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- SL vs BAN Highlights, 2nd Test Day 1 at Colombo
SL vs BAN Highlights, 2nd Test Day 1 at Colombo
The team's positive momentum stems from their impressive start in the first Test, marking a departure from their typically slow series beginnings.
"There's a lot of confidence from the way we played. Often, we're a bit slow to start in the first Test of a series, but this time, we hit the ground running. That gives us a lot of belief going into the second Test," Simmons told reporters.
The coach praised the team's preparation and spirit following the draw in Galle.
"The morale has been excellent from the start. The guys did their work in Dhaka so that we could hit the ground running here. The draw in Galle was a solid result, and we've recovered well in the three days since. Spirits are high."
Simmons shared his assessment of the playing conditions and team readiness.
"It looks like a good wicket so far. I haven't seen it today, but from what we saw yesterday, it looked decent. Tomorrow, we'll come in and look to play as hard as we did in Galle. There are a few little things we want to improve on, and it's important that we either maintain or elevate the level we showed in the first Test."
The team's physical and mental preparation has been notable.
"The players are doing well. Playing good cricket lifts the mood, and we've had a decent break between Tests. They're mentally strong and physically ready. We're up for the challenge," he added.
Bangladesh faces a selection dilemma regarding their bowling lineup, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz expected to return after missing the first Test due to fever.
"That decision will be made later today, depending on what we see in the pitch. We've just arrived at the ground, so we need to assess the conditions first before deciding on team balance, whether we go with three seamers or three spinners," said Simmons.
Nahid Rana to Lahiru Udara, Hits the length hard, on middle and off, Lahiru Udara dabs it to point.
Nahid Rana to Lahiru Udara, Back of a length and around off, Lahiru Udara pats it towards covers.
Nahid Rana to Lahiru Udara, FOUR! Bangladesh are leaking runs from both ends! Overpitched and on middle, angling in again. Lahiru Udara stays in his crease, lets the ball come to him before tucking it away to the deep mid-wicket fence for another boundary.
Nahid Rana to Lahiru Udara, Good length and on middle, angling in, Litton Das clips it to square leg.
Nahid Rana to Lahiru Udara, FOUR! Gets greeted with a boundary! Nahid Rana goes a bit too full and angling into the pads. Lahiru Udara brings his wrists into play and flicks it away with nice timing through square leg for four runs.
- Pathum Nissanka 20 (22)
- Lahiru Udara 10 (14)
Taijul Islam to Pathum Nissanka, Arm ball, full and on middle, angling in, Pathum Nissanka blocks it out on the front foot.
Taijul Islam to Pathum Nissanka, Slower through the air, full and on off, Pathum Nissanka strides out and fends it to short covers.
Taijul Islam to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! Fine shot! Taijul Islam drags his length back, outside off, turns away. Pathum Nissanka picks up the length early, rocks back and swats it wide of mid on for a boundary.
Taijul Islam to Lahiru Udara, Flighted, full and on off, Lahiru Udara pushes it through covers for a single.
Taijul Islam to Lahiru Udara, Floated, full and on middle again, Lahiru Udara turns it to the leg side.
Taijul Islam to Lahiru Udara, Tossed up, full and on middle, Lahiru Udara knocks it to mid on.
- Pathum Nissanka 16 (19)
- Lahiru Udara 9 (11)
Ebadot Hossain to Pathum Nissanka, Pitched up and on middle and leg, Pathum Nissanka clips it to square leg.
Ebadot Hossain to Pathum Nissanka, Pulls his length back a bit, on the sixth stump line, Pathum Nissanka leaves it alone.
Ebadot Hossain to Lahiru Udara, Full again, on middle, shaping in, Lahiru Udara misses his flick as the ball goes off his pads towards square leg. A leg bye taken.
Ebadot Hossain to Lahiru Udara, Touch fuller and on middle and off, Lahiru Udara blocks it out nicely.
Ebadot Hossain to Lahiru Udara, FOUR! Put away! Short of a length and on middle, Lahiru Udara gets on top of the bounce and pulls it away. He does not get it from the middle of the bat but hits it well wide of mid-wicket for a boundary.
Ebadot Hossain to Lahiru Udara, Good-length delivery, on off, angling in, Lahiru Udara pats it down towards short covers.
- Pathum Nissanka 16 (17)
- Lahiru Udara 5 (7)
Taijul Islam to Pathum Nissanka, Flatter and outside off, Nissanka cuts it to sweeper cover for a couple of runs.
Taijul Islam to Pathum Nissanka, The arm ball, around off, Nissanka punches it to point.
Taijul Islam to Lahiru Udara, Too full and on middle, spins away. Cuts Lahiru Udara in half as he splices his shot to point for one.
Taijul Islam to Pathum Nissanka, Tossed up, around off and turns away. Nissanka works it to mid-wicket for a single.
Taijul Islam to Pathum Nissanka, Flighted on the leg side, drilled to mid on.
Taijul Islam to Lahiru Udara, Flatter and outside off, Lahiru Udara slaps it to covers for a run.
- Pathum Nissanka 13 (13)
- Lahiru Udara 3 (5)
Ebadot Hossain to Pathum Nissanka, Goes fuller and around off, defended to cover.
Ebadot Hossain to Pathum Nissanka, Good length delivery on off and nips in. Nissanka defends right under his eyes.
Ebadot Hossain to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! HELPED AWAY! Slants in a length ball on middle and leg. Nissanka plays with soft hands to fine leg and it races away.
Ebadot Hossain to Pathum Nissanka, Much better! Comes back and targets the stumps with a fuller delivery, defended.
Ebadot Hossain to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! Just like his first boundary! Ebadot Hossain offers width on the off side, Nissanka crunches it through point and it races to the fence.
Ebadot Hossain to Lahiru Udara, Serves it full and on middle and leg, Lahiru Udara nudges it to square leg for a single.
- Lahiru Udara 2 (4)
- Pathum Nissanka 5 (8)
Taijul Islam to Lahiru Udara, Drifts this one on the pads. Lahiru Udara goes back and turns it to square leg for one.
Taijul Islam to Lahiru Udara, Angles in a full ball on off, spins away. Lahiru Udara leans and solidly defends.
Taijul Islam to Pathum Nissanka, Floated full and outside off, Nissanka punches it to deep cover for a single.
Taijul Islam to Pathum Nissanka, Tossed up angling on middle, Nissanka blocks it out.
Taijul Islam to Lahiru Udara, Lahiru Udara is underway! Drops it full and outside off. Lahiru Udara taps it to point for a single.
Taijul Islam to Lahiru Udara, Tossed up on middle, Lahiru Udara eases it to mid on.
Taijul Islam to bowl from the other end.
- Pathum Nissanka 4 (6)
- Lahiru Udara 0 (0)
Ebadot Hossain to Pathum Nissanka, Shorter and outside off, Nissanka shoulders arms to it.
Ebadot Hossain to Pathum Nissanka, Very full and around off, Nissanka steps across and blocks it out.
Ebadot Hossain to Pathum Nissanka, BEATEN! Tad fuller and well wide outside off. Nissanka is tempted to drive as he plants his front foot across but misses.
Ebadot Hossain to Pathum Nissanka, A good length delivery, shaping on off. Nissanka watchfully blocks.
Ebadot Hossain to Pathum Nissanka, Goes fuller and bowls it on middle and leg. Nissanka nudges it to mid-wicket.
Ebadot Hossain to Pathum Nissanka, Solid shot to get off the mark! Short of a length and outside off. Nissanka punches it square on the off side, through the gap and beats the fielder to the fence.
Bangladesh had previously drawn a two-match Test series in the West Indies in November 2024 after losing the first Test and managed a similar result at home against Zimbabwe in April 2025, also bouncing back after an opening defeat.
"There's a lot of confidence from the way we played. Often, we're a bit slow to start in the first Test of a series, but this time, we hit the ground running. That gives us a lot of belief going into the second Test," Simmons told reporters ahead of the second Test in Colombo.
"The morale has been excellent from the start. The guys did their work in Dhaka so that we could hit the ground running here. The draw in Galle was a solid result, and we've recovered well in the three days since. Spirits are high.
"It looks like a good wicket so far. I haven't seen it today, but from what we saw yesterday, it looked decent. Tomorrow, we'll come in and look to play as hard as we did in Galle. There are a few little things we want to improve on, and it's important that we either maintain or elevate the level we showed in the first Test.
"The players are doing well. Playing good cricket lifts the mood, and we've had a decent break between Tests. They're mentally strong and physically ready. We're up for the challenge," he added.
Sri Lanka Squad: Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva(c), Kusal Mendis(w), Pavan Rathnayake, Tharindu Ratnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Akila Dananjaya, Kasun Rajitha, Oshada Fernando, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Sonal Dinusha, Dunith Wellalage, Isitha Wijesundera
Bangladesh (predicted XI): Shadman Islam, Anamul Haque, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Jaker Ali (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nayeem Hasan, Taijul Islam, Nahid Rana, Hasan Mahmud
Bangladesh, on the other hand, will take plenty of confidence into the second Test. They were the more likely of the two teams to force a result in Galle and will arrive in Colombo with real belief that they can convert their momentum into a victory. Considering their remaining away fixtures are against WTC 2025 finalists Australia and South Africa, any points earned here could prove vital.
The Test in Colombo also marks the beginning of a new chapter for Sri Lanka, being their first since the retirement of veteran Angelo Mathews. The search for his long-term successor is underway, with spin-bowling allrounder Sonal Dinusha likely to be the first given a chance. His left-arm spin could prove useful in home conditions, and with no more Tests scheduled for Sri Lanka this year, Dinusha will be eager to seize his moment.
