The much-anticipated two-match Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka Test series 2022 will begin next week in Chattogram on Sunday (May 15). The second Test will start on May 23 at the SBNCS, Mirpur. Both sides have already announced their squads for the series. The Bangladesh team started their practice, while the Sri Lanka team is scheduled to arrive on May 8. Since the series is part of the ICC Test Championship, both teams are anticipated to fight hard. Let’s take a look at the squad strength comparison of the two teams.

Bangladesh Squad for Sri Lanka Series

The BCB selectors announced their 18-member squad last month. Two of the regular members in recent years, Shadman Islam and Abu Jayed Chowdhury Rahi, weren’t picked due to their poor performances in the recent series. Besides, Mehidy Hasan Miraz was excluded from the first Test one day after selection. He sustained an injury while playing a DPL match. Later, BCB included off-spinner Nayeem Hasan and all-rounder Mosaddek Hossain. Pacer Taskin Ahmed will miss the series due to an injury.

Squad

Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mominul Haque (captain), Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Liton Das, Yasir Ali, Nurul Hasan, Taijul Islam, Ebadot Hossain, Khaled Ahmed, Rejaur Rahman Raja, Shoriful Islam, Shohidul Islam, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (will not be available for the first match).

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Sri Lanka Squad for Bangladesh Series

The Sri Lankan Cricket Board announced their 18-man squad on Wednesday (May 4). The SLC selectors included a number of uncapped players, and some recalled for the upcoming series. The squad comprised a few highly experienced players as well. So, this announced Sri Lankan Test team is a mixture of young and experienced players.

Sri Lanka Squad

Dimuth Karunaratne (captain), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamil Mishara, Oshada Fernando, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella, Chamika Karunaratne, Ramesh Mendis, Dilshan Madushanka, Praveen Jayawickrama, Lasith Embuldeniya, Suminda Lakshan, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando.

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Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka: Squad Assessment

Both sides have some exciting and talented players who have the ability to showcase game-changing performances when needed. In addition, both sides' team management will be expected to see their fringe players fire up during the Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka Test Series 2022. Here is the two teams’ squad comparison.

Batting/Top-Order

Bangladesh's top order in the forthcoming series includes Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, and Najmul Hossain Shanto. Tamim is a vastly experienced player who has a nearly 40 average in Tests. The southpaw had a match-winning knock against Sri Lanka back in 2017.

Besides, Mahmudul Hasan joy started his Test career with a lot of promises. He played two incredible knocks against New Zealand and South Africa, respectively, away from home. Now, Joy will get a chance to showcase his talent in front of home crowds. No.3 batter Najmul Hossain Shanto has also been having a good time with the bat in the recent series.

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Bangladesh’s top-order batting stats

Player	Innings	Runs	HS	Ave	100s
Tamim Iqbal	125	4,848	206	39.41	9
Mahmudul Hasan Joy	7	225	137	32.14	1
Najmul Hossain Shanto	29	817	163	29.17	2

   Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have experienced players in the top order. Sri Lankan captain Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis are big-match players, while Oshada Fernando has a lot of first-class cricket experience.

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Sri Lanka’s top-order batting stats

Player	Innings	Runs	HS	Ave	100s
Dimuth Karunaratne	147	5,620	244	39.57	14
Oshada Fernando	24	726	102	34.57	1
Kusal Mendis	93	3,078	196	34.58	7

    Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/

Advantage: Sri Lanka

Batting/Middle-Orders

Bangladesh have a very capable and experienced middle-order who can shine with the bat on home soil. Shakib, Mushfiqur, Mominul, and Litton all have very good records at home. The host can expect a commanding performance from its middle-order batters.

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Bangladesh’s middle-order batting stats

Player	Innings	Runs	HS	Ave	100s
Shakib Al Hasan	109	4,029	217	39.50	5
Mushfiqur Rahim	148	4,932	219*	36.26	7
Mominul Haque	95	3,514	181	39.48	11
Litton Das	53	1,730	114	33.26	2

            Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/

Sri Lanka have some quality middle-order batsmen, but some of their regulars have not been in good form recently. Sri Lanka lost the Test series against India because of their middle-order lack of form with the bat. However, players like Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, and Niroshan Dickwella are very capable batters.

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Sri Lanka’s middle-order batting stats

Player	Innings	Runs	HS	Ave	100s
Angelo Mathews	169	6,432	200*	44.05	11
Dinesh Chandimal	117	4,217	164	39.41	11
Dhananjaya de Silva	72	2,517	173	38.13	8
Niroshan Dickwella	84	2,529	96	32.42	0

            Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/

Advantage: Bangladesh

Bowling

Bangladesh and Sri Lanka both have some quality spinners in their respective squads. Shakib Al Hasan, the world's best all-rounder, will spearhead the hosts' spin attack, while Taijul Islam and Nayeem Hasan can be lethal in Bangladesh's conditions. If Mehidy Hasan Miraz is available for the second Test, he has the potential to be a real weapon for the home team. However, it’s the pace of bowling that can make the difference, as Bangladesh pacers have done well in recent series. Fast bowlers like Ebadot Hossain, Khaled Ahmed, and Shohidul Islam can fire up with the ball using home conditions.

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Bangladesh’s top Five Key bowlers bowling stats

Player	Match	Wickets	BBI	Ave	5W
Shakib Al Hasan	59	215	7/36	31.30	18
Taijul Islam	36	153	8/39	32.01	10
Nayeem Hasan	7	25	5/61	26.24	2
Ebadot Hossain	14	25	6/46	57.48	1
Khaled Ahmed	5	9	4/92	61.55	0

    Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/

Experienced Suranga Lakmal is not part of this squad. Therefore, the Lankan pace bowling unit is not strong enough to take a real test from Bangladesh’s batters. However, Sri Lanka’s spin bowling department has some quality players who can put pressure on the opposition batters. Among the spinners, Praveen Jayawickrama and Lasith Embuldeniya can be lethal against Bangladesh batters.

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Sri Lanka’s top Five Key bowlers bowling stats 

Player	Match	Wickets	BBI	Ave	5W
Praveen Jayawickrama	4	25	6/92	19.48	2
Lasith Embuldeniya	15	70	7/137	34.77	5
Ramesh Mendis	4	26	6/70	21.53	2
Kasun Rajitha	9	25	3/20	31.16	0
Vishwa Fernando	16	43	5/101	37.30	1

   Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/

Bottom Line  

The Sri Lankan squad is comprised of some new faces, while Bangladesh selectors included all the expected names in their squad. The Lankan side recently suffered a huge defeat against India. On the other hand, Bangladesh’s recent performance in the away Test series has been impressive. From that perspective, the hosts can expect a dominant performance during the Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka Test series 2022. Besides, the ICC’s World Test Championship will add a new dimension to the contest. Both sides will be eager to perform well in order to collect points to move up the standings. 

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