Bangladesh skipper Litton Das says his team's first ever T20 series win in Sri Lanka has been "huge" for his leadership and made the cricket-crazy fans back home happy.

Bangladesh hammered Sri Lanka by eight wickets on Wednesday in Colombo to clinch the three-match series 2-1 and cap off their tour of the island nation on a high.

Chasing a modest 133 for victory, Bangladesh rode on opener Tanzid Hasan's unbeaten 73 to achieve their target with 21 balls to spare at the R. Premadasa Stadium.

Spinner Mahedi Hasan set up victory with figures of 4-11 to restrict Sri Lanka to 132-7 after the hosts elected to bat first.

"It is a proud moment for me as a captain," Litton said.

"I am happy that the fans are also happy seeing us win a T20 series in Sri Lanka."

Litton, who was named Bangladesh T20 skipper until next year's World Cup in India, led the T20 team in the absence of Najmul Hossain Shanto last year in a 3-0 series sweep in the West Indies.

"Both series wins are huge for me," said Litton, who was named player of the series for his 114 runs in the three matches.

"Beating the West Indies in their back yard is massive. They are a strong team in their conditions. It is the same in Sri Lanka. They are a balanced team too."

Sri Lanka, led by Charith Asalanka, won the ODI series 2-1 followed by victory in the opening T20 before they lost two straight matches by big margins.

"We are bitterly disappointed," said Asalanka.

"We probably made a blunder at the toss. When I came on to bowl, I realised that the wicket had improved.

"We need to take responsibility for the way we batted. It can happen in one game but this happening in back-to-back games is a huge concern."

"The World Cup is just seven months away and we can't let these things happen. Credit to Bangladesh.

"They outperformed us. They fielded better than us and their bowlers were more effective than ours. Their batsmen also had clear plans."

Bangladesh bounced back in emphatic fashion to level the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, cruising to an 83-run win in the second encounter at Dambulla on Sunday.

After being outclassed in the opening game at Pallekele, the visitors rang in three changes and produced a performance that ticked all the boxes.

Asked to bat first, they posted a competitive 177 before rolling over the hosts for a paltry 94 – Sri Lanka's lowest T20I total against Bangladesh and their heaviest defeat to the Tigers in the format.

It was also the lowest T20I total ever recorded by Sri Lanka at home.

The hosts, chasing what seemed a gettable target on a decent surface, never got out of the blocks.

The innings unravelled in a flash, lasting just 15.2 overs as wickets tumbled like a house of cards.

The slide began when the in-form Kusal Mendis, guilty of complacency, tapped one to cover and set off for a single without urgency.

Shamim Hossain swooped in and with a rocket arm nailed a direct hit, the turning point that opened the floodgates.

Sri Lanka were reeling at 30 for four inside the Power Play, with the top order back in the hut.

Legspinner Rishad Hossain turned the screws, claiming three wickets to stop a faltering Sri Lankan chase in its tracks.

Only two Sri Lankan batters reached double digits as the middle order folded under pressure and Bangladesh's fielders threw themselves around like men possessed.

LUCKY DAS STANDS TALL

Earlier, Bangladesh had themselves stumbled at the start, losing both openers inside the first two overs.

But skipper Litton Das stood tall, anchoring the innings with his 12th T20I half-century – a classy 76 off 50 balls studded with one four and five sixes.

He rode his luck, surviving twice, on 30 and 56, both off the bowling of Jeffrey Vandersay and made Sri Lanka pay dearly.

Litton found a willing ally in Shamim and together they stitched a brisk 77-run stand for the fifth wicket off just 39 deliveries.

Shamim provided the fireworks, blasting 48 from 27 balls with five boundaries and two towering sixes, giving the innings the momentum it sorely needed.

Sri Lanka's only silver lining was left-arm seamer Binura Fernando, who returned career-best figures of 3 for 31.

Litton was named Player of the Match for his match-defining knock.

A full house watched the game at Dambulla and the teams now move to Colombo for the series decider on Wednesday.

Sri Lanka drew first blood in the three-match T20I series with a comprehensive seven-wicket win over Bangladesh at Pallekele on Thursday, coasting home with an over to spare.

Chasing a modest target of 155, skipper Charith Asalanka fittingly put the seal on the game by launching Tanzim Hasan straight down the ground for six, much to the delight of a holiday crowd that turned up in numbers.

VICTORY! 🎉 We've beaten Bangladesh by 7 wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series!

What a start to the series! Onwards and upwards, boys!👊 #SLvBAN #SriLankaCricket pic.twitter.com/jeBfiOaI7g

— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) July 10, 2025

The foundations for the win were laid early, with openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis cutting loose from the word go.

The pair added a blistering 78 runs in just 28 deliveries, making full use of the powerplay as Sri Lanka raced to 83 for one, their highest ever score in the first six overs of a T20 International, eclipsing the previous best of 75 against India in 2018.

Nissanka set the tone by dispatching the first ball of the innings to the fence, and he never looked back. The right-hander smashed five fours and three sixes in a whirlwind 42 off just 16 balls before perishing, but the damage had been done.

What a start! 🔥 Pathum Nissanka smashed 42 runs off just 16 balls, setting the tone for our chase! #SLvBAN pic.twitter.com/cSFZTDBjYZ

— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) July 10, 2025

Mendis, fresh off a match-winning hundred in the ODI series decider at the same venue, picked up where he left off. His 73 came off 51 deliveries and featured five boundaries and three sixes.

Unstoppable Kusal Mendis! ✨ Another format, another brilliant knock – 73 runs in the opening T20I against Bangladesh! #SLvBAN pic.twitter.com/q8SznzMsDv

— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) July 10, 2025

The wicketkeeper played the anchor role to perfection, ensuring the chase stayed firmly on track without resorting to high-risk strokes.

Kusal Perera added to the fireworks, reverse-sweeping Shamim Hossain into the stands and sharing a brisk 42-run stand with Mendis as Sri Lanka maintained the upper hand throughout.

WHEELS COME OFF

Earlier, Bangladesh flattered to deceive. After being sent into bat, openers Parvez Hossain and Tanzid Hasan gave the visitors a flying start, adding 46 runs off 30 balls.

But once the first wicket fell, the wheels came off with the middle order struggling to shift gears and playing into Sri Lanka’s hands.

Dasun Shanaka, recalled to side after almost a year, marked his return with a tidy spell of four overs for just 22 runs and a wicket, helping choke the flow of runs in the middle overs.

Leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay, drafted in for the injured Wanindu Hasaranga, also made his presence felt with a disciplined four-over spell that cost just 25 runs and included a wicket.

On a flat deck that offered little for the bowlers, Bangladesh’s total of 155 always looked under par.

Despite a few tidy spells, the visitors lacked the firepower to contain a rampant Sri Lankan batting line-up on a flat deck.

The teams now move to Dambulla for the second game of the series on Sunday.

Sri Lanka stormed to a 99-run win over Bangladesh in the third and final ODI at Pallekele on Tuesday, sealing the three-match series 2-1 with a clinical all-round display.

Set a challenging target of 286, Bangladesh faltered under pressure and were bundled out for 186 inside 40 overs as Sri Lanka flexed their bowling muscle to wrap up the contest with ease.

The victory caps a remarkable turnaround for Sri Lanka in the 50-over format since their dismal World Cup campaign in India in 2023, where they finished ninth and failed to qualify for this year's Champions Trophy.

SERIES WINNERS! 📷 Sri Lanka takes the 3rd ODI by a dominant 99 runs, securing the series 2-1 against Bangladesh!
Incredible effort from the whole squad to seal the victory! #SLvBAN #SriLankaCricket pic.twitter.com/JD2BqX35M0

— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) July 8, 2025

Since that debacle, they have won seven of nine ODI series, including notable triumphs over heavyweights Australia and India.

"This is probably one of our best games," Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka said.

"We were under pressure and we wanted to win badly and Kusal Mendis was superb today. When we ended up scoring 285, we knew we had the runs on the board and the bowlers' job became easy."

The architect of the series-deciding win against Bangladesh was indeed Mendis, who silenced his critics with 124 off 114 balls – his sixth ODI hundred.

The wicketkeeper-batter came into the game under fire after his rash dismissal during Sri Lanka's 16-run defeat in the second ODI in Colombo.

But at Pallekele, with the series on the line, Mendis dropped anchor and rebuilt the innings with a mature knock laced with 18 boundaries.

CENTURY ALERT! 💯✌️

Kusal Mendis brings up his 6th ODI ton in style against Bangladesh in the 3rd ODI at Pallekele! Pure class!! 🏏#KusalMendis #SLvBAN #SriLankaCricket pic.twitter.com/VnqMosTwWM

— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) July 8, 2025

'A LOT OF POSITIVES'

Coming in during the fourth over, he put on a vital 124-run stand for the fourth wicket with skipper Asalanka to lay the foundation for a competitive total.

"Very pleased with the knock today. Was disappointed with what happened in Colombo. I had got a start and couldn't finish," said Mendis, who was named man of the match and player of the series.

"Here I was determined to bat through the innings and very satisfied."

At one stage the hosts looked set for a 300-plus total, but Bangladesh clawed back with tight death bowling to restrict them to 285 for seven.

The target proved to be a tall ask once the tourists' top order caved in.

Dushmantha Chameera, returning to the fold in this series after more than a year on the sidelines due to injury, hit the deck hard and was a handful with the new ball.

The right-arm quick rattled the stumps of in-form Najmul Hossain Shanto (0) with a gem that jagged back sharply to kiss the top of off.

With Towhid Hridoy then offering some resistance with a half-century, Chameera returned to breach his defence with another sharp in-swinging delivery that crashed through the gate.

The quick finished with3-51 and was ably supported by Asitha Fernando, who also claimed three wickets.

The two sides will now be involved in a three-match T20I series beginning on Thursday, also at Pallekele.

"We started off well and we tried to bat positive, but the scoreboard pressure got to us," Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz said.

"But we are rebuilding the team and (there are) a lot of young players... we have a lot of positives."

SRI LANKA: Nishan Madushka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (capt), Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando.

BANGLADESH: Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shamim Hossain, Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (capt), Jaker Ali (wk), Tanzim Hasan, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed.

Sri Lanka's cricket board Monday named a 17-member squad led by Charith Asalanka for the three-match T20 series against visiting Bangladesh.

The opening game will be at Pallekele on Thursday with the second at Dambulla on Sunday and the final at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on July 16.

In their ongoing ODI series, Bangladesh held their nerve in a nail-biting finish to clinch a 16-run win over Sri Lanka in the second game at Colombo on Saturday to level the three-match series at 1-1.

The decider will be played at Pallekele on Tuesday.

Sri Lanka won the two-match test series 1-0.

T20 SQUAD: Charith Asalanka (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Avishka Fernando, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamika Karunaratne, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Binura Fernando and Eshan Malinga.

Bangladesh held their nerve in a nail-biting finish to clinch a 16-run win over Sri Lanka in the second ODI at Colombo on Saturday, squaring the three-match series at 1-1.

Chasing 249, Sri Lanka were down in the dumps at 170-8.

A fighting 78 by Janith Liyanage brought the hosts back from the brink and set hearts racing in the packed stands.

Needing 27 off the final three overs, Liyanage lofted the first ball of the 48th over into the stands, reducing the equation to 21 off 20 and sending the Colombo crowd into jubilant mood.

But the joy was short-lived.

Mustafizur Rahman slipped in a clever off-cutter next ball that Liyanage spooned straight back for a return catch.

That proved the turning point, as Bangladesh wrestled back control and closed out a hard-fought win.

If there was one man who turned the tide for the visitors, it was Tanvir Islam.

The left-arm spinner, playing just his second ODI, rebounded from a torrid start to produce career-best figures of 5-39 – a match-winning spell that derailed Sri Lanka's chase.

Tanvir had a rude welcome to the R Premadasa Stadium as Kusal Mendis took him to the cleaners early on.

 'NOTHING TO LOSE' 

His first two overs went for 22 runs, including a 17-run second over where Mendis cut, drove and pulled with disdain.

Mendis brought up his half-century in just 20 balls – the fastest ODI fifty at the venue, surpassing Thisara Perera's 23-ball effort against England in 2014.

But just as Mendis threatened to take the game away, Bangladesh threw the ball back to Tanvir – and were rewarded for their faith.

Mendis danced down the track attempting to whip one on the leg-side, missed it completely, and although the on-field umpire turned down the appeal, the decision was overturned on review.

Sri Lanka, who were 75-2 after 10 overs, went into their shells.

The spinners tightened the screws and wickets fell in quick succession.

Tanvir found excellent support from the off-spin duo of captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Shamim Hossain.

The pair bowled stump-to-stump, extracting just enough grip to force errors from the batters who had painted themselves into a corner.

With every misjudged prod and risky swipe, Sri Lanka dug themselves deeper into trouble.

Bangladesh had loaded their side with three seamers anticipating a pace-friendly surface, but it was the spinners who spun a web around the hosts.

Earlier, a career-best 4-35 by seamer Asitha Fernando helped Sri Lanka bundle out Bangladesh for 248 inside 46 overs.

The 27-year-old right-arm seamer, fresh from an English county stint with Glamorgan, used a mix of short-pitched venom and clever changes of pace to restrict the visitors.

"We are playing at home and we haven't delivered in this game," Sri Lankan skipper Charith Asalanka said.

"We know we have work to do and we will have a chat and try to bounce back in the final game."

The third and final ODI will be played on July 8, followed by three Twenty20 games.

"We are a young side and we have fought so well in the series, and we have nothing to lose", Bangladesh captain Mehidy said.

"We will go and give our best".

SRI LANKA: Charith Asalanka (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Asitha Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera.

BANGLADESH: Mehidy Hasan Miraz (capt), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali (wk), Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan sakib, Hasan Mahmud.

Bangladesh suffered a stunning batting collapse under lights as Sri Lanka snatched a 77-run victory in the first one-day international in Colombo on Wednesday.

Chasing a modest 245, the visitors looked to be cruising at 100 for one, before the wheels came off spectacularly – losing seven wickets for just five runs in the space of 26 balls to be eventually shot out for 167.

First Blood to Sri Lanka! 💪

Brilliant display by our Lions! Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by 77 runs and take 1-0 lead in the ODI series! On to the next one!#SLvBAN #SriLanka pic.twitter.com/cwO4LSnHpl

— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) July 2, 2025

It was a catastrophic implosion that saw the visitors go from cruise control to crisis mode in the blink of an eye.

The turning point came with the run out of the set Najmul Hossain Shanto, who had been looking in ominous touch during a fluent 71-run stand with Tanzid Hasan.

Shanto, fresh off twin tons in the recent drawn Galle test, was beginning to assert himself when he called for a risky second run, only to be caught short by a bullet throw from debutant Milan Rathnayake from deep mid-wicket.

That moment turned the tide — and Sri Lanka pounced.

Enter spin twins Wanindu Hasaranga and Kamindu Mendis, who spun a web around the bewildered Bangladesh middle order.

 The pair shared seven wickets between them as Bangladesh cracked under pressure.

Hasaranga struck twice in his opening over – trapping Litton Das plumb in front for a duck and then watching Janith Liyanage pull off a blinder at mid-off to send Tanzid back to the pavilion for a top score of 62.

Mendis, the ambidextrous spinner who bowls both right-arm off-spin and left-arm orthodox, then joined the act.

His variation proved too much for the shell-shocked tourists.

HASARANGA MILESTONE 

It was a night to remember for Hasaranga, who brought up a personal milestone as he claimed his 100th ODI wicket – becoming the second fastest Sri Lankan to the mark in 64 games, just one behind Ajantha Mendis.

He finished with 4-10.

Century of Wickets for Hasaranga! 💯

Wanindu Hasaranga now has 100 ODI wickets to his name, becoming the second-quickest Sri Lankan to achieve this feat. #SLvBAN #WaninduHasaranga pic.twitter.com/4dmgX2GOjG

— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) July 2, 2025

Sri Lanka were penalised with five penalty runs added to the extras for starting the 36th over of Bangladesh's innings late after being warned twice earlier in the evening.

Skipper Charith Asalanka's fighting century held Sri Lanka's innings together after they were rocked early at 29 for three.

The left-hander mixed caution with aggression to compile his fifth ODI hundred.

Asalanka found handy allies in the lower middle order to steer Sri Lanka to 244 before being bowled out with four deliveries to spare.

His knock proved to be the difference on a day when composure under pressure separated the two sides.

A magnificent milestone for our skipper, Charith Asalanka, who smashes his 5th ODI hundred!

But that's not all – he's now equalled a remarkable record, hitting 4️⃣ hundreds at RPICS Colombo! He joins an elite list alongside legends Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, and Sanath… pic.twitter.com/UswODtNpXV

— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) July 2, 2025

Bangladesh skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz admitted his batsmen had not been up to scratch.

"We started off so well and then the run out cost us dearly. Our middle order was a disappointment as we didn't handle the pressure well. We should have got a partnership going," he said.

"It is tough to lose, but we are a better team than this. We will bounce back in two days' time."

Asalanka was named man of the match for his 106.

"I wanted to play according to the situation. We were disappointed with the way we finished in the last 10 overs. We knew we were a few runs short but the fielding was amazing today," said Asalanka.

"We emphasise a lot on fielding. We believe catches win matches and it was there to be seen today. We have done well in ODIs in the last 12 months having beaten Australia and India.

"We are ranked fourth in the world and we want to address a few shortcomings and finish this series strong."

The second ODI in the three-match series will be played at the same venue on Saturday.

SRI LANKA: Nishan Madushka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (capt), Janith Liyanage, Milan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando

BANGLADESH: Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Litton Das, Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (capt), Jaker Ali, Taskin Ahmed, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib

Sri Lanka are on a redemption trail in ODI cricket after a disastrous World Cup and will look to tighten the screws further when they host Bangladesh in a three-match series starting on Wednesday.

After finishing ninth in the 2023 World Cup and missing out on a Champions Trophy berth, the islanders have staged a commendable turnaround, notching up series wins against heavyweights India and Australia.

That purple patch has propelled them to fourth in the ICC ODI rankings, but skipper Charith Asalanka insists they are not resting on their laurels.

"We are happy with our progress, but we're not reading too much into rankings just yet," Asalanka told reporters on the eve of the series opener at the R Premadasa Stadium.

"Our goal is to break into the top three. There's still plenty of room for improvement, and this series is another step towards that."

The series comes amidst tweaks to playing conditions that captains are still coming to grips with — particularly the rule regarding the use of balls in the final stretch of an innings.

Previously, two new balls were used from either end throughout the 50 overs. Under the revised rule, the fielding side will continue to operate with two balls but must pick one to be used exclusively from the 35th over onwards.

"It's something new and we're all still figuring out how to navigate it," said Asalanka. "It changes the dynamic of the death overs — how we bowl, how batters finish. It's a learning curve for everyone."

Sri Lanka received a timely boost with allrounder Milan Rathnayake declared fit after missing the second test against Bangladesh due to a side strain.

However, his inclusion will depend on the team's balance, with spin-bowling allrounder Dunith Wellalage also in contention.

BANGLADESH TURN TO YOUNGER GENERATION

Bangladesh, meanwhile, arrive with a fresh look.

Allrounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz has taken over the reins from Najmul Hossain Shanto and the side is clearly in a rebuilding phase with veterans like Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah and Soumya Sarkar either retired or out of favour.

"We'll definitely miss our seniors," said Mehidy. "They've served Bangladesh cricket for a long time, and their absence leaves a big gap. But this is a chance for the younger boys to put their hands up."

With the next World Cup two years away, the visitors see this series as a springboard to blood fresh talent.

"This is a good platform to test our bench strength," Mehidy added. "We've brought some exciting young players here and it's an opportunity for them to establish their spots."

While Sri Lanka sit comfortably at No 4, Bangladesh — languishing in 10th — have plenty to play for.

A series win would see them leapfrog West Indies into ninth place, keeping their hopes alive for automatic qualification to the next World Cup to be staged in Africa in 2027.

"Every game is important," Mehidy said.

"We know what's at stake. A series win here will go a long way in our qualification push."

The second ODI will also take place in Colombo on Saturday, before the action shifts to the hill capital of Kandy for the final game at Pallekele on Tuesday.

The tour will conclude with a three-match T20I series.

Spinner Prabath Jayasuriya led the charge with a five-wicket haul as Bangladesh collapsed for just 133 in their second innings, handing Sri Lanka a win by an innings and 78 runs, with the hosts clinching a 1-0 victory in their two-test series on Saturday.

Bangladesh lost six wickets within 33 runs as their batters were unable to repeat the heroics that secured a draw in the first test in Galle on Colombo's spin-friendly track.

"There was a difference between (the) two matches ... that's a good morale booster for us, losing the toss and putting the opposition under pressure," Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

After Bangladesh posted 247 in their first innings, opener Pathum Nissanka scored 158 in a player-of-the-match performance, aided by Dinesh Chandimal (93) and Kusal Mendis (84) as Sri Lanka secured a commanding 211-run lead with a total of 458.

Anamul Haque (19) tried to give Bangladesh a fast start in the second innings but fell to Asitha Fernando (1-22), while his opening partner Shadam Islam (12) mistimed a cover drive and got caught just three balls later as Jayasuriya (5-56) took his first wicket of the match.

De Silva (2-13) trapped Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto, who scored twin centuries in the first test, with a leg before wicket dismissal to leave the visitors reeling at 70-4.

"Very disappointing after how we finished the first test, the way this one went," Shanto said. "We had opportunities but... always took easy options and made mistakes while batting."

Shanto later announced he was stepping down as the Bangladesh test captain.

"I don't want to continue as captain in this format, and I want to give a clear message to everyone, this is not a personal matter. It's entirely for the betterment of the team, and I believe this will help the team," he told reporters.

Mushfiqur Rahim (26), Bangladesh's other centurion in the previous match, was the next to fall as he was bowled by Jayasuriya, kicking off a collapse where Bangladesh lost their last five wickets in less than 11 overs.

Sri Lanka will play three one-day internationals and three Twenty20 matches against Bangladesh next month, with the first ODI set for Wednesday.

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (capt), Kusal Mendis, Sonal Dinusha, Tharindu Ratnayake, Vishwa Fernando, Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando.

Bangladesh: Shadman Islam, Anamul Haque, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nayeem Hasan, Taijul Islam, Ebadot Hossain, Nahid Rana.

Spinners Dhananjaya de Silva and Prabath Jayasurya rounded off another dominant day for Sri Lanka on Friday, taking two wickets each to leave them on the brink of a crushing innings victory over Bangladesh in the second test.

By close of play on the third day at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, the visitors had slumped to 115-6 in their second innings, still 96 runs away from making Sri Lanka bat again.

Sri Lanka tighten the grip! 🇱🇰 Bangladesh end Day 3 on 115/6, still trailing by 96 runs 🏏#SriLankaCricket #SLvsBAN pic.twitter.com/mXNlAStCTQ

— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) June 27, 2025

Bangladesh started their second innings with a daunting deficit of 211 after Kusal Mendis's forthright 84 had taken the Sri Lanka first innings to 458 all out earlier in the day.

All seven batters so far in the Bangladesh second innings made it into double figures but only Mushfiqur Rahim made it beyond 20, making 26 before being beaten all ends up by Jayasuriya.

With only four wickets in hand, it will be a tough ask of the Bangladesh lower order to see off the Sri Lanka spinners, who have been gaining plenty of turn, from wrapping up the test and the two-match series. The first test ended in a draw.

Sri Lanka batter Kamindu Mendis said that the "wicket is spinning now from both ends and its not easy for the batters".

"We will look to wrap this up quickly," he said after the day's play.

Earlier, leading from the front, skipper De Silva dealt twin blows with his off-spin in the evening session on Friday.

He had Mominul Haque (15) caught at first slip before trapping his opposite number Najmul Hossain Shanto (19) leg before.

Left-arm spinner Jayasuriya, under pressure to keep his spot after a lean patch, also responded in style with a probing spell.

He struck with the new ball, removing Shadman Islam (12) caught behind, and then bowled Mushfiqur.

The early part of the day belonged to Kusal Mendis who hammered a rapid 84 off 87 balls, with eight fours and two sixes, when it looked as though the Sri Lanka first innings was faltering.

'HELP MY TEAM'

Replying to Bangladesh's first innings of 247, Sri Lanka resumed on a strong overnight platform of 290-2 but lost four wickets in the morning session, three of them to the second new ball.

First to go was overnight century-maker Pathum Nissanka who added 12 before chipping left-arm spinner Taijul Islam to short cover. It was a soft end for the in-form opener whose 158 came after career-best 187 in the first test in Galle.

But Kusal Mendis dug in his heels steering Sri Lanka past the 450-run mark before running himself out, ninth wicket down, going for an unlikely second run.

Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam wrapped up the innings four balls later to finish with 5-131, his 17th five-wicket haul in test cricket.

Islam said that bowling with the new ball "when there is nothing much on the wicket" is an "advantage".

"There was a bit of zip this morning when the second new ball was available," he said after play.

"I know that I need ten more wickets to overtake Shakib Al Hasan as the leading wicket taker for Bangladesh" in tests, Islam added.

"But I am not overly bothered about it. It will come when it comes. What I am concentrating on is to bowl well and help my team do well".

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (capt), Kusal Mendis, Sonal Dinusha, Tharindu Ratnayake, Vishwa Fernando, Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando.

Bangladesh: Shadman Islam, Anamul Haque, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nayeem Hasan, Taijul Islam, Ebadot Hossain, Nahid Rana.

In-form opener Pathum Nissanka scored an unbeaten 146 as Sri Lanka tightened their grip on the second test against Bangladesh on day two in Colombo on Thursday.

The hosts were 290-2 at stumps, a lead of 43 on the back of Nissanka's sparkling innings off 238 balls.

It follows his career-best score of 187 in the first Test in Galle, which ended in a draw.

Nissanka found an able partner in former skipper Dinesh Chandimal, who scored a fluent 93 before a lapse in judgement saw him lose his wicket minutes before stumps.

The two put on 194 runs together.

"We are in a very good position, tomorrow we have to bat the whole day. We will try to get a lead of 150 to 200," said wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis.

"Shame he missed out on a double hundred in Galle. I hope he does it here," he said of Nissanka.

Frustrated by their inability to break through, Bangladesh resorted to negative lines and spread fields but Chandimal and Nissanka answered with a flurry of reverse sweeps.

Nissanka's opening partner Lahiru Udara was undone for 40 by a Taijul Islam delivery that held its line.

Originally given not out, the decision was overturned after a review.

Earlier, debutant Sonal Dinusha took 3-22 as Sri Lanka bowled out the visitors for 247.

Bangladesh resumed the day on 220-8 and lasted 8.3 overs with overnight batsman Taijul the last man out for 33, caught off Dinusha's left-arm spin.

All-rounder Dinusha, who came in for the retired Angelo Mathews, had made an instant impact by dismissing Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das on the opening day.

Fast bowler Asitha Fernando also finished with three wickets after he struck the first blow on Thursday.

Taijul offered some resistance and survived a reprieve on 20 when Kamindu Mendis shelled a tough chance at wide mid-off, denying Fernando his fourth wicket.

The left-hander frustrated the hosts with a gutsy knock during which he copped a few blows to the helmet.

Bangladesh eked out 33 runs for the last two wickets.

Play began 15 minutes early to compensate for overs lost to rain on day one when only 71 of the scheduled 90 overs were possible. T

The winner at Colombo's Sinhalese Sports Club ground will clinch the series after last week's draw.

"Sri Lanka are ahead in the game at the moment, but we know the new ball is due," said Bangladesh coach Phil Simmons.

"We will try to make an impact with the new ball. We know things can happen quickly if we are able to get a couple of wickets with the new ball."

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (capt), Kusal Mendis, Sonal Dinusha, Tharindu Ratnayake, Vishwa Fernando, Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando.

Bangladesh: Shadman Islam, Anamul Haque, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nayeem Hasan, Taijul Islam, Ebadot Hossain, Nahid Rana.

Sri Lanka's bowlers reduced Bangladesh to 220 for eight at stumps on a rain-hit day one of the second test at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground in Colombo.

On a track that offered little for the bowlers, it was debutant Sonal Dinusha who stole the spotlight.

The 24-year-old left-arm spinner, thrust into the big league following Angelo Mathews' retirement, returned figures of 2-22 in an impressive debut.

Dinush's first scalp was Litton Das, ending a flourishing fifth-wicket partnership with Mushfiqur Rahim.

He then accounted for the prized wicket of Mushfiqur, who had scored a century in the first test.

Pacer Vishwa Fernando provided useful support to Dinush.

The left-arm seamer, back in national colours after a successful County stint with Warwickshire, removed Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto, who had scored two hundreds in the first test.

Vishwa returned later in the innings to dismiss Mehidy Hasan Miraz with a sharp delivery that found the edge.

Bangladesh's decision to bat first backfired as their batters struggled.

Apart from Shadman Islam's patient 46, the top order failed to deliver.

"It's a slow kind of surface," Islam said. "It wasn't easy to play shots."

Sri Lanka's fielding was patchy in places, but their bowlers more than made up for it, ensuring the visitors never ran away with the game.

Asitha Fernando, drafted in after Milan Rathnayake's injury, ably supported Dinusha and Vishwa.

Sri Lanka's batting coach Thilina Kandamby praised the team's performance.

"Very good effort by the quicks," he said. "They bowled to good plans and created opportunities."

Bangladesh rang in two changes to their side: Mehidy Hasan returned after recovering from fever, replacing Jaker Ali, while Ebadot Hossain came in for the injured Hasan Mahmud.

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (capt), Kusal Mendis, Sonal Dinusha, Tharindu Ratnayake, Vishwa Fernando, Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando.

Bangladesh: Shadman Islam, Anamul Haque, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nayeem Hasan, Taijul Islam, Ebadot Hossain, Nahid Rana.

Bangladesh are boosted by the return of star allrounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz for the second test against Sri Lanka, but it also provides a selection dilemma for the team management.

The 26-year-old, who missed the first test due to illness, is ranked No 2 among test allrounders.

Offspinner Nayeem Hasan, who replaced him in the first test in Galle that ended in a draw on Saturday, finished with a six-wicket match haul including a five-for in the first innings.

Head coach Phil Simmons admitted the team now faces a "good headache" in balancing the playing 11.

"Miraz is world-class, no doubt he strengthens us in both departments," Simmons told reporters on the eve of the game at in Sri Lanka's capital Colombo.

"Nayeem was outstanding in Galle. It's tough to leave someone out after a performance like that. But everyone understands the team requirements. We'll take a final call after training today."

One possible workaround being floated is sacrificing a specialist batter – potentially Jaker Ali – to accommodate both spinners.

But Simmons was tight-lipped, saying the final squad would only be confirmed on match day.

Hosts Sri Lanka are grappling with a selection choice of their own, following the retirement of stalwart Angelo Mathews, who called time on his test career after the Galle game.

Three uncapped players – Pavan Rathnayake, Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Sonal Dinusha – have been added to the squad.

Selectors are likely to hand Dinusha his maiden cap.

"Sonal's a promising left-hander who also offers us left-arm spin. Given the conditions, he fits the bill," said skipper Dhananjaya de Silva.

Sri Lanka will also be forced to make at least one more change with seam-bowling allrounder Milan Rathnayake out due to a side strain.

The toss-up is between an extra pacer – most likely Kasun Rajitha, back from a stint of County Cricket with Essex – or a second frontline spinner in Akila Dananjaya, who last played a test almost six years ago.

The Singhalese Sports Club in Colombo is usually a seamer-friendly venue, but the pitch this time is expected to assist spinners as the game wears on.

Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto blasted twin centuries to help his side draw the first test against Sri Lanka in Galle on Saturday, while Angelo Mathews brought the curtain down on his red-ball career after more than 100 games for the hosts.

Shanto followed up his first-innings hundred with an unbeaten 125 in the second stanza after Mushfiqur Rahim was run out for 49, and Bangladesh declared on 285-6 to set Sri Lanka a steep victory target of 296 runs from 37 overs.

Najmul Hossain Shanto, the first Bangladesh captain to score hundreds in both innings of a Test match.

Photo Credit: SLC#BANvSL | #BCB | #BangladeshCricket pic.twitter.com/pmG0EEy8v4

— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) June 21, 2025

Sri Lanka lost a couple of quick wickets before Mathews, a veteran with more than 8 000 test runs to his name, held steadfast with the bat - albeit barely scoring any runs. In the end, Bangladesh called it a day with the score on 72 for four with five overs left.

Bangladesh had made Sri Lanka toil on the opening two days, amassing 495 runs in their first innings, including 148 for Shanto and 163 for Rahim, with Litton Das (90) unlucky to miss out on a century of his own.

What followed was a batting tug-of-war on a placid wicket as Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka piled up 187 runs before Dinesh Chandimal (54) and Kamindu Mendis (87) helped the hosts reach 485 to concede only a 10-run lead at the halfway mark.

TURN AND BOUNCE

Bangladesh offspinner Nayeem Hasan, who had begun to extract turn and bounce on a pitch showing signs of wear on the fourth day, claimed 5-121 - his fourth five-wicket haul in tests - to ensure Sri Lanka could not build a lead of their own.

The tourists then roared to 177 for three in their second innings at the end of the penultimate day for a healthy advantage, with Shadman Islam (76) giving them the chance to push for a rare overseas test victory and valuable World Test Championship points.

After showers late in the opening session on the fifth day wiped out 26 overs, Shanto reached his well-deserved hundred and asked Sri Lanka to bat again and attempt to chase down their big target at an asking rate of eight runs an over.

Match drawn! 🏏 The first Test between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at Galle has concluded in a hard-fought draw. We now look ahead to the second Test, which kicks off on June 25th at SSC Colombo! #SLvBAN #ThankYouAngelo pic.twitter.com/g7NMXnrVRT

— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) June 21, 2025

Former captain Mathews, who scored 39 in Sri Lanka's first innings, showed resilience in the final session and received a standing ovation when he fell for eight off 45 balls in his 119th and final test.

The result was the first drawn game in Galle for 12 years. The second test starts in Colombo next Wednesday and the two sides later play three one-day internationals and three Twenty20 internationals.

BANGLADESH: Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Shadman Islam, Anamul Haque, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Jaker Ali, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana

SRI LANKA: Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (capt), Kusal Mendis, Milan Rathnayake, Tharindu Ratnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando.

Bangladesh edged ahead of Sri Lanka on day four of the first test in Galle on Friday, extending their lead to 187 runs with seven wickets in hand.

The visitors finished at 177 for three after a strong partnership of 68 between opener Shadman Islam and skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto.

Allrounder Milan Rathnayake dismissed Shadman for 76, but veteran campaigner Mushfiqur Rahim, fresh off a first-innings century, joined his captain to steady the innings.

The duo put on an unbroken 49-run partnership for the fourth wicket to put their side in the driver's seat heading into the final day.

Bangladesh offspinner Nayeem Hasan earlier took five wickets to halt Sri Lanka's first-innings charge, with the visitors dismissed for 485 after lunch to trail by 10 runs.

Nayeem was well supported by Hasan Mahmud, who finished with 3-74.

Sri Lanka looked set for a useful lead after the first session, reaching 465-6 with Kamindu Mendis and Rathnayake stitching together a gritty 84-run stand for the seventh wicket.

However, Sri Lanka surrendered the momentum with a lower-order collapse, losing their last four wickets for 15 runs.

Rathnayake had shown commendable defiance for his 39 but was undone by an inside edge onto the stumps off Mahmud.

Kamindu followed in the next over with Sri Lanka's score unchanged, falling to Nayeem's off-spin as the ball kicked off the surface and caught the left-hander by surprise.

His composed 87 included eight fours and a six but he fell with a third hundred against Bangladesh within sight.

Nayeem then removed debutant Tharindu Rathnayake for a duck with another sharp off-break that went through the gate as Sri Lanka lost three wickets for just one run in 10 deliveries.

He then removed Asitha Fernando (4) to close out Sri Lanka's innings.

The last test draw at the Galle cricket ground was between the same two sides in 2013.

BRIEF SCORES: 

Bangladesh 1st innings: 495 all out (Mushfiqur Rahim 163, Najmul Hossain Shanto 148; Asitha Fernando 4-86)

Sri Lanka 1st innings: 485 all out (Pathum Nissanka 187, Kamindu Mendis 87, Dinesh Chandimal 54; Nayeem Hasan 5-121, Hasan Mahmud 3-74)

Bangladesh 2nd innings: 177-3 (Shadman Islam 76, Najmul Hossain Shanto

Pathum Nissanka's career-best 187 helped Sri Lanka finish the third day of the first test against Bangladesh in a strong position on Thursday, only 127 runs off the Tigers' first innings score.

The 27-year-old opener anchored the Sri Lanka innings before they finished on 368-4 at the close of play, behind Bangladesh's 495.

We end Day 3 on a strong 368/4, significantly closing the gap on Bangladesh's first innings total.#SLvBAN #WTC27 #GalleTest pic.twitter.com/R9r0WYZ3qx

— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) June 19, 2025

He struck several key partnerships before he was bowled by Hasan Mahmud towards the end of the day's play.

Nissanka, who had been under pressure before the match with only one half-century in nine innings, hit 23 fours and a six in his marathon 256-ball innings.

Nissanka looked set for his maiden double-ton when he was bowled by Mahmud, who was bowling with the second new ball.

A brilliant innings comes to an end! Pathum Nissanka is out for a superb 187, his highest score in Test cricket. Excellent effort, Pathum! 💪 #SLvBAN #GalleTest #WTC27 pic.twitter.com/Xlbob1UmZE

— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) June 19, 2025

Kamindu Mendis (37) and skipper Dhananjaya de Silva (17) will take charge of Sri Lanka's first innings on the fourth day, with the Galle wicket still playing well for the batters.

Besides Mahmud, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan and Mominul Haque finished the third day with one wicket each in a largely uneventful session for Bangladesh's bowlers.

Nissanka lost his opening partner Lahiru Udara (29) early in the day to the slow left-arm orthodox bowling of Islam.

Dinesh Chandimal came in and took a solid 54 runs before he was removed by Hasan after an important 157-run partnership with Nissanka.

Veteran Angelo Matthews, walking out to bat in his farewell test with a guard of honour from the opposition, hit 39 runs in a key cameo that took the hosts to 293 before he fell to Haque.

Earlier, the third day started with Sri Lanka wrapping up Bangladesh's innings in just three overs after their overnight score of 484-9.

Bangladesh's last man Nahid Rana feathered a short ball to wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis as fast bowler Asitha Fernando completed a return of 4-86 from his 29.4 overs.

The visitors had been cruising at 458-4 on Wednesday before losing five wickets for 26 runs in the final hour of the rain-hit day two.

For the visitors, skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto (148) and Mushfiqur Rahim (163) hit solid centuries, with Litton Das (90) falling 10 short of a century to Milan Rathnayake.

Bangladesh's slide began when Fernando, generating reverse swing, trapped Rahim leg before, breaking a 149-run fifth-wicket stand with Das.

In the next over, debutant Tharindu Rathnayake struck as Das gloved a reverse sweep to the keeper to herald a collapse.

Rain and poor light restricted play to 61 overs on day two.

BANGLADESH: Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Shadman Islam, Anamul Haque, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Jaker Ali, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana

SRI LANKA: Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (capt), Kusal Mendis, Milan Rathnayake, Tharindu Ratnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando.

Bangladesh continued their dominance over Sri Lanka on the second day of the first test Wednesday, finishing at a commanding 484 for nine – despite a few late breakthroughs by the hosts.

The Tigers resumed on 292 for three overnight and turned the screws on a batting-friendly wicket, with Mushfiqur Rahim and Najmul Hossain Shanto extending their record-breaking partnership.

The 264-run partnership finally ended when Shanto fell for 148, deceived in the air as he attempted to drive one.

Shanto's fluent innings was peppered with 15 boundaries and a six.

Mushfiqur kept going with wicketkeeper Litton Das before finally falling for 163, a marathon knock that spanned nearly nine hours and 350 balls.

Das piled on further misery for Sri Lanka with a brisk 90 off 123 deliveries, cashing in on tired bowlers and some loose fielding.

He was particularly severe on the spinners, using his feet to good effect to lift the ball cleanly over the in-field.

But he also survived some anxious moments.

Pathum Nissanka grassed a sitter at short mid-wicket when he had just 14 to his name.

Moments earlier, he had survived a run-out stemming from a mix-up.

He eventually perished attempting a reverse sweep off debutant Tharindu Ratnayake, gloving it to Kusal Mendis behind the stumps.

With rain interrupting play shortly after lunch, only 61 overs could be bowled on day two.

A persistent drizzle forced an early tea and fading light ended proceedings prematurely.

Play will resume fifteen minutes early on Thursday to compensate for the lost time.

BANGLADESH: Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Shadman Islam, Anamul Haque, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Jaker Ali, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana

SRI LANKA: Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (capt), Kusal Mendis, Milan Rathnayake, Tharindu Ratnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando.

A record-breaking fourth-wicket partnership between captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim put Bangladesh in control at 292-3 on day one of the first Test against Sri Lanka on Tuesday.

After a wobbly start at Galle, the pair stitched together 247 runs –- the highest fourth-wicket stand for Bangladesh in Tests against Sri Lanka -– steering the tourists to a commanding position at stumps.

Having elected to bat first, Bangladesh were reeling at 45-3 when the duo came together.

What followed was a gritty rescue act -– a partnership built on sound temperament, clever shot selection and an unflinching resolve as they dug their team out of early trouble.

Mushfiqur, the most capped Test player in Bangladesh history with 97 appearances, silenced his critics with a timely ton.

The veteran, under the pump after a lean patch spanning 13 innings without a half-century, rolled back the years with a knock of poise and purpose.

The 38-year-old has fond memories of Galle, having struck a monumental double hundred there in 2013, and once again turned tormentor-in-chief for the Sri Lankan bowlers.

He did enjoy a slice of luck –- a tough chance spilled by debutant Tharindu Rathnayake on 25 –- but made it count, navigating a nervy passage in the 90s, before scampering a quick single to notch up his 12th Test hundred.

Playing his third match in Galle, Rahim said he had "always done well" at the ground and it was "very pleasing to get another hundred here".

"We know that Galle always spins but for some reason when we have played here, we have been lucky to bat when conditions were good," he said after the day's play.

"This wicket will deteriorate that’s for sure," Rahim added. "That is why it is important to post a big first innings total (and) once we do that we can put the opposition under pressure".

His partner, Shanto, positive from the outset, kept the scoreboard ticking with deft footwork and a keen eye for the loose ball.

He brought up his sixth Test century –- and second against Sri Lanka -– with a cheeky paddle sweep off Prabath Jayasuriya, marking his first ton since November 2023.

'KEEP OUR DISCIPLINE'

Sri Lanka made early inroads with right-arm quick Asitha Fernando drawing first blood, removing opener Anamul Haque for a duck.

Off-spinner Rathnayake, handed his Test cap on the back of a prolific domestic season, struck twice in quick succession.

But once the Shanto-Mushfiqur duo got their eye in, it was one-way traffic.

"There was a bit of moisture on the wicket early on and we were able to create opportunities but once the wicket dried up it was a very good wicket to bat and the pitch became a bit slow as well," Rathnayake said after play.

"This is not the usual Galle wicket that we get, I feel, it is quite hard and I think it will be good for batting even heading into day four.

"We need to regroup tomorrow and the ball is quite new and we can make a few breakthroughs in the morning... we need to remain patient and keep our discipline and see what happens."

Sri Lanka also handed a debut to opening batter Lahiru Udara, another domestic heavyweight, while the hosts paused before the start of play to congratulate retiring stalwart Angelo Mathews.

The 38-year-old Mathews, playing his 119th and final Test, will hang up his boots with over 8,000 runs, behind only Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene in Sri Lanka's all-time charts.

Mathews speaking before the start, said he was "extremely proud to have a wonderful journey, thankful for whoever was part of it".

"Feeling quite special. Realising that I have played over 100 Tests", he added.

"Playing for the country was my dream, it has come true."

The match is the first in the new two-year World Test Championship cycle.

The second Test begins in Colombo on June 25.

Sri Lanka are set to begin a two-test series against Bangladesh in Galle on Tuesday that will mark the end of Angelo Mathews's "dream run" in the game's longest format, as the cricket season resumed following South Africa's World Test Championship triumph at Lord's.

The red-ball matches between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will be followed by a white-ball series of three one-day internationals and three T20s.

Hosts Sri Lanka begin the contest as firm favourites, eager to turn a fresh page after a stuttering end to the previous WTC cycle.

Sri Lanka were firmly in the mix for a place in the WTC final until December before the wheels came off spectacularly.

Two defeats in South Africa, followed by a twin collapse at Galle against Australia, saw them tumble down the rankings.

"We had one hand on a spot in the final but a few brain fades at crunch moments cost us dearly," Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva told reporters on Monday.

"We've learnt our lessons. A strong home start lays the foundation for success on the road."

'DREAM RUN'

Sri Lanka's squad includes six uncapped players, with at least one debut cap set to be handed out.

Spin remains Sri Lanka's strength, with Prabath Jayasuriya the key and selectors also calling up offspinner Akila Dananjaya.

Bangladesh enter the series without stalwarts Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan, and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto is realistic about the challenge.

"Tamim and Shakib – those are massive boots to fill," he said. "But this is a chance for the young guys to put their hands up."

Shanto, who is playing in Galle for the first time, said the team have "prepped well and we’re ready for the challenge".

The test will also be the swansong of Sri Lanka's veteran Mathews, who is retiring after 118 tests.

The former skipper also played his first test on the famous pitch perched beneath the fortress in Galle in 2009.

"It's been a dream run," said 38-year-old Mathews.

"The wins in England in 2014 and whitewashing the Aussies in 2016 stand out. I've seen so many youngsters come through the ranks," he said.

"I truly believe Sri Lanka's future is in good hands."

Sri Lanka have won 20 of the 26 tests they have played against Bangladesh, who have only managed a solitary win along with five draws.

The second test will begin in Colombo on June 25.

Sri Lanka's cricket board Sunday named an 18-member squad led by Dhananjaya de Silva for the two-match home test series against Bangladesh.

Former skipper Angelo Mathews, who is set to retire after the first test which starts on Tuesday, was included in the squad.

Both games will be at the Galle International stadium.

Bangladesh last visited Sri Lanka for a test series in April 2021 when they played two matches, losing one and drawing the other.

They will also play three one-day internationals and three T20 matches.

TEST SQUAD: Dhananjaya de Silva (capt.), Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Sonal Dinusha, Pavan Rathnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya, Tharindu Ratnayake, Akila Dananjaya, Milan Rathnayake, Asitha Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Isitha Wijesundara