Bangladesh and Sri Lanka Set for Decisive Test Match Showdown
Upcoming Test Match Details
Bangladesh is gearing up to face Sri Lanka in the concluding Test of their two-match series. This pivotal match is scheduled to take place at the Sinhalese Sports Club from June 25 to June 29, 2025, starting at 10:00 AM IST.
Sri Lanka's Performance Overview
Sri Lanka entered this home Test series against Bangladesh with high expectations, especially after narrowly missing out on the World Test Championship cycle last season. However, their first encounter with Bangladesh ended in a draw, characterized by a flurry of runs. While the batting lineup showed promise, the bowling attack struggled during the last Test in Galle. Pathum Nissanka's impressive 187 runs in the first innings stood out, and Tharindu Rathnayake's six wickets were notable contributions. Additionally, the veteran Angelo Matthews played his final Test match against Bangladesh in the first game.
Bangladesh's Confidence Boost
Entering the series with diminished confidence, Bangladesh's performance in the first Test has likely revitalized their spirits ahead of the second match. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto scored centuries in both innings, while Mushfiqur Rahman achieved his 12th Test century. With the first match concluding in a draw, Bangladesh aims to clinch the series with a victory in the upcoming Test.
Pitch Conditions for the Second Test
The Sinhalese Sports Club, often referred to as the 'Lord's of Sri Lanka', is known for its batting-friendly pitch. As the match progresses, spinners are expected to find some assistance from the surface. Batters adept at playing spin are likely to excel here, with the average first-innings score in Tests at this venue being 349. Typically, scores tend to decline as the match advances, making fourth-innings chases challenging.
Weather Forecast for the Match
The weather forecast indicates a 89% chance of rain during the first three days of the Test between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, with temperatures expected to range from 26 to 32 degrees Celsius.
Head-to-Head Statistics
| SL vs BAN head-to-head (in Tests) | |
| Matches Played | 27 |
| Sri Lanka Wins | 20 |
| Bangladesh Wins | 1 |
| No Result | 0 |
| Drawn | 6 |
Probable Playing XI
- Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (c), Kusal Mendis (wk), Tharindu Ratnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando
- Bangladesh: Shadman Islam, Anamul Haque, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Nayeem Hasan, Taijul Islam, Nahid Rana, Jaker Ali, Hasan Mahmud
Key Players to Watch
Top Wicketkeeper Picks
- Kusal Mendis | SL: With 259 runs in just five innings at an average of 51.8, Kusal Mendis is in excellent form and a player to consider for this Test.
- Litton Das | BAN: After a six-month absence, Litton Das returned to the Test squad with a stellar 90-run performance in the first Test. He has accumulated 2880 runs in 49 Tests, making him a key player to watch.
Top Batters to Consider
- Pathum Nissanka | SL: The 27-year-old scored 187 runs in the first match and is looking to continue his impressive form.
- Mushfiqur Rahman | BAN: Known for his prowess against Sri Lanka, Rahman has scored 901 runs in 16 innings at an average of 69.3 in Sri Lanka, making him a valuable asset.
- Najmul Hossain Shanto | BAN: The Bangladesh captain has over 2100 Test runs and scored centuries in both innings of the first match, aiming to replicate that success.
Top All-Rounder Selections
- Kamindu Mendis | SL: In 13 Tests, he has five centuries and five half-centuries, along with three wickets. He scored 87 runs in the first Test and is a player to keep an eye on.
- Nayeem Hasan | BAN: With 205 runs and 45 wickets in 13 Tests, Nayeem is establishing himself in the format, having taken six wickets in the first Test.
Top Bowlers to Watch
- Asitha Fernando | SL: With 76 wickets in 24 Tests, he took four wickets in the first innings against Bangladesh and aims to maintain that performance.
- Taijul Islam | BAN: The left-arm spinner has 232 wickets in 54 Tests and took four wickets in the first Test, looking to excel in the final match of the series.