bowler Taskin Ahmed and allrounder Mehedi Hasan Miraz.
"They made a huge contribution in winning the Test in New Zealand. We will miss them because they were in good form. They performed so well that there were not many chances for the others to take their places but I believe it's an opportunity for others to prove their worth," he added.
He also informed that Shakib was hundred percent fit to play the first Test.
"Shakib bhai is mentally very strong. You can understand someone's fitness by watching his batting. I think he is hundred percent fit. We will decide whether we go with four or five bowlers after inspecting the pitch tomorrow morning. Shakib bhai's presence always gives us comfort in regards to team combination. We will decide tomorrow whether we pick three or two pacers."
