Agencies
Sri Lanka haven't had the best of starts to 2021 but Bangladesh go into the two-Test series knowing the odds will be stacked against them. Sri Lanka lost 0-2 at home to England after suffering an away 0-2 defeat in South Africa. However, they managed to draw the two Tests in West Indies to regain some confidence before the home series against Bangladesh.
Bangladesh come into the series with eight consecutive losses across formats. In their last nine Tests they have just one win - against Zimbabwe. The visitors understand that to do well in Sri Lanka, their pacers will have to put their hand up and script defining performances. In the two-day intra-squad match, Bangladesh used seven pacers but only Abu Jayed was able to pick up a wicket.
"Our pace bowlers bowled well in patches (during the practice game) but that won't serve the purpose as we need to bowl in partnership," Khaled Mahmud, former head coach and current team leader of the touring party, told Cricbuzz. "We haven't played in Pallekelle but what I understand it will have something for the pace bowlers and now they need to seize the opportunity.
"Our pace bowlers cannot get disoriented if things are not working for them because unless you are executing your plans and bowling according to your field it is very difficult to shine in Tests. Unlike in shorter formats, the batsmen won't be pushing for runs so you need to buy the wickets."
Bangladesh have included the likes of Taskin Ahmed, Khaled Ahmed, Ebadat Ahmed, Abu Jayed and three uncapped in Mukidul Islam, Shohidul Islam and Shoriful Islam for the tour. The aim is to build a pace-bowling unit that'll serve the side in future. Bangladesh's High-Performance Unit bowling coach Champaka Ramanayke is confident the pacers have the required skill to shine in Sri Lanka.