The Tigers have proved a point in the slam-bang one-day cricket. But they are yet to make an impression in the more demanding five-day game. And no doubt Ashraful's men would be up against a Herculean task of avoiding a series whitewash against a team that is almost invincible even against the top-ranked sides in their own den.

There was also hardly anything encouraging for the visitors as far as statistics are concerned against the Lankans, who won all the seven previous Tests quite comfortably.

The match is set for an 11:00 am start with TEN Sports beaming live coverage from the premier venue of the island. However, rain, which has tapered the lone practice match, might play a big part during the course of the match.

Bangladesh played two games at the SSC ground back in 2001-02 and on both occasions they lost badly, mainly because of poor batting. But the new team management have had extensive work in this department to avoid the embarrassment of losing the game inside three days.

The SSC always offers bounce but the Bangladesh think-tank has decided to go with two pacers and two left-arm spinners as they announced a 12-member team leaving out left-arm pacer Syed Rasel, seaming all-rounder Mohammad Sharif and wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim.

Bangladesh however will wait till morning for the fitness of veteran opener Javed Omar, who had suffered from dehydration during the last day of the three-day tour opener, before making a decision on the final eleven.

Left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak has given the chance to play his second Test after a long break following his impressive two-wicket haul against Sri Lanka A in the drawn warm-up game at the Colts Cricket Club ground.

While Bangladesh decided to go with two pacers, the home side preferred a three-pronged pace attack followed by champion off-spinner Muttiah Muralidaran, who holds a staggering record against the Tigers by picking up 50 wickets in six games.

TEAMS
BANGLADESH (from): Mohammad Ashraful (captain), Mashrafe Bin Mortaza (vice-captain), Habibul Bashar, Javed Omar, Shahriar Nafees, Rajin Saleh, Shakib Al Hasan, Khaled Mashud, Shahadat Hossain, Mohammad Rafique, Abdur Razzak and Mehrab Hossain.

SRI LANKA (from): Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Kumar Sangakkara (vice-captain), Michael Vandort, Chamara Silva, Tillekeratne Dilshan, Prasanna Jayawardena, Chaminda Vaas, Farveez Maharoof, Muttiah Muralidaran, Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, Malinga Bandara, Malinda Warnapura and Sujeewa Silva.