Sri Lanka opt to bat first in Chattogram Test

Sri Lanka-Bangladesh Ctg Test

Dhaka, May 15 — Sri Lanka have won the toss and opted to bat first in the two-match series opener in Chattogram against Bangladesh.

Bangladesh included allrounder Shakib Al Hasan in the squad who was doubtful of his fitness. The allrounder just recovered from Covid-19 recently. He had to prove his fitness on Friday morning to be eligible for this match. 

Shakib missed Bangladesh’s last Test series against South Africa due to a family emergency. To make a way for him, Bangladesh overlooked Yasir Ali Rabbi. 

The hosts also included right-arm spinner Nayeem Hasan who was called up to replace injured Mehidy Hasan Miraz. And the left-arm spinner Taijul Islam is also in the team. Nayeem played his last Test early last year in Mirpur. 

This series is a part of the ICC World Test Championship. Bangladesh played six matches in this event and won only a match against New Zealand. 

Tigers are eager to prove their Test mettle against Sri Lanka who are a relatively inexperienced side than Bangladesh. 

Bangladesh (Playing XI): Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mominul Haque (c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das (w), Shakib Al Hasan, Nayeem Hasan, Taijul Islam, Khaled Ahmed, Shoriful Islam

Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella(w), Ramesh Mendis, Asitha Fernando, Lasith Embuldeniya, Vishwa Fernando - UNB