Bangladesh will host Sri Lanka in the second and last match of the two-match Test series which will start on Saturday (30 March) at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram.

The hosts earlier lost the three-match T20I series by 1-2, but won the three-match ODI series by 2-1 against the tourists.

The Test series is a part of the 2023-25 ICC World Test Championship cycle which means Tigers have to take the second match seriously and have a lot to think about as they suffered a humiliating 328-run defeat in the first Test at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) came alive after the team’s horrific performance in Sylhet and made two changes to the previous (first) Test squad, with the talismanic all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and pacer Hasan Mahmud replacing Tawhid Hridoy and Mushfik Hasan respectively.

Bangladesh earned a 1-1 tie in the two-match Test series against New Zealand at home which took place between November and December last year. The team must repeat the same thing against Sri Lanka by winning the second Test.

However, The Daily Sun found out five areas which Bangladesh should think about before rolling on to the crucial second Test.

Liton’s form

Liton has been a key batsman for Tigers in all three formats for the last few years, but his recent form across formats has been worrisome, scoring three ducks in the last four international innings. His mode of dismissal in the second innings of the first Test sparked criticism from the fans and the media, after he charged down the wicket to throw away his wicket at a time when his team was already tottering at 37-4, chasing a mammoth target of 511. He has scored 307 runs in his last 10 Test innings, crossing the 50-run mark on only two occasions.

Top order’s failure

Tigers have to ponder upon the top order, especially the opening combination, given the lack of consistency from both Zakir Hasan and Mahmudul Hasan Joy. Joy scored 12 and zero, while Zakir scored nine and 19 respectively in the first and second innings of the first Test.

Even, their last six innings have been a big concern for the team. Zakir mustered only 115 runs at an average of 19.17 while Joy amassed only 122 runs at an average of 20.33. Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto also failed to rise to the occasion, making five and six respectively.

Lack of game awareness

Bangladesh showed a lack of game awareness on a few instances in the first Test as they missed the chance of sending back Lankan skipper Dhananjaya De Silva before his ton in both innings.

First, they did not take a review when Dhananjaya was on 95 in the first innings and in the second innings, the Lankan skipper edged one into the hands of Liton but he did not appeal. These two mistakes cost Bangladesh, as the Sri Lankan skipper went on to score hundreds in both innings.

Also, the hosts misjudged various lbw calls throughout the match.

Mominul proves his worth but others fail

The Bangladesh batters showed a lack of application at the crease. Though particular cricketers got some good starts, but ultimately failed to convert those into big innings. Mominul Hoque was an exception as he scored 87 not out in the second innings. Taijul Islam's 47 in the first innings was the second highest for Bangladesh.

Liton got a start in the first innings with a 25-run knock while Mehidy Hasan Miraz scored 33 in the second innings, with both failing to convert.

In comparison, Sri Lanka’s two batters Dhananjaya de Silva and Kamindu Mendis stood tall when the team needed them. Both batters scored 102 each in the first innings.

In the second innings, Kamindu scored his career best 164 to go with Dhananjaya's 108, setting up a huge victory for the visitors.

Lack of aggression 

Bangladesh were in the game in many phases of the opening Test but they could not capitalize on it and get to a position of dominance. Tigers had the Islanders in a spot of bother at 57-5 on the first day, but allowed the game to drift away with a 202-run stand between skipper Dhananjaya and Kamindu.

Bangladesh managed to put Sri Lanka under pressure in the second innings too, having them at 126-6 at one stage, before the same pair of Dhananjaya and Kamindu put up a 173-run stand for the sixth wicket. It showed that the hosts had a lack of aggressiveness and intensity, once they had the Lankans under pressure. They dropped catches, missed a run out opportunity, misjudged reviews and let the game drift away, instead of going for the kill.