SL VS BAN 2ND TEST

From Galle, the caravan moves to Colombo for the second and final Test between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at the Sinhalese Sports Club. The first Test at Galle ended in a draw, a surprising outcome considering it was the first time since 2013 that a Test at the venue had ended in a stalemate. The surface played a major role, offering little help to the bowlers throughout the match. Bangladesh batted first and piled on 495, to which Sri Lanka responded strongly with 485. Rain interruptions further reduced the time available, and Bangladesh’s decision to delay their second-innings declaration left them with too little time to force a result. Although they managed to pick up four Sri Lankan wickets in the final innings, the hosts held on comfortably for the draw. The Galle Test also marked the end of an era as Angelo Mathews made his final appearance in whites for Sri Lanka. With both Dimuth Karunaratne and now Mathews stepping away from Test cricket, Sri Lanka are entering a new phase, aiming to rebuild their batting core with fresh faces and emerging leaders. On debut, right-handed opener Lahiru Udara, who stepped in for Karunaratne, got a start in the first innings but failed to convert and had no impact in the second. For the Colombo Test, Oshada Fernando, Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Pavan Rathnayake are the contenders to replace Mathews in the middle order. Whoever gets the nod will have big shoes to fill. In the bowling department, Prabath Jayasuriya's return of just one wicket in Galle was surprising, especially given his outstanding record at the venue. He will be hoping for more assistance from the SSC surface, as will ambidextrous spinner Tharindu Rathnayake. Meanwhile, seam bowling all-rounder Milan Rathnayake has been ruled out after sustaining a side strain in Galle. His absence will require a new partner for Asitha Fernando, with Kasun Rajitha or Vishwa Fernando likely to step in. For Bangladesh, the new World Test Championship cycle has begun on a positive note, particularly for senior batters Mushfiqur Rahim and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, who led from the front with Shanto scoring centuries in both innings. However, Anamul Haque and Mominul Haque could not have any impact, underlining the persistent top-order issues Bangladesh have faced in recent times. The visitors were without Mehidy Hasan Miraz in the first Test due to illness, but he is expected to return for the Colombo Test. His inclusion will be a significant boost not only with the ball but also with the bat, where he adds crucial lower-order depth. His return could see Nayeem Hasan make way unless Bangladesh opt for a three-spinner strategy and go in with just a solitary seamer. It’s a winner-takes-all scenario, and both teams will be leaving nothing in the tank in their push for victory. Who are you backing to come out on top?