Mirpur braces for series decider

Bangladesh will be looking to bank on home advantage with spin expected to play a crucial role when Mominul Haque's side take on Sri Lanka in the second and series-deciding Test, starting at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur today.

Following a rather less-exciting drawn game in Chattogram, both teams will be eyeing to clinch the series with a win in Mirpur, which has been producing results in every Test match since 2015.

The hosts will miss a specialised off-spinner since Nayeem Hasan, who had picked up a five-wicket haul in Chattogram, broke his finger and will not feature in the eleven. All-rounder Mosaddek Hossain is likely to be used as the off-spin option.

Batting, though, will remain the centre of focus, with Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim – centurions of the first Test – are expected to continue their form alongside Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Liton Das, both having scored half-centuries in the port city. Shakib Al Hasan is expected to play a crucial role in spin department alongside Taijul Islam.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have never lost a Test series against Bangladesh, and despite the lack of experience in their bowling department, the visitors will surely want to put pressure on the home side.