Bangladesh keen to turn things around against Sri Lanka

Following the drawn first Test, hosts Bangladesh would be keen to turn things around when the second game of the two-match series commences at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium here on May 23, with vital World Test Championship (WTC) points at stake.

Sri Lanka's Test record against Bangladesh is one of near-complete dominance, but with the visitors missing several key players, it could change the balance with the hosts targeting a first-ever series win over the island nation's side in the longest format.

A win for Bangaldesh in Mirpur will see them pull away from England, who are at the bottom of the WTC standings in the nine-team table.

There were signs that the tide could be turning, with Bangladesh's Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim notching up fine centuries, and wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das scoring a patient 88 in the drawn first Test.

Sri Lanka and Bangladesh had first met in the longest format in 2001, but it has been one-way traffic, with Sri Lanka winning 17 and losing just one of their 23 meetings so far.

Sri Lankan spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan was at the forefront of the country's complete dominance against the Tigers when he was around. In 11 matches he took 11 five-wicket hauls, picking up 10 wickets in a match on four separate occasions, according to ICC.

Murali took a bagful of wickets against every single opposition, averaging less than 26 against all but India and Australia. But his lowest average against a single opponent came against Bangladesh, with his 89 wickets coming at just 13.37, according to ICC. IANS

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