It will be a prestigious encounter for the Tigers to restore some prides when they will play their second Test not only to save the series but to avoid the third straight defeat to Sri Lanka.
Bangladesh suffered defeats in their last two Test matches in a row to Sri Lanka, one was in May 2022 in Mirpur by 10 wickets and another one was at the same ground in last week by 328 runs.
So, the Chattogram Test turns into a prestigious encounter for the Tigers, at least to break their winning draught against Sri Lanka when they won their only Test match in 2017.
In fact, the only win was against 19 defeats since Bangladesh and Sri Lanka started their bilateral Test in 2001.
Bangladesh played 25 Test matches since 2001 suffered 19 defeats with eight innings defeats and could draw five matches when their first draw came in the 13th match in Galle after suffering 12 defeats in a row at home and away. Winning only one match against 20 defeats after playing 26 Tests, it is just a disgraceful record for a team and obviously, Tigers will fight to regain their pride.
However, today might be Tigers will have some inspiration when the star all rounder Shakib Al Hassan will join them but it is very much expected that his presence will be boosted up the team to break the winning draught against Sri Lanka.
Today it might be something a mixed experience for the Tigers, when they will have the most successful all-rounder with them but they will miss their head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe.
Tigers will play the match under the assistant coach Nic Pothas, who took the charge for the duration of the match in absence of Hathuru.
However, Shakib’s joining obviously would influence shaping the starting line-up and to have right team balance. But the Tigers’ former captain will return to Test cricket almost after a year when he played his last Test in in April 2023.
Now, Tigers will of course be looking forward to avoid the series defeat and as well as the third straight defeat to Sri Lanka, so it’s of course a bit doubtful whether he would appear with his real character or not. But his present at the dressing room is a great inspiration for the others, as Nic Pothas said.
Pothas, in a pre-match press meet on Friday said, “The best all-rounder of world is coming back. His comeback is obviously the best of luck for any team. It’s something special when he is in the dressing room.”
It might be an encouragement for Tigers as out of their five draws against Sri Lanka, three were at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium when the last one was in May 2022.
Tigers will miss Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim, the two centurion of the last draw match at this venue. But will have two vital performers Nayeem Hassan and Shakib Al Hassan who took six and three wickets in the first innings may play vital roles today.