Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka: 1st Test Preview

Bangladesh (BAN) and Sri Lanka (SL) are all set to take on each other in the first Test match of the two-match series at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Sylhet on Friday, March 22. After winning the three-match ODI series 2-1, hosts Bangladesh will be running high on confidence and will be looking to make their mark in the longest format of the game. 

On the other hand, visitors clinched the T20I series but failed to replicate the same form in the 50-over format. With the upcoming Test series, Sri Lanka who are reeling at the bottom of the World Test Championship points table will be looking to register a win and open their account on the table.

In a significant development, Sri Lanka announced that their star spinner Wanindu Hasaranga would be included in the Test squad after coming out of his Test retirement. But the spinner was sanctioned by the ICC for breaching article 2.8 of the player's code of conduct, for showing dissent against the umpire's decision.

Sylhet International Cricket Stadium Pitch Report

The pitch at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Sylhet is helpful for both batters and bowlers. The pitch provides true bounce and allows for well-timed strokes for the batters. While, in the initial stages of the innings, fast bowlers will get some help and later on spinners can utilise the bounce to generate late spin off the pitch.

BAN vs SL Probable Playing XIs

Bangladesh:

Bangladesh are coming off a series win and performed really well in the T20Is. With the series moving the red ball format, both teams need to bring their A-game on the field. In their last series against New Zealand at home they gave a tough fight and drew the series 1-1. The Najmul Hossain Shanto-led side will be looking to add crucial points to the WTC points table.

Zakir Hasan, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Najmul Hossain Shanto (C), Mominul Haque, Shahadat Hossain Dipu, Litton Das (WK), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nayeem Hasan, Shoriful Islam, Taijul Islam, Khaled Ahmed

Also read: BAN vs SL: Hamstring injury forces Dilshan Madushanka's ouster from remaining fixtures

Sri Lanka:

Sri Lanka are coming off a Test victory in their last series against Afghanistan. With the loss in the T20I series, the visitors will be looking to make a roaring comeback in the long format of the game against the Bangladesh side.

Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dhananjaya de Silva (C), Kamindu Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal (WK), Angelo Mathews, Ramesh Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Kasun Rajitha

BAN vs SL Head-to-Head Record in Tests:

BAN vs SL, 3rd ODI Broadcast Details: