Kusal Mendis and Angelo Mathews stitched an unbroken third-wicket stand of 92 runs as Sri Lanka went from 73 for two to 158 for two in the post-lunch session of the first Test against Bangladesh in Chattogram on Sunday.

Sri Lanka lost both their openers after electing to bat first on the first morning of the Chattogram Test, thanks to a brace from off-spinner Nayeem Hasan, as the visitors reached 73 for two in 24 overs at Lunch. 

Sri Lanka have won the toss and elected to bat in the first Test against Bangladesh at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on Sunday. 

Bangladesh will be desperate to start the process of transforming themselves into a proper Test unit when they face Sri Lanka in the first match of the two-Test series at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram today.   

Troubles had escalated at home but Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne appeared fully aware of the challenges at hand, a day before his side take on Bangladesh in the first Test in Chattogram today.

Shakib Al Hasan and a few others raised a hand in the air directed towards the sky during the practice session yesterday, pointing out the rain clouds but by then the cloud of Shakib’s unavailability had left the side.

Sri Lankan captain Dimuth Karunaratne said his team was not fazed by the return of Bangladesh's star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan ahead of the first Test starting Sunday in Chittagong.

There was not much under his belt from where Bangladesh Test captain Mominul Haque could take inspiration ahead of the first of the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, starting from tomorrow at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram.

Ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan will be playing the first Test against Sri Lanka, beginning from tomorrow in Chattogram, confirmed Bangladesh Test skipper Mominul Haque during the pre-match press conference today. 

Two Bangladesh batters – Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim – are on the verge of reaching the five thousand-run milestone in Test cricket as the Tigers take on Sri Lanka in a two-match Test series, with the first Test slated to begin in Chattogram from tomorrow.

Sri Lanka's cricketers are hoping to distract their fans from political turmoil back home when they take on Bangladesh in a two-Test series starting this weekend.

Ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan tested negative for Covid-19 and will join the side this evening at Chattogram. After a medical checkup, the BCB’s medical team can clarify whether the all-rounder can now play the first Test after he was initially ruled out of the first Test upon testing positive for the virus following his return from USA on Tuesday.

Premier all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has tested Negative for covid on Friday morning.

Mustafizur Rahman has dominated discussion ahead of the Sri Lanka Tests despite having revealed that he was not keen on playing Tests in order to manage his workload. Plenty has been said with BCB president and team director Khaled Mahmud weighing in about where they stand regarding Fizz’s decision.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan said today that it is the team’s bad luck that they miss the service of Shakib Al Hasan when required most.

The scenic and tranquil backdrop of the BKSP did not provide the much-needed time in the middle in Bangladeshi conditions that the Sri Lankans had sought on the first day of their two-day practice match against Bangladesh XI yesterday.

Bangladesh batting coach Jamie Siddons urged the media to back experienced Mushfiqur Rahim, who has been going through a lean patch with the bat in recent times.

Shakib’s chances of featuring in the first Test against Sri Lanka, starting from May 15, will depend on his recovery and fitness.

As Dhaka experienced heavy rain during midday, the first day of the two-day practice match between BCB XI and Sri Lanka had to be called off at BKSP today.

Sri Lanka’s assistant coach Naveed Nawaz said his team wants to bring good tidings from Bangladesh to his country, which is going through severe economic and political crisis.