Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka 1st Test 2018: Spin will be the main weapon?

The first Test of the two-match Test series between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will kick off from today (31^st January 2018). Taking the spin track into consideration, both teams will give emphasis on the strength of spin attack. It will not be a shocking matter if they select more than two specialist spinners for the Test. Bangladesh selectors have already drafted 6 spinners in their 16-man squad. Both uncapped and veteran bowlers have got their places in this list. So, it will be a real challenge for spinners to make their inclusion in the playing team.

The absence of Bangladesh premier all-rounder, Shakib Al Hasan, who has been left out of the first Test because of finger injury, has come as a big blow for the team. The day he sustained injury Bangladesh selectors drafted two uncapped players- Sunzamul Islam and Tanbir Hayder. They will join Nayeem Hasan, who was picked up from Under-19 team in New Zealand. To beef up the spin attack, the selectors have called up the 35-year-old Abdur Razzak, who played his last Test in 2014.

No doubt, Sri Lankan cricket team is now flying high after winning the tri-series title. They will try to keep their winning momentum even in Test series. For that, they will have to depend on Dinesh Chandimal who made 366 runs in three Tests in India. If he can score big runs, Sri Lanka can put up a challenging score against the host nation.

The main cause of concern for Bangladeshi batsmen will be Rangana Herath who has so far taken 41 wickets against the same opponent at an average of 22.63. Bangladeshi batsmen’s performance against him will decide the fate of the series. If top order fails then the entire batting line-up will be collapsed. Tomorrow we can see if batsmen can handle Herath with their bats.