Sri Lanka Triumphs Over Bangladesh in Test Series Clean Sweep
Sri Lanka swiftly concluded the Test series on the fifth day, claiming the last three wickets in under an hour. Despite a valiant 81* from Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Bangladesh fell short by 192 runs, marking another disappointing defeat on home ground.
This victory propelled Sri Lanka from the bottom of the World Test Championship standings to a commendable fourth place, boasting a 50 percent points percentage.
Related Article: Sri Lanka Surpasses Pakistan in World Test Championship Standings
Although Sri Lanka is known for its spinners, the pacers took center stage in this series, claiming 33 out of the 40 wickets against Bangladesh.
Sri Lanka’s captain, Dhananjaya de Silva, lauded his fast bowlers for their crucial role in securing the series victory.
“As a captain, I prefer a more aggressive brand of cricket, especially on a dead wicket, and that’s why I opt for fast bowlers,” Dhananjaya shared in a post-match press conference.
➡ https://t.co/GWyapQtxT7 pic.twitter.com/TprPtBeJhF
“Our bowlers proved that they don’t need grass on the track to claim wickets. A series win like this, where the fast bowlers lead the charge, is a significant morale boost for the team. We have areas to improve, and we’ll address those as we prepare for our upcoming tour of England,” he added.
On the other hand, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto encouraged his team to strive for improvement after the disappointing series.
Najmul Hossain Shanto’s batting highlights during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 against Sri Lanka
Shanto stressed the need for more match practice for the Test squad ahead of international assignments, suggesting A-team matches to help familiarise with playing conditions.
“If we can send our Test specialists to play in our next Test destination with the Bangladesh A team, we will be better prepared. They will become familiar with those wickets and conditions. Even if the A team series is at home, it will help,” Shanto told reporters.
Following the series whitewash, the Bangladesh batters have come under scrutiny, with the team managing scores of less than 190 in three out of the four innings.
Najmul Hossain Shanto showcasing his potential during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023
Shanto was critical of his team’s batting performance but remained hopeful for improvement in the upcoming series.
“We didn’t bat well throughout the series. There’s no room for excuses. We can say lots of things but the fact remains that we didn’t perform as a team in the four innings. We are more capable than what we displayed in these two Tests. We have room for improvement both technically and mentally,” he said.
World Test Championship Standings
Bangladesh’s next assignment in the WTC25 is against Pakistan, scheduled for later this year in August, while Sri Lanka will embark on a tour to England for a three-match series around the same time.