THE HOSTS MOVE FORWARD

                 

Image Credit – ESPN Cricinfo.

Venue: Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground, Colombo [June 25-29, 2025].

In the summer of 2025, the Bangladesh cricket team toured Sri Lanka to play a couple of test matches along with 3 ODIs and 3 T20 internationals. The test series marked the beginning of the new WTC cycle, so both the teams were eager to start their campaign on a high. The first test in Galle was a run-fest, as both teams piled up a lot of runs. Najmul Shanto became the first Bangladeshi captain who scored a hundred in both innings of the match. Apart from him, Mushfiqur Rahim and Pathum Nissanka also scored wonderful tons as the bowlers struggled for most of the part of the game. The match eventually ended in a draw, and the teams now reached Colombo for the final test. Regrettably, after the first test, the Sri Lankan legend Angelo Mathews announced retirement from Test cricket, which did create a void. After all, Mathews has been a legend for the Lankan Lions. An all-rounder who won't be easy to replace.

In a must-win game, the Bangladeshi captain won the toss and elected to bat first. The pitch and conditions looked perfect to bat. However, the Lankan bowlers kept on chipping wickets at regular intervals, which meant that the visitors struggled to reach a competitive total. Mind you, most of the Bangladeshi batsmen got a start but failed to capitalize upon the same.

In response the Lankans ended up scoring 458 in their first innings, with Pathum Nissanka scoring yet another magnificent hundred. In an innings which lasted more than 6 hours, Nissanka scored a brilliant 158 of 254 deliveries as the hosts managed to secure a first innings lead of 201 runs. Apart from Nissanka, Chandimal and Kusal Mendis also scored brilliant half-centuries as visitors struggled for wickets.

The Bangladeshis in the second innings had a mountain to climb. They were required to deliver their best of performance. Unfortunately, they saved the worst for last as they bundled out for just 133 runs in 44.2 overs. Prabath Jayasurya picked up 5 crucial wickets as the Lankans won the match by an innings and 78 runs.

Pathum Nissanka was awarded both player of the match and the series award as the hosts won the series 1-0 and took a step forward in the race for the WTC Final.