logo
POST TIME: 8 February, 2018 00:00 00 AM
SL’s main goal to play ‘competitive cricket’
The visitors look to execute their game plan
Sports Reporter

SL’s main goal to play ‘competitive cricket’

Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal speaks to journalists at media block yesterday ahead of second Test match with Bangladesh at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium from today. BCB photo

Sri Lanka Test captain Dinesh Chandimal said on Wednesday that they have devised some plans for the next game if they could apply that properly against their opposition, the result will then come in their way.

But Chandimal also admitted that it’ll not be easier for them to vanquish the home side as they are stronger at their home turf.

“They’re really good especially in their home soil. They’ve been performing well here for the last few years. We never underestimated them. Actually, they’re playing really good cricket,” said Dinesh Chandimal, who played so far 45 Tests for the Islanders and scored 3383 with the best figures of 164.

“It’s true that we’ve more experienced players in our Test side compared to ODI side,” Chandimal told one day before the second and last Test of the two-Test series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.

“It’s still challenging to us but we’ve some game plans according to the conditions and their players. Now we need to execute that well,” he added.

The right-handed batsman tipped the wicket in Chittagong a nightmare for the bowlers as they finally missed to avert the win despite posting a good total on the board. Later he said that they want to get down against the Tigers in Mirpur Test with the positive what they got from the opening Test.

“It’s a really good pitch for the batters but not for the bowlers. Actually it’s a nightmare for the bowlers,” the 28-year-old said.

 “When you look at this pitch, definitely there will be a result. The pitch looks dry. Spinners will definitely come into play. It is challenging for both teams. It won’t be like Chittagong,” he also said.

“I don’t see that much of a difference in the wicket. It looks similar,” he added.

Chandimal regretted for their prediction and said, “Before the game started in Chittagong, we thought it would turn after third day.”

When asked about Mominul Haque, the experienced Chandimal depicts him as outstanding batsman for Bangladesh and said that there will have a specific plan for him so he could not be stood tall against them in second Test.

“He played outstandingly in Chittagong. He has been good in Test cricket. He has a good temperament. It’s not an easy thing to score two centuries in both innings. It’s always special. We’ve something up our sleeve against him in this game. I hope the bowlers execute it in the middle,” he told.

Citing Lakshan Sandakan as their wicket-taking bowler, the captain said that he could not bowl up to the mark what Rangana Herath and Dilruwan Perera did for us.

“Sandakan is our wicket-taking bowler. If it’s a good pitch, Rangana and Dilruwan can do a holding job. Sandakan can’t do that holding job,” he said, adding: “I’ll bring him to take wickets, which is his role. We know that the Bangladesh batsmen didn’t play him really well.”

Beating Sri Lanka at their den, Bangladesh won their historic 100th Test in 2017. This time they will take their revenge against the Tigers. When asked about it, the Test captain said, “We don’t want to take revenge against any team. We need to play competitive cricket, which is our main goal. When you play good cricket, result will come in your way.”