The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sports Reporter

Banglasesh National Cricket team faces Sri Lanka National Cricket team in the first Test of the Grameenphone Test Series which starts today at 9.30 AM at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

Bangladesh Television will telecast the match live everyday from the stadium. It may be mention that the fourth day's play

of the Test match will not be held on December 29 due to national parliament elections. The fourth day's game will be held on December 30.

Before today's Test match, Bangladesh Cricket team faced Sri Lanka Cricket team in ten Test matches. Sri Lanka won all the Test matches held earlier.

To effectively face the ensuing first Test match, Bangladesh team took part in fullfledged practice session yesterday morning at the stadium while Sri Lanka team practised in the afternoon at the same venue.

Mohammad Ashraful, the skipper of Bangladesh team hopes that his players will show their best performance and shall keep consistency with their recent performance.

He said, the players of Sri Lanka team are habituated in this condition. Thus, it would be tough task to face Sri Lanka.

He said they will play good cricket against Sri Lanka.

On the other hand, captain of the touring Sri Lanka team Mahela Jayawardene did not underestimate Bangladesh team.

He said, their preparation was good and they had a game plan. "If we could perform according to our game plan, we would get our expected result," said the Sri Lanka team captain.

However, the cricket viewers of the country do not rely on optimistic expressions. They want to see positive approach and good play from their side.