Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz said Monday that his maiden five-wicket haul on return to Test cricket was a "dream" performance he aimed to repeat.

Red hot Dinesh Chandimal struck his second successive half-century to take Sri Lanka's lead past 300 and thwart the Pakistan attack on day three of the opening Test on Monday.

Azam made a defiant 119 to thwart a Sri Lankan spin attack led by Prabath Jayasuriya on day two of an evenly poised first Test on Sunday.

Skipper Babar Azam made a defiant 119 before Pakistan were bowled out for 218 on day two of the first Test against Sri Lanka on Sunday.

Although pace bowlers usually struggle to put on a positive spin when toiling on the subcontinent, Bangladesh's latest fast-bowling sensation is so far an exception to the rule.

Bangladesh have not won a single match in their previous visits to New Zealand. So, ahead of their latest bout against the Black Caps that starts with the Boxing Day ODI at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Monday, questions were asked about whether the Tigers could end the long-standing jinx this time around.

Bangladesh's bowling department has been significantly boosted for their tour of New Zealand. Talented left arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman has been included in the 15-strong squad, who start the limited-overs leg of their tour with the first ODI at Christchurch on Boxing Day.

Eoin Morgan returns to captain England in both the One Day International and Twenty20 series with India after opting out of the Bangladesh part of the tour over security fears.

Chris Woakes battled his way through to a vital 46 on the second afternoon in Mirpur to give England a priceless first-innings lead. However, he might have been dismissed half an hour before his eventual departure, after being given a controversial reprieve off a waist-high full toss.

Having lost out on a closely contested ODI series against England, Bangladesh will look to avenge their defeat when both teams clash in first Test of the two match series on Thursday at Chittagong.

The dearth of domestic longer-version cricket and Test matches is taking its toll on the national cricketers of Bangladesh as Tigers allrounder Shakib Al Hasan can hardly recall the last time he represented his country in the longer version of the game.

Miracles can happen. But the harsh reality is real and it's totally and completely under someone's control. Bangladesh head coach

England captain Alastair Cook will link with up with the England squad in Bangladesh on Monday after attending the birth of his second child.

Steven Finn, the England pacer, takes stock of the trying conditions in Bangladesh, after sweating it out and bowling 16 overs across the two tour games against the hosts in Chittagong.

The move from ODI cricket to Test cricket is a jarring one if just the technical and mental adjustments required are considered. It is all the more jarring when that move is made by a team that last collectively stepped out in whites around 15 months ago and one that has won only seven out of 93 matches since their elevation to the highest level.

With the one-day series done, both Bangladesh and England are now preparing for the two-match Test series, which is scheduled to begin at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong from October 20 onwards.

Ace allrounder Shakib Al Hasan is their poster boy, but there is more than just him to trouble England in the upcoming ODI series in Bangladesh. It won't be an easy task for Jos Buttler's men, with Bangladesh winning their last six ODI series on home soil, beating the likes of India, South Africa and Pakistan,

Jason Roy is striving for perfection as he looks to continue England's recent momentum in the one-day arena.

Former England captain Nasser Hussain says his country will face a stern test against a "much improved" Bangladesh on their upcoming tour.

Shakib Al Hasan, the role model of Bangladesh cricket lovers and the country's global ambassador has a long and fruitful road of cricket in front of him to walk with his head held high.