Top two should give Bangladesh a solid batting base

Second Test
4.30am Wednesday

Bangladesh play their 100th Test match and the Tigers are 6-1 to mark the occasion with a victory over Sri Lanka at Colombo’s P Sara Oval.

A final-day collapse against the spin of Rangana Herath condemned Bangladesh to defeat in the first Test in Galle but they will have been pleased with the efforts of their opening pair.

Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar put on 118 in the first innings – a stand that was ended only by the careless run-out of Tamim – and 67 in the second dig so the 6-5 that Bangladesh post a higher first-innings opening partnership than Sri Lanka is worth a bet.

The Lankans are still searching for a reliable top two and their first wicket has fallen with fewer than 20 runs on the board in 13 of their last 18 Test innings.

Recommendation
Bangladesh to have higher opening partnership
1pt 6-5 Betfred