Bangladesh will aim for a rare slice of history when they take on Sri Lanka in the second and final Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground in Colombo today, hoping to seal their first-ever Test series victory over the hosts.
Former Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar has voiced support for under-fire opener Anamul Haque Bijoy, suggesting that the team management should give the struggling batter "one more chance" despite a poor showing in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.
Come June 26, Bangladesh will be completing its 25 years in Test cricket.
Sri Lankan great Angelo Mathews received a warm reception from the Bangladesh team during his farewell Test in Galle, which ended in a draw yesterday. The visitors gave him a guard of honour during his first-innings walk to the crease and later greeted him warmly after the match.
Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto defended his decision to declare late on the fifth day of the first Test in Galle, citing rain as a key factor that disrupted their plans for an earlier declaration.
Yet, despite the individual brilliance, murmurs of doubt persisted over Bangladesh’s approach, particularly their intent, or the lack thereof, in pursuing a win.
“As a leader, he’s shown great character, which will benefit the rest of the team.”
Unbeaten centuries from Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim on the opening day of the Galle Test yesterday brought welcome relief to Bangladesh cricket, who have been under scrutiny in recent months for both on- and off-field issues.
Bangladesh batter Mushfiqur Rahim has backed skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto to go on and convert his century into a double, after both reached three figures on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle on Tuesday.
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto feels that the likes of Nahid Rana and others who have been drafted in by Pakistan Super League (PSL) sides will get valuable experience playing in franchise cricket.
Having earlier ended his Test and T20I career, Mahmudullah took his final bow from ODIs yesterday.
Bangladesh are set to bank big despite their sorry display in the Champions Trophy.
Before leaving Dhaka for the ICC Champions Trophy, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto had boldly announced his grand goal of bringing the trophy home, raising many eyebrows.
Hosts Pakistan and Bangladesh have had several similarities in their disappointing ICC Champions Trophy exits.
Despite having been on the receiving end of one-sided affairs against India (six-wicket defeat) and New Zealand (five-wicket), Shanto somehow found some inspiration from their performance in the first two games.
It appears that interest has waned in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, and its twin city, Rawalpindi, as fans turn their backs on today’s ICC Champions Trophy Group A clash between Bangladesh and Pakistan.
“Ben Duckett cost them [England] the game… scored too slow, mate… they should have got to at least 380,” former South Africa batter Herschelle Gibbs said about Duckett’s innings after England lost their Champions Trophy opener against Australia in Lahore last Saturday, despite posting 351 for eight -- the highest total in the competition’s history -- only for Australia to chase it down with five wickets and 15 balls to spare.
Ultimately, Bangladesh remain trapped in an endless cycle: talking big to create pre-tournament hype, crumbling under pressure, and then scrambling for excuses.
Another meek batting display saw Bangladesh eliminated from the race for the semifinals of the ICC Champions Trophy following a five-wicket defeat against New Zealand in their second Group A fixture at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium yesterday.
