Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto wants his batters to embrace the challenges in spin-friendly conditions as the first Test against Sri Lanka starts at the Galle International Stadium today.
The match will start at 10:00am Bangladesh Standard Time, and T Sports will telecast the game live from the venue.聽聽
The Test will mark the start of the new cycle of the World Test Championship, as both teams want to make strong starts to lay solid foundations for the championship ahead.
鈥業t鈥檚 important to start the new cycle of the WTC,鈥� Shanto said in the pre-match press conference at Galle on Sunday.
鈥業t鈥檚 a good opportunity, as our team is strong. We had a good preparation. If we can perform, a good result can be possible.鈥�
鈥榃e鈥檝e learnt our lessons. A strong home start lays the foundation for success on the road,鈥� said Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva.
However, Shanto pointed out that in order to bring a good result, the batters need to take the responsibilities.
He said, 鈥楾his is a new opponent and a new condition. We have several players with experience in this venue. I believe it would be beneficial if their expertise proves useful. But we have to play well, especially the batters.鈥�
Galle is typically spin-friendly, as the spinners took 100 out of 120 wickets in the four matches held since the start of 2024.
鈥極f course there will be challenges for batters [here] as spinners take more wickets. But runs can be scored, especially in the first couple of days. That鈥檚 why batting is important,鈥� said Shanto.
鈥楾here will be challenges in every condition. But the important thing is whether we are enjoying the challenges,鈥� he added.
In the build-up to the Test, the team management wanted to maintain 鈥榮ecrecy鈥� about their probable combination of the eleven.
However, the illness of Mehidy Hasan Miraz remained a concern for the Tigers. Shanto mentioned that the all-rounder was getting better but didn鈥檛 confirm whether he could take part in the first Test.
The Bangladesh captain also didn鈥檛 confirm his batting position despite opening the batting during the warm-up game in Mirpur prior to this tour.
鈥楢bout my batting position, I don鈥檛 want to announce it now. I don鈥檛 want them to get an idea,鈥� he said.
鈥楤ut many things will depend on Miraz and his condition. If he鈥檚 fit, then we will have a particular combination.鈥櫬�
Bangladesh have had success against the island nation, but the hosts remain firm favourites at home, as their head-to-head records indicate.
Sri Lanka have won 20 of the 26 Tests they have played against Bangladesh, who have managed just one win and five draws.
This will also be the last appearance for Angelo Mathews, as the Sri Lankan all-rounder announced his retirement from his 16-year illustrious career.
Bangladesh, however, wants to spoil Mathews鈥� party.
鈥極f course we want to win against any opposition,鈥� Shanto said when he was asked about the matter.
