Sri Lanka’s cricketers hope to distract their fans from the political turmoil in their homeland as they face Bangladesh in a series of two tests this weekend. The first Test of the series, which is part of the ICC World Test Championship, starts on Sunday at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong. Sri Lanka’s protracted economic and political crisis turned violent this week with at least nine dead and hundreds injured in clashes.
Assistant coach Naveed Nawaz told reporters in Dhaka that so far the players have been able to focus on preparing for a tough run.
“So far I don’t think it (the political turmoil) has affected us,” said the Sri Lankan.
“Most cricketers continue to do their hard work. Their training has been going on for a few months,” he said.
“It will be really good for us to take some positive things home with us. We want to continue to inspire the young generation of the country.”
Nawaz knows very well the threat posed by the home side – he helped develop promising Bangladeshi players such as Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Shoriful Islam as he coached their squad to the Under-19 World Cup title in 2020.
“I think those guys are really good players. One day they will be legends of Bangladesh cricket. They are so good,” said Nawaz.
Shoriful is expected to lead Bangladesh’s bowling attack in the absence of some key players.
Pace bowler Taskin Ahmed and spinner Mehidy Hasan are injured while star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, while allowed to play, is recovering from Covid-19.
With Bangladesh’s spin attack hit by Mehidy’s absence and uncertainty about Shakib, the team’s fast bowling coach Allan Donald insisted on being creative.
“They know what to expect. But the general patience, perseverance and creativity we bring will be a test,” the former South African said quickly on Thursday.
“As the ball gets old, the reverse swing problem has to come in. So it’s a step-by-step process. It becomes a test.
“Discipline, mental and creativity will be huge,” he said.
The second test will be in Dhaka from May 23.
The two teams are close in the ICC Test rankings with Sri Lanka in seventh place and Bangladesh in ninth.
Bangladesh drew 1-1 against New Zealand in January, but were beaten 2-0 in their series in South Africa in April.
Sri Lanka lost 2-0 to India in March, but defeated the West Indies at home by the same margin in November.
promoted
Bangladesh Selection: Mominul Haque (Capt), Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Najmul Hossain, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Liton Das, Yasir Ali, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Ebadot Hossain, Khaled Ahmed, Quazi Nurul Hasan, Rejaur Rahman, Shohidul Islam , Shoriful Islam.
Sri Lankan squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (Captain), Kamil Mishara, Oshada Fernando, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella, Dinesh Chandimal, Ramesh Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Suminda Lakshan, Kasun Rajitha, Di Vishwa Fernando… Madushanka, Praveen Jayawickrama, Lasith Embuldeniya.
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