BAN vs SL Match Preview
We've done the hard work for you by looking back at the last time Bangladesh and Sri Lanka played Test cricket. It is obvious there are some good selections for your Dream11 team. But there are a few less obvious options you should consider as well. Let's take a look.
Taijul Islam is proably the first name you should put on your teamsheet. Bangladesh's star left-arm spinner took 15 wickets against New Zealand the last time they met for a two-Test series. That was four months ago, but Islam has remained in good touch and is in a good position to do well here again.
Sri Lanka have an outstanding left-arm spinner of their own, too. Prabath Jayasuriya has only played 10 Tests, but has already amassed 67 wickets. That's prolific - you can't look past these numbers. He is certainly among our top Dream11 tips for this match.
Sri Lanka played a Test match as recently as last month. That was a one-off affair against Afghanistan. Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal hit centuries. For batting options, you can't really go wrong with these two. They should pack plenty of punch in the middle order.
Kusal Mendis is another top selection. He will likely be relieved of the wicketkeeping duties for this series, freeing him up to focus solely on his role at the top of the Sri Lankan order. He probably isn't too far away from scoring a 10th Test century amid a reasonably solid nine-year career in the longest format of the international game.
And then there's Shoriful Islam. At just 22 years old, the young Bangladesh is a promising prospect in Test cricket. He bowls with good pace and aggression, which was witnessed in the recent limited-overs series against Sri Lanka. Seamers will still have a big role to play in spin-friendly conditions in Sylhet.
Weather Report
Dry weather is anticipated on day one. Rain is forecast for days two through five. This could affect the result, perhaps making a draw more likely than a win for either team.
Pitch Report
This venue has hosted two Tests previously. On both occasions, the team to win the toss batted first. All 40 wickets fell in both matches. A first-innings total of 300-plus could be competitive. Both teams should field at least two specialist spinners.
Notable stats
Prabath Jayasuriya
Jayasuriya is 32 years old and debuted in Test cricket in 2022. His 67 wickets in 10 Test include seven five-fors and two 10-wicket match hauls. Prolific, indeed.
Team News
Sri Lanka won't have leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, who came out of Test retirement only to be barred from playing by Sri Lanka Cricket. Bangladesh will be without batter Mushfiqur Rahim, who has been sidelined by injury.
BAN vs SL Probable 11
BAN Playing 11
- Mahmudul Joy
- Zakir Hasan
- Najmul Shanto (C)
- Mominul Haque
- Towhid Hridoy
- Shahadat Hossain
- Mehidy Miraz
- Nurul Hasan (Wk)
- Nayeem Hasan
- Taijul Islam
- Shoriful Islam
SL Playing 11
- Nishan Madushka
- Dimuth Karunaratne
- Kusal Mendis
- Angelo Mathews
- Dinesh Chandimal
- Dhananjaya de Silva (C)
- Sadeera Samarawickrama (Wk)
- Chamika Gunasekara
- Prabath Jayasuriya
- Kasun Rajitha
- Lahiru Kumara
Dream11 Prediction
Bangladesh have momentum after beating Sri Lanka in their ODI series. The Tigers also have homeground advantage and confidence after winning a Test against New Zealand late last year. The hosts should win this series opener.
Top Picks
Prabath Jayasuriya: Pick the Sri Lankan left-arm seamer that is averaging 6.7 wickets per Tests for a sustained period.
Dinesh Chandimal: Select the Sri Lankan middle-order star who has plenty of experience and has scored 15 Test centuries.
Taijul Islam: Name Bangladesh's most prolific left-arm spinner in Test cricket in recent times in your Dream11 team. He's well worth the selection.
BAN vs SL Dream11 Team 1
Keeper: Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kusal Mendis
Batters: Dimuth Karunaratne, Mominul Haque (VC), Angelo Mathews
All-rounders: Dhananjaya de Silva (C), Mehidy Miraz
Bowlers: Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Taijul Islam, Shoriful Islam
