Months after Dimuth Karunaratne called it quits from Test cricket, Angelo Mathews is set to follow suit after the first Test against Bangladesh in Galle, beginning Tuesday, June 17. That leaves a significant void in the Sri Lankan batting line-up, and perhaps marks the beginning of a new era with the commencement of the fourth edition of the World Test Championship. Angelo Mathews, who in 2013, became the youngest to lead Sri Lanka in Tests, will now bow out as their third-highest run-scorer in the format.
Angelo Mathews’ 118 appearances is the fourth-most for Sri Lanka in Tests, after Mahela Jayawardene (149), Kumar Sangakkara (134) and Muttiah Muralitharan (132). The impending series will mark the end of an era for Sri Lankan cricket, as Angelo Mathews will retire. In May this year, the 37-year-old all-rounder announced that he will bow out of the format after the 1st Test against Bangladesh.
Sri Lanka (SL) will host Bangladesh (BAN) iTn the first Test at Galle International Stadium on June 17. This Test marks the beginning of new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle 2025-2027. Sri Lanka will be led by Dhananjaya de Silva, with several uncapped players expected to make their Test debut. On the other hand, Bangladesh, under the captaincy of Najmul Hossain Shanto, will be keen to start their journey on a strong note.
SL vs BAN : Head to Head
Between 2001 and 2024, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have clashed in 26 Test matches. While the Lankans have won 20 matches, five were drawn. Notably, Bangladesh won their only Test against Sri Lanka in March 2017. They won the Colombo Test by seven wickets. While the Lankans have an 11-1 lead over Bangladesh at home, they lead 9-0 in Bangladesh.
Speaking of the head to head record between the two teams, Sri Lanka has the complete upperhand over Bangladesh in the Tests with winning 20 matches among the 26 matches played between them.
| Matches Played | 26 |
| Won By Sri Lanka | 20 |
| Won By Bangladesh | 01 |
| Drawn | 05 |
| No Result | 00 |
| First-Ever Fixture | 06 – 08 September, 2001 |
| Most-Recent Fixture | 30 March – 03 April, 2024 |
SL vs BAN : Pitch and Weather Report
The Galle International Stadium pitch is traditionally known to favour spinners while offering significant turn as the game progresses. But, batters who are adept at handling spin could find early plus. The team batting first might enjoy the pitch with the potential for a high-scoring total.
Spinners consumed wickets in Galle where both the Sri Lanka-Australia Tests were played earlier this year. But in between that there have also been two 600-plus first-innings totals over the last nine months. Pitches are likely to be conducive to slow bowling in this Test too. There’s rain forecast on all five days in Galle
As per ESPNcricinfo, the Galle pitch is known for being spin-friendly, having witnessed spinners take 373 wickets since the start of 2020. The pitch for the impending Test will also assist spinners and slow bowlers. Notably, the weather forecast has predicted rain on all five days of the Test. There are 80% chances of rain during the game in Galle with a maximum temperature of 31°C and a minimum of 28°C.
SL vs BAN : Big Picture : Spin heavy wicket and Angelo Mathews farewell the most talked point
Even before South Africa could fire up the final celebratory braai after their triumph at Lord’s, the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle for 2025-27 is set to begin some 9,000 km away in Galle. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, both looking to snap out of extended Test slumps, will kick off the new cycle, however, the looming threat of rain could dictate terms over the next five days.
Sri Lanka return to red-ball cricket four months after a 2-0 home defeat to Australia, also in Galle. Bangladesh, meanwhile, have managed just two international wins since the start of the year and are visibly short on confidence. Despite fielding a squad with six uncapped players, Sri Lanka will believe this is an opportunity to get back on track, especially against a side that’s just as brittle.
This series also marks the end of an era. Angelo Mathews will retire from Test cricket after this series, following in the footsteps of Dimuth Karunaratne, who bowed out after the Australia series earlier this year. Sri Lanka’s top order collapsed in that series, despite being one of the most productive Test batting units in 2024.
The key to Angelo Mathews’ success in Test cricket has been his brilliance across conditions and parameters. In 66 home Tests, Angelo Mathews scored 4323 runs at 45.03 with seven hundreds. Angelo Mathews first Test appearance in a SENA country came against South Africa in Centurion in December 2011. Since then, 16 subcontinent batters have aggregated at least 1000 runs in South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia combined. Among those, Angelo Mathews average of 37.79 is bettered only by Virat Kohli (3781 runs at 41.54).
Kamindu Mendis, one of their mainstays last year, has crossed fifty just once since January. To cover their bases, the selectors have brought in four uncapped batters – Lahiru Udara, Sonal Dinusha, Pavan Rathnayake, and Pasindu Sooriyabandara – all of whom have shown promise in domestic cricket and for Sri Lanka A.
In the spin department, Tharindu Rathnayake, the ambidextrous spinner with 337 first-class wickets, has earned a call-up, as has Akila Dananjaya, who could feature in a Test for the first time since 2019. Their main task will be to support Prabath Jayasuriya, who has carried Sri Lanka’s spin attack almost single-handedly in the past year. The fast-bowling department looks steadier, with allrounder Isitha Wijesundara and Kasun Rajitha in the running to make the XI.
For Bangladesh, the concerns run just as deep. After splitting a Test series against Zimbabwe in April, their top-order remains erratic. Najmul Hossain Shanto has just two half-centuries in his last ten Tests, while Mushfiqur Rahim hasn’t passed fifty in his last 13 innings.
Though Shadman Islam and Anamul Haque shared a century stand against Zimbabwe, neither has delivered consistently. With no reserve openers in the squad, Shanto may be pushed to open if needed. Mominul Haque has struggled to convert starts, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz – despite his issues with the short ball – remains their leading run-scorer in recent Tests.
Spin will be central to Bangladesh’s hopes in Galle, with Mehidy and Taijul Islam leading the charge. They’re backed up by Nayeem Hasan and uncapped left-arm spinner Hasan Murad. Ebadot Hossain returns to the squad for the first time in two years, while Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana offer pace options to complement an attack picked for the spin-friendly conditions.
Sri Lanka-Bangladesh Tests have often lacked drama, with one side dominating. But with both teams rebuilding and their batting misfiring in 2024, this one might be more competitive. In the end, as always in Galle, it may just come down to which spin attack holds up better.
SL vs BAN : Players in the spotlight : Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews and Mehidy Hasan Miraz
Dinesh Chandimal was excellent in 2024. He hit two fifties against Australia in February, followed by solid returns in domestic first-class cricket and a brief PSL stint last month. Batting at his new position at No. 3, Chandimal remains a key threat. He averages 67.06 in 12 Tests against Bangladesh, with five centuries.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz was Bangladesh’s standout performer in the Zimbabwe series, scoring a century and taking five wickets in their Chattogram win, after a ten-wicket haul in the Sylhet Test. One of Bangladesh’s few consistent players over the past two years, he has grown into the allrounder’s role in Shakib Al Hasan’s absence. In Sri Lanka, he’ll shoulder added responsibility with the ball in spin-friendly conditions.
SL vs BAN : Vital Stats that matters
- Bangladesh have now played 21 successive Tests without a draw, equaling their longest run from 2001 to 2004. Their last drawn Test in this cycle was against Sri Lanka three years ago.
- Galle’s reputation for being a spin haven can be expressed in numbers too. Spinners have taken 373 wickets at Galle, the most at any venue since 2020. A wicket falls to spinners roughly once every ten overs at this venue.
- Awaiting their Test debuts, Tharindu Ratnayake has 337 first-class wickets while Lahiru Udara has 16 centuries in first-class cricket.
- Bangladesh have featured in 21 back-to-back Tests without a draw (since 2022).They have equaled their longest such streak, also between 2001 to 2004.
- Â SL’s Chandimal has scored 1,006 runs from 12 Tests against Bangladesh at an incredible average of 67.06.
SL vs BAN : Team news for SL and BAN
Sri Lanka :Â
Sri Lanka have to make four changes from the side that played against Australia in February. Karunaratne has retired, Lahiru Kumara is injured while they have dropped Ramesh Mendis and Nishan Peiris. There could be a debut for Udara, while Tharindu and Dananjaya could form a three-man spin attack with Jayasuriya. Sri Lanka will likely introduce ambidextrous spinner Tharindu Rathnayake. He could partner Akila Dananjaya and Prabath Jayasuriya in the three-man spin attack. Asitha Fernando is likely to be SL’s lone fast bowler.
SL Probable Playing XI :Pathum Nissanka, Pavan Rathnayake, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (C), Dinesh Chandimal (WK), Kusal Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Kasun Rajitha, Asitha Fernando, Akila Dananjaya
Bangladesh :Â
Bangladesh are unlikely to fiddle with their top and middle order positions. They could tinker with their bowling attack by including three spinners, which will leave them with just the one pace bowling option. There’s a slight concern around Mehidy, though, since he was reported to have a fever. Bangladesh may stick with their batting order but bolster their spin-bowling led by Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam.They have the presence of experienced batters Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto, and Mushfiqur Rahim.
BAN Probable Playing XI : Shadman Islam, Litton Das, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Jaker Ali (WK), Mehidy Hasan Miraz(C), Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Nahid Rana, Khaled Ahmed
SL vs BAN Fantasy XI : Pathum Nissanka, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva,Prabath Jayasuriya,Akila Dananjaya,Litton Das, Mominul Haque,Mushfiqur Rahim,Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam
SL vs BAN : Key battles
Dinesh Chandimal vs Hasan Mahmud
Dinesh Chandimal, one of the most experienced batters in Sri Lanka’s batting lineup, will have to take the responsibility to guide the team towards a strong total in the first match against Bangladesh. Chandimal will be up against Hasan Mahmud, who is taking rapid strides in international cricket and will look to put on a strong performance.
Kamindu Mendis vs Mehidy Hasan Miraz
Left-handed batter Kamindu Mendis has become a dependable batter for Sri Lanka in a short period with his performances and will look to keep up the good work against Bangladesh as well.
Kamindu will face the challenge of experienced Bangladeshi bowler Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who is one of the senior bowlers of the team, along with Taijul Islam, in the absence of Shakib Al Hasan.
Najmul Hossain Shanto vs Prabath Jayasuriya
Bangladesh’s Test skipper Najmul Hossain Shant would like to lead from the front in the first match against Sri Lanka and will go head-to-head against Prabath Jayasuriya. Prabath Jayasuriya has a wonderful record in Test cricket, especially at Galle, and will hope to get the better of Shanto.
Litton Das vs Akila Dhananjaya
Litton Das, who has been under the scanner for his form in the longest format of the game, would be itching to deliver a match-winning performance like he did against Pakistan last year. Litton will have to tackle the right-arm off-break bowling of Akila Dhananjaya, who has been in and out of the team for quite a while.
SL vs BAN : Match Prediction
Sri Lanka would like to continue their domination over Bangladesh in the longest format of the game, having won 20 of the 26 games played between the two teams. As far as Bangladesh is concerned, the Mehidy Hasan Miraz-led side would hope to register their second win over Sri Lanka in the upcoming match.
| Scenario | Toss Winner | Decision | First Innings Score | Predicted Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scenario 1 | Sri Lanka | Batting | 370-380 | Sri Lanka |
| Scenario 2 | Bangladesh | Batting | 350-360 | Sri Lanka |
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