Silverwood banks on Nawaz experience to stun Tigers

DHAKA, May 22, 2022 (BSS) - Sri Lanka coach Chris Silverwood relied on Navid

Nawaz experience to exploit the condition of Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National
Cricket Stadium in the second Test against Bangladesh, starting tomorrow
(Monday).

Navid Nawaz who is the assistant coach of Sri Lanka now, worked in Bangladesh
with the Bangladesh Under-19 team. Under his guidance the Under-19 team won
the 2020 ICC Youth World Cup.

Silverwood however knows well that if they design their first XI which could
complement the condition, there is great chance to win that game.

Therefore he emphasized on condition ahead of the second Test, which both of
the sides want to win in a bid to win the series. The first Test in
Chattogram ended in a draw after largely dominated by Bangladesh.

"We go through every ground's statistics. We look at what results have been
here before, what the make-up of the bowling attack and batting line-up has
been. We consider history, and then we will pick our team," Silverwood said
here today.

"I haven't seen this wicket but I do have someone who you all know, is in my
coaching staff, who knows these conditions. I will speak to my assistant
coach (Navid Nawaz) so that we fully understand how this wicket will play. We
will be using his knowledge from his time in Bangladesh, and the statistics
of this ground to make sure the captain has the best possible bowling attack
to exploit the conditions."

While Bangladesh spinners dazzled in Chattogram Test, Sri Lankan roared
through their pacers, specially Kasun Rajitha who came to as the concussion
sub of Vishwa Fernando. Rajitah's excellent bowling created some chances to
Sri Lanka also in the first Test.

Alongside Rajitha, Asitha Fernando also did well really. But since Mirpur has
the reputation of being a rage turner, pacers role became impassive here.

"I thought Kasun and Asitha were excellent. I thought the way that they
continued, the heart and fight that they showed, in what was a flat wicket,
they were exceptional," he said.

"I don't think this is going to be an easy game at all. Both teams want to
win this game. I think the last game was a close-fought contest. The momentum
swung both ways, rapidly at times. Bangladesh had us on the ropes at times.
We had to fight back hard to make sure that we got back into the game."

Silverwood further stressed upon the requirements of winning the game in a bid to bring back smile to the people back home.

"The players are very focused. They know we have a tough task in front us. It is a great challenge. Both teams want to win. It will be great if we can win.
It will bring a smile to the people back home. Equally, Bangladesh will try to do the same, so that will make a great contest."