Even as South Africa conclude their celebrations following their Lord's triumph, a new chapter in Test cricket is set to unfold some 9,000 kilometres away. The 2025-27 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle is poised to begin at the picturesque Galle International Stadium on Tuesday, as Sri Lanka and Bangladesh lock horns in the first of a two-match series. The opening day's play is scheduled to begin at 10:30 AM Bangladesh time, though the pervasive threat of rain could well dictate proceedings over the coming five days.
Both sides arrive in Galle eager to shed their recent Test struggles. Sri Lanka return to red-ball action four months after a disappointing 2-0 home whitewash by Australia, also staged here. Meanwhile, Bangladesh have managed a mere two international victories since the turn of the year, visibly short on confidence and consistency.
For the Tigers, concerns run deep, particularly with their top-order. Following an April Test series split against Zimbabwe, their upper batting line-up remains erratic. Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto has managed just two half-centuries in his last ten Tests, while the seasoned Mushfiqur Rahim has not passed fifty in his last thirteen innings. Though Shadman Islam and Anamul Haque forged a century stand against Zimbabwe, neither has consistently delivered. With no specialist reserve openers, Shanto may even find himself pressed into service at the top of the order should the need arise. Mominul Haque has struggled to convert promising starts, and despite his known issues against the short ball, Mehidy Hasan Miraz remains their leading run-scorer in recent Tests.
Spin, as expected in Galle, will be paramount to Bangladesh's aspirations. Mehidy and Taijul Islam are set to lead the charge, supported by Nayeem Hasan and the uncapped left-arm spinner Hasan Murad. Seamer Ebadot Hossain makes a welcome return to the squad after a two-year hiatus, with Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana providing pace options to complement an attack predominantly selected for the spin-friendly conditions. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, a standout performer against Zimbabwe with a century and five wickets in Chattogram, alongside a ten-wicket haul in Sylhet, has consistently delivered for Bangladesh over the past two years, increasingly embracing the all-rounder's mantle in Shakib Al Hasan's absence. In Sri Lanka, he will undoubtedly shoulder enhanced responsibility with the ball.
Despite fielding a squad featuring six uncapped players, Sri Lanka will view this series as a golden opportunity to regain momentum, particularly against a seemingly equally fragile opposition. This series also marks a significant transition, as Angelo Mathews prepares to bow out of Test cricket after its conclusion, following in the footsteps of Dimuth Karunaratne, who retired after the Australia series earlier this year. Sri Lanka's top order notably faltered in that series, despite having been one of the most productive Test batting units throughout 2024. Kamindu Mendis, a key performer last year, has only crossed fifty once since January. To bolster their ranks, the selectors have introduced four promising uncapped batters: Lahiru Udara, Sonal Dinusha, Pavan Rathnayake, and Pasindu Sooriyabandara, all of whom have impressed in domestic cricket and for Sri Lanka A.
Sri Lanka-Bangladesh Test encounters have historically lacked sustained drama, often seeing one side dominate. However, with both teams in a rebuilding phase and their batting units misfiring in 2024, this particular fixture promises to be a far more competitive affair. Ultimately, as is almost always the case at Galle, the outcome may well hinge on which spin attack proves more resilient and effective.
