Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka: The stage is set at Galle International Stadium from June 17 to June 21, 2025, as Sri Lanka and Bangladesh kick off their Test series, with everything on the line—from ICC World Test Championship points to sentimental farewells. Read on to find out the full picture—including player line-ups, key battles, stats, and what to expect at this iconic coastal venue.
Match Snapshot
| Aspect |
Details |
| Match |
1st Test (Galle), ICC WTC 2025–27 |
| Dates |
June 17–21, 2025 |
| Venue |
Galle International Stadium, Sri Lanka |
| Importance |
World Test Championship opener + Angelo Mathews’ farewell Test |
| Recent Form |
Sri Lanka: 0–2 loss vs Australia
Bangladesh: 1–1 draw vs Zimbabwe |
This Test carries extra weight as it marks the start of the new WTC cycle. Add in the farewell for veteran batsman Angelo Mathews, and the stakes are as high emotionally as they are competitively.
Team Line-Ups
Sri Lanka – Probable XI
| Role |
Player(s) |
Notes |
| Opener |
Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando |
Solid start options in powerplay |
| Top/Mid Batsmen |
Dinesh Chandimal (WK), Kamindu Mendis |
Experience + innovative strokeplay |
| Middle Order |
Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva (c) |
Mathews’ final Test, DDS leads the side |
| Keepers/All-round |
Kusal Mendis (WK), Sonal Dinusha |
Mendis splits keeping; Dinusha debuts |
| Spinners |
Prabath Jayasuriya, Tharindu Rathnayake |
Will exploit the turning pitch |
| Fast Bowlers |
Asitha Fernando, Milan Rathnayake |
Provide pace variety |
Bangladesh – Probable XI
| Role |
Player(s) |
Notes |
| Opener |
Shadman Islam, Anamul Haque |
Aiming for a solid start |
| Top/Mid Order |
Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Litton Das |
Captain leads from front; experienced Litton |
| Keepers/Mid Order |
Mushfiqur Rahim (WK), Jaker Ali |
Rahim’s experience vs fresh Ali |
| All-rounder |
Mehidy Hasan Miraz |
Bowler + reliable lower-order batter |
| Spinners |
Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan |
Main spin duo for Bangladesh |
| Fast Bowlers |
Ebadot Hossain, Nahid Rana |
Pace attack looking for breakthroughs |
Key Player Match-Ups
| Duel |
Significance |
| Jayasuriya vs Mushfiqur |
Sri Lanka spinner vs veteran Bangladesh keeper—premier spin contest |
| Kamindu Mendis vs Taijul |
Young Sri Lanka batter vs experienced tainted spinner—lesson in spin batting |
| Nissanka vs Ebadot |
Opening aggression vs pace challenge—crucial for setting tone |
| Mehidy vs Mathews |
Local spinner vs retiring legend—key in middle overs |
These head-to-head battles will define momentum swings throughout the match, especially in spin-friendly Galle where shrewd footwork and tactical nous matter.
Historic Stats: Test Head-to-Head
| Venue |
Result |
| Galle 2022 |
SL won by 10 wickets |
| Mirpur 2022 |
Draw |
| Pallekele 2021 |
SL won by 209 runs |
| Dhaka 2018 |
SL won by 215 runs |
| Chattogram 2018 |
Draw |
Summary: Sri Lanka: 3 wins, Bangladesh: 0, Draws: 2
Explanation: Sri Lanka’s dominance, especially at home and on spin surfaces, makes them firm favorites entering this Test.
Pitch & Weather Conditions
| Factor |
Details |
| Pitch |
Classic Galle track—spin-friendly after Day 2, assists seam early on |
| Weather |
Sunny with occasional cloud cover, low chance of rain |
| Session Strategy |
Captains likely to attack by rotating spinners early Day 1 & Day 2 |
| Outcome Prediction |
Sri Lanka favored to capitalize on spin and home advantage |
Galle is notorious for early cracks and turnable surface—batsmen who leave wickets in the air early may pay the price.
Sri Lanka are strong favorites based on conditions, recent form, and home advantage. Yet, this framing doesn’t account for Bangladesh’s hunger to break their losing streak—and possibly pull off an upset. The emotional aura of Angelo Mathews’ final Test adds an extra layer of drama, making this match compelling both on and off the field.
