Bangladesh face off SL in 1st Test in new WTC cycle

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 tomorrow (Tuesday) at Galle International Cricket Stadium.

The match starts at 10.30 AM (Bangladesh Standard Time) and will be aired live on T Sports.

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, of which three came on overseas ground, including a 2-0 whitewash against Pakistan. The other victory came against the West Indies on Caribbean soil for the first time since 2009. At home ground, Bangladesh had a dismal record but they grabbed a victory against New Zealand.

“We have shown gradual progress in WTC history. We did win just one match in the 2021-2023 cycle, but managed to secure four wins in the last cycle.” Bangladesh Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto told the reporters ahead of leaving the country for Sri Lanka.

“We didn’t do well at home Tests in the previous cycle and won just one match. It’s right that we need to win more at home. But for a change, the away form gives us a massive confidence.”

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 condition.

“We have some good memories in Sri Lanka. We won our 100th Test match there. That will give us some confidence.”

“We have an opportunity to do something special under their conditions. Last time, we finished seventh (in the WTC). So now the target is to be around 4th, 5th, or 6th,” he said.

The victory in their 100th match in Colombo, back in 2017, helped Bangladesh draw the two-match Test series, which remains so far their best result against the Lankans in Test format. Bangladesh, however, lost the rest of the 12 series between the two sides.

The dismal stat might not give any hope, but Shanto brimmed with confidence to turn things around this time.

“We are a more confident unit after winning four Tests in the last WTC cycle. We need that extra confidence against Sri Lanka. If we can play to our full potential, we can start well in this cycle,” Shanto said.

Bangladesh had discomfort in their tent ahead of the first Test as vice-captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz was battling with a fever.

Although head coach Phil Simmons was confident that Miraz would get well soon to take the field in the first test.

Miraz was Bangladesh’s highest run-getter and wicket-taker in the last year, having scored 598 runs along with 41 wickets.

Bangladesh’s intra-squad practice match at home ahead of leaving the country suggested that they could send skipper Shanto as the opening position with Shadman Islam. But neither Shanto nor Simmons confirmed their team combination.

If Shanto opens the innings, Anamul Haque Bijoy might get benched after playing just one game since his Test comeback.

Bangladesh Squad: 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, Syed Khaled Ahmed.

Sri Lanka Squad: 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, Kasun Rajitha.