Dhaka: Bangladesh is determined to continue their good performance on the opponent’s ground as they take on Sri Lanka in the two-match Test series opening game at Galle International Cricket Stadium. The match, starting at 10:30 AM Bangladesh Standard Time, will be aired live on T Sports.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the match marks the start of the fourth World Test Championship (WTC) Cycle (2025-2027). South Africa emerged as champions in the last cycle, in which Bangladesh finished seventh, their best result in WTC history. Sri Lanka finished sixth. Bangladesh won four victories in that cycle, including a 2-0 whitewash against Pakistan on overseas ground. The other victory came against the West Indies on Caribbean soil for the first time since 2009. At home, Bangladesh had a dismal record but managed a victory against New Zealand.
Bangladesh Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto expressed optimism, stating, “We have shown gradual progress in WTC history. We did win just one match in the 2021-20
23 cycle, but managed to secure four wins in the last cycle.” He acknowledged the need for better performances at home but emphasized the confidence gained from their away form.
Referring to Bangladesh’s good memories in Sri Lanka, Shanto believes the Lankan condition will give them some edge since they have quality spinners to exploit the spinning conditions. He recalled Bangladesh’s victory in their 100th Test match in Colombo back in 2017, which helped them draw the two-match Test series. Despite losing the rest of the 12 series against Sri Lanka, Shanto is confident of turning things around this time.
Bangladesh faced an issue ahead of the first Test as vice-captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz battled a fever. However, head coach Phil Simmons was optimistic about Miraz’s recovery in time for the match. Miraz was Bangladesh’s highest run-getter and wicket-taker last year, with 598 runs and 41 wickets.
Bangladesh’s intra-squad practice match at home suggested a possible change in the opening lineup, with Shanto p
otentially opening alongside Shadman Islam. The final team combination remains unconfirmed, but if Shanto opens, Anamul Haque Bijoy might be benched after playing just one game since his Test comeback.
The Bangladesh squad includes Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Shadman Islam, Anamul Haque Bijoy, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Kumer Das, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Vice-Captain), Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Hasan Murad, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana, and Syed Khaled Ahmed. The Sri Lanka squad features Dhananjaya de Silva (C), Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Pasinda Sooriyabandara, Sonal Dinusha, Isitha Wijesundara, Pavan Ratnayake, Tharindu Ratnayake, Akila Dananjaya, Milan Rathnayake, Asitha Fernando, and Kasun Rajitha.