Sri Lanka coach Chris Silverwood is hoping to give fans back home in the crisis-hit island nation reason for cheer with a win over Bangladesh in the second and final Test beginning Monday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The first Test in Chittagong ended in a draw, and the visitors are aiming to win the second -- and the series -- in Dhaka to send some good news to Sri Lanka, which is suffering from its worst economic downturn since independence in 1948.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"The players are very focused. They know we have a tough task in front of us," Silverwood told reporters on Sunday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"It will be great if we can win. It will bring a smile to the people back home."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sri Lanka have won all of the three Tests they have played at Dhaka's Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, including a 215-run thrashing of Bangladesh during their last visit in 2018.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
They will go into the second Test on the back of a strong showing in Chittagong, where pace bowlers took seven of Sri Lanka's nine wickets.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Kasun Rajitha -- playing as a concussion substitute for Vishwa Fernando -- led the way with 4-60 while Asitha Fernando claimed 3-72.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I thought Kasun and Asitha were excellent," Silverwood said, praising their "heart and fight" on a flat wicket.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Bangladesh captain Mominul Haque was also optimistic about his side's chances despite injuries ripping through their bowling attack.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"This is going to be a good chance for us. This is another occasion to clinch the series," he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The hosts will be without Nayeem Hasan and Shoriful Islam, while pace bowler Taskin Ahmed and spinner Mehidy Hasan are injured.<\/p>\r\n\r\n