Bangladesh-Sri Lanka first Test begins in Galle today

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GALLE, SRI LANKA: Deputy Managing Director of Dhaka Bank Emranul Huq, Bangladesh Captain Mushfiqur Rahim and Sri Lankan Angelo Mathews unveiled the trophy for the Dhaka Bank Test Series 2013 at a function in Sri Lanka (Thursday).

The first match of the Dhaka Bank two-match Test series between touring Bangladesh and hosts Sri Lanka will begin today (Friday) at the Galle International Stadium in Sri Lanka, reports UNB. Batsman cum wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim will lead the Bengal Tigers while Angelo Mathews will lead Sri Lanka for the first time as a full time captain in the Test series, to be telecast live by Satellite TV channel Maasranga Television on Friday from 10:30 am (Bangladesh time) The 2nd and final Test match between the two teams will be played at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on March 16-20. The pitch of Galle International Stadium, which usually takes turn from day one, shaped as a paradise for spinners and lucky hunting ground for Sri Lanka where they lost only three times in 21 matches. Bangladesh lost all eight Tests they played in Sri Lanka and could never took a match into the fifth day. Former national skipper Mohammad Ashraful is the Bangladesh's most successful Test batsman in Sri Lanka, scoring two hundreds including the one on debut creating world record to be the youngest batsman to score a century on debut. Bangladesh includes youngsters like Anamul Haque Bijoy and Mominul Haque as their latest talents while opener Jahurul Islam and Marshall Ayub were picked for their recent form to fill the absence of injured all rounder Shakib Al Hasan, Shahriar Nafees and Naeem Islam and also dropped Nazimuddin. All-rounder Sohag Gazi, who improved a lot in recent time, is an automatic choice of Mushfiqur Rahim in spinning conditions, particularly in absence of Shakib. Tamim Iqbal is likely to open the innings despite pain in his top hand, though there is doubt about whether it will be Jahurul Islam or Anamul Haque partnering him at the top. It is also a toss-up between playing a second spinner alongside Shohag Gazi or using three seamers. Besides, Bangladesh will play three day-night ODI matches on March 23, 25 and 28 with the first two matches to be played in Hambantota and the 3rd and last one in Pallekele. Bangladesh team will play the only day-night T20 match on March 31, also at Pallekele, before it departs for Dhaka on April 2. Meanwhile, Dhaka Bank came forward to be the title sponsor of the Test series, ODI series and T20 cricket named as Dhaka Bank Test Series 2013; Dhaka Bank ODI Cup and Dhaka Bank T20 starting from March 8, 2013 in Sri Lanka. Deputy Managing Director of Dhaka Bank Emranul Huq, Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim and Sri Lankan Angelo Mathews unveiled the trophy for the Dhaka Bank Test Series 2013 at a function in Sri Lanka Thursday. Bangladesh National Cricket team played a three-day warm up match against Sri Lanka Development Emerging Team that ended in a draw at the Uyanwatte Stadium in Matara on Tuesday. Bangladesh Team (Probable) :Tamim Iqbal, Jahurul Islam/Anamul Haque, M Ashraful, Mushfiqur Rahim (capt & wk), Mahmudullah, Mominul Haque, Nasir Hossain, Sohag Gazi, Elias Sunny/Shahadat Hossain, Abul Hasan and Rubel Hossain.