Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will kickstart two-match Test series on 17th June at Galle International Stadium
Match Preview:
Beginning on June 17 at the Galle International Stadium, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will play a two-match series to begin the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle. Since the introduction of the global ICC tournament in 2019, which spans a two-year cycle, neither team has performed well. In 2019–21, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh placed seventh and ninth, respectively.
Bangladesh came in ninth place, and Sri Lanka came in fifth in 2021–2023. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka placed sixth and seventh, respectively, in the 2023–25 cycle. For these sides, who have recently struggled in the longest format, the new cycle looks to be essential.
Four months after losing to Australia 2-0 at home in Galle, Sri Lanka is back playing red-ball cricket. Bangladesh, on the other hand, has only won twice internationally since the year began and is obviously lacking confidence. Even though they have six uncapped players in their squad, Sri Lanka will see this as a chance to improve, particularly against a team that is as fragile.
An era is likewise coming to an end with this series. Following in the footsteps of Dimuth Karunaratne, who announced his retirement from Test cricket following the Australia series earlier this year, Angelo Mathews will do the same after this series. Despite having one of the most effective Test batting teams in 2024, Sri Lanka’s top order fell apart in the series.
Only once since January has Kamindu Mendis, one of their constants from the previous year, surpassed fifty. Four uncapped batsmen who have demonstrated promise in domestic cricket and for Sri Lanka A—Lahiru Udara, Sonal Dinusha, Pavan Rathnayake, and Pasindu Sooriyabandara—were called in by the selectors to cover their bases.
The worries are as profound for Bangladesh. Their top order is still inconsistent after they split a Test series against Zimbabwe in April. Mushfiqur Rahim hasn’t reached fifty in his last thirteen innings, and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has only scored two half-centuries in his last ten Test matches.
Despite having a century stand together against Zimbabwe, Shadman Islam and Anamul Haque have not performed well. Shanto might be asked to open if necessary because the team doesn’t have any backup openers.
Despite his problems with the short ball, Mehidy Hasan Miraz continues to be their top run scorer in recent Test matches, and Mominul Haque has had trouble turning beginnings into runs.
Bangladesh and Sri Lanka One team has dominated tests, which have frequently lacked drama. However, this one might be more competitive because both clubs are rebuilding and their batting is struggling in 2024. It can ultimately come down to which spin attack is more resilient, as is always the case in Galle.
Probable Playing XI:
Sri Lanka (likely): 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Lahiru Udara, 3 Dinesh Chandimal, 4 Angelo Mathews, 5 Kamindu Mendis, 6 Dhananjaya de Silva (capt), 7 Kusal Mendis (wk), 8 Tharindu Ratnayake, 9 Prabath Jayasuriya, 10 Akila Dananjaya, 11 Asitha Fernando
Bangladesh (likely): 1 Shadman Islam, 2 Anamul Haque, 3 Mominul Haque, 4 Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), 5 Mushfiqur Rahim, 6 Jaker Ali (wk), 7 Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 8 Nayeem Hasan, 9 Taijul Islam, 10 Hasan Murad, 11 Hasan Mahmud
Pitch and weather report:
In Galle, where both of this year’s Sri Lanka-Australia Test matches were played, spinners ate up wickets. However, within the past nine months, there have also been two first-inning totals of 600 or more. In this Test as well, pitches should be favorable for slow bowling. In Galle, rain is predicted for each of the five days.
Head-to-head record:
Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have met 26 times. With five games ending in draws, Sri Lanka has won 20 times. The Lankans have only been defeated once by Bangladesh. According to ESPNcricinfo, the home team has won 11 of 14 games in Sri Lanka, while Bangladesh has won one and two have tied.
Prediction:
Sri Lanka are favourite to win the 1st Test match of the series.
Where to Watch:
Bangladesh: Toffee and T Sports
Pakistan: Tapmad
India: Fancode app
South Africa: Supersport Cricket
UK: TNT Sports
Sri Lanka: Siyatha TV
Caribbean: Rush
