Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka Test Series 2018 – Let’s talk Numbers

After a victorious tri nation series, the Lions, revived will be taking on hosts Bangladesh in a 2 match Test series, starting this week in Chittagong. Let’s take a closer look at the Test numbers between these two sides.

Since 2001

The inaugural Test between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh was played in 2001 at SSC, Colombo, as a part of the Asian Test Championship 2001/02. Although the hosts comfortably won the Test by an innings and 137 runs, the game was best remembered for youngster Mohammad Ashraful becoming the youngest ever player in history to score a Test century. Batting first, Bangladesh were bundled out for a paltry 90 runs. Only three batsmen reached double figures while Muttiah Muralitharan claimed 5 for 13 runs. In reply, Sri Lanka amassed 555/5 (in 103.3 overs, a staggering run rate of 5.36 runs per over) at declaration with Marvan Atapattu scoring an elegant 201. Mahela Jayawardene played the second fiddle, scoring a blistering 150 in 115 balls while skipper Sanath Jayasuriya made 89 off 56 deliveries. With a mountain to climb, however, in the second essay, the tourists were reluctant to surrender. Debutant Mohammad Ashraful stepped up to take charge against the daunting bowling attack. He grappled his way through to a valiant century (114) to become the youngest ever centurion in Test history at 17 years and 61 days. Bangladesh eventually were all out for 328, conceding a massive innings and 137 run win to Sri Lanka.

The first win for Bangladesh against Sri Lanka came just last year, at the P. Sara in Colombo, when they beat the hosts by 4 wickets.

Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka Head to Head Test tally –

• Played – 18
• Bangladesh – 1
• Sri Lanka – 15
• Drawn – 2

Recap of the last decade

Sri Lanka in Bangladesh

Sri Lanka first played a Test match in Bangladesh in 2006 at Chittagong where they won by 8 wickets. Bangladesh are yet to beat Sri Lanka on their home soil.

Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka Head to Head Test Record in Bangladesh –

• Played – 6
• Bangladesh – 0
• Sri Lanka – 5
• Drawn – 1

Chittagong

Incidentally, the game between the two sides at Chittagong in 2006 was the first ever Test match played at the The Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. The venue has hosted 3 Tests between the two sides, where the Sri Lankans have managed to win 2, while one game has ended in a draw.

Mirpur, Dhaka

The Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur has hosted two games between the two sides in 2008 and 2014, with Sri Lanka winning both.

Team Records

• Highest total –730/6 dec. (Sri Lanka at Dhaka, 2014)
• Highest total (for Ban) – 638 all out (Galle, 2013)
• Lowest team total – 62 all out (Bangladesh at P.Sara, 2007)
• Lowest team total (for SL) – 293 all out (Dhaka, 2008)

Batting Records

• Most runs – Kumar Sangakkara (1816 runs in 21 innings) (Avg. 95.57)
• Most runs (for Ban) – Mohammad Ashraful (1090 runs in 26 innings) (Avg. 45.41)
• Most runs in Bangladesh – Kumar Sangakkara (783 runs in 10 innings) (Avg. 78.30)
• Most runs in Bangladesh (for Ban) – Shakib Al Hasan (341 runs in 8 innings) (Avg. 48.71)
• Highest individual score – Kumar Sangakkara (319 at Chittagong, 2014)
• Highest individual score (for Ban) – Mushfiqur Rahim (200 at Galle, 2013)
• Highest individual score in Bangladesh (for Ban) – Mohammad Ashraful (136 at Chittagong, 2006)

Bowling Records

• Most wickets – Muttiah Muralitharan (89 wickets in 22 innings) (Avg. 13.37)
• Most wickets (for Ban) – Shakib Al Hasan (29 wickets in 12 innings) (Avg. 41.17)
• Most wickets in Bangladesh – Muttiah Muralitharan (29 wickets in 8 innings) (Avg. 19.44)
• Most wickets in Bangladesh (for Ban) – Shakib Al Hasan (20 wickets in 7 innings) (Avg. 38.95)
• Best bowling – Rangana Herath (7 for 89 at RPS, 2013)
• Best bowling (for Ban) – Shakib Al Hasan (5 for 70 at Dhaka, 2008)