Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test Tips & Preview – The Visitors Are Hungry For Points

These are very early days in the 2023-25 World Test Championship cycle for both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. So far, both sides have been so far away from the top of the table that they’ve never been in discussion for being in contention.

Things haven’t changed a whole lot this time around, but at least there’s an opportunity for both of them to get in some early points. They’re both yet to announce their squads officially. But make no mistake, on surfaces that will turn from the outset, expect both squads to be loaded with a plethora of spin options.

Bangladesh are currently fourth, having already secured a win out of the two games they’ve played in this cycle. That win came in November when they beat New Zealand in Sylhet by 150 runs. All through that two-Test series, Bangladesh challenged New Zealand. With a bit of luck, the series scoreline could’ve so easily been 2-0. It was mere validation that at home, they’re a force to reckon with, irrespective of the format.

Najmul Hossain Shanto, the new Test captain, celebrated his elevation with a match-winning century before their spinners took over. Between them, the spinners took 17 of the 20 New Zealand wickets. Ten of those went to left-arm spinner Taijul Islam alone. Expect spin to play a massive part again in the series.

Sri Lanka’s most recent outing in the format came last month when they beat Afghanistan by ten wickets at the Sinhalese Sports Club. That game, however, wasn’t part of the WTC cycle. Their only two Tests in this cycle came last July at home. In both those games, they were beaten by Pakistan.

As a result, they’re currently at the bottom of the championship table. But unlike England, who are one spot ahead of them, Sri Lanka have the advantage of having played just two games as compared to England’s 10. So, a series win here will vault them into the top five.