Batters averaged 44.88 in this Test, with three centuries and six fifties. Whenever there was a cluster of wickets, both sides managed to string partnerships to get them out of trouble. These recoveries happened on the first, second and fifth day for Sri Lanka, and on the fourth afternoon for Bangladesh. Despite Nayeem Hasan’s six-wicket haul and four-fors from Taijul Islam and Kasun Rajitha, it was a bowler’s nightmare.

Is it just coincidence that almost every time Bangladesh come to Chattogram, their batters are in dire need of runs, and the pitch is obligingly flat? Four years ago, these same two sides played out a dull, high-scoring draw at this very stadium.

“Playing on different pitches and conditions is a mental adjustment,” Mominul said. “We play in Dhaka and Chattogram all year long, so we all know how to play pace and spin in the two venues. The spinning ball comes a bit slow here, but in Dhaka the same type of ball will come quicker, whether it will turn in or go away. We can set it in training, so I think it is a matter of mentality.”

The Shere Bangla National Stadium is going to be a test for the batters, but Mominul is confident that having batted well as a team, they can definitely carry their form. He was, however, slightly worried about the fast bowlers not doing well enough.

“Everyone looked good to score runs and take wickets. We played as a team, and I have often said that we do well when we play well as a team. It gives us good results.

“Pace bowlers have gained acceptability recently so they could have bowled better in the first innings. I think the spinners did well on a pitch where it is difficult to take wickets. Shakib bhai had a very important role. They had raised their tempo in the first innings, but Shakib bhai reined them in. It happened in the second innings too,” Mominul said.

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, would be happy with how their fast bowlers put Bangladesh under pressure, despite the injury to Vishwa Fernnado. But de Silva is pretty sure what’s going to happen to them in Dhaka.

“Definitely one pacer and three spinners [in the XI],” he said. “The wicket will be helpful to the spinners. If we are batting first, we will try to get 275-300, and then get them out for less than 150 in one innings. It will give us a chance to win.”

Not many would argue with that assessment. The BCB have so far remained tight-lipped about the type of pitch in Dhaka but it is anybody’s guess what curator Gamini Silva dishes out.