Mashrafe sizes up Lankan attack

MASHRAFE BIN MORTAZA

Out of the nine bowling attacks in Test cricket, it is the Sri Lankan ensemble that really tests the quality of the batsmen's technique.
There is the champion offspinner Muttiah Murali-daran who has the wily left-arm paceman Chaminda Vaas for assistance. Vaas shares the new ball with the likes of the accurate Farveez Maharoof, the muscular Dilhara Fernando or the deceptively quick Dhammika Prasad, who troubled the Indian batsmen last August. This is usually enough but Sri Lanka also boasts the slinger Lasith Malinga and the mysterious Ajantha Mendis, but the duo is not currently travelling to Bangladesh to play the Test series.
Mendis, who is replaced by Rangana Herath for the series, has created stirred up the world of cricket and his absence from the Test side for at least the first Test has made the Bangladesh pace spearhead Mashrafe Bin Mortaza think more intently about the visitors' attack.
"Even without (Ajantha) Mendis, the Sri Lankan bowling attack is powerful. Actually they have variety," said the Tigers vice-captain.
"Mendis is definitely a top-class bowler and probably they would play an extra paceman in his place. Maybe Mendis's absence will give us some comfort but whoever will play in his place is definitely of good quality," added Mashrafe.
For the Narail Express however it is always Muralidaran who poses the most threat. The man from Kandy so far has taken a staggering 76 wickets from just nine outings against the Tigers and it is the batsmen's duty to tackle the most successful bowler in the world.
"We have to handle Murali because he's the reason of our biggest concern. Our batsmen are working on that," said Mashrafe, who himself got out four times to Muralidaran.
But for all the challenges ahead the Tigers must find inspiration to succeed and Mashrafe mentioned the impressive series against New Zealand at home as the place to look back.
"We don't want to go too far back but we are seeking inspiration from the New Zealand series.
"We had a poor outing in South Africa (last month) but we are hopeful of doing well against Sri Lanka at home," said Mashrafe.
That series against New Zealand saw the emergence of Shakib Al Hasan as the leading spinner in the team and with Abdur Razzak gone, the onus will surely be on the left-armer from Magura.
"Shakib has been bowling well since the World Cup (in 2007). Although I have never played him but I can see that he varies his pace very well and relies very much on his accuracy," observed Mashrafe who added, "Just like Rafique bhai (Mohammad Rafique), he can bowl accurately for 30-35 overs and I think that is what gives him the success."
But Mashrafe will miss his best mate Abdur Razzak, who was been suspended by the International Cricket Council for a suspect action.
"Razzak is one of our best bowlers and we will surely miss his presence," said the fast bowler.
"He is working on his action right now and I hope he comes back. But right now we should think about those who are in the squad," added Mashrafe.