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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.
- Shadman Islam 5 (16)
- Anamul Haque 0 (8)
Vishwa Fernando to Shadman Islam, FOUR! First boundary of the game! Pitches it up, outside off, Shadman Islam leans into his drive and hits it through covers for a boundary.
Vishwa Fernando to Shadman Islam, Slightly short and outside off. Islam cuts with width but finds point.
Vishwa Fernando to Shadman Islam, Length ball, around off. Shadman Islam solidly blocks it out.
Vishwa Fernando to Shadman Islam, Bowls it on a length and outside off. Shadman Islam taps it to point.
Vishwa Fernando to Shadman Islam, Slants it full and gets the stumps into play. Islam hangs back to block.
Vishwa Fernando to Shadman Islam, BEATEN! Shadman Islam is dancing to the Lankan tunes now! Slightly short and around off, angles in and it nips away. Islam looks to defend but is beaten.
- Anamul Haque 0 (8)
- Shadman Islam 1 (10)
Asitha Fernando to Anamul Haque, Nicely bowled! Excellent probing over! In the channel of uncertainty, length and around off, Anamul Haque gets forward to keep it out.
Asitha Fernando to Anamul Haque, Good length ball, comes with an angle around off, Anamul Haque solidly defends it.
Asitha Fernando to Anamul Haque, Tad fuller and around off, Anamul Haque leans across and defends it out.
Asitha Fernando to Anamul Haque, Short in length and close to the off pole. Anamul Haque makes a brave leave. Kusal Mendis picks the wobble delivery around his head.
Asitha Fernando to Anamul Haque, EDGED AGAIN! Asitha Fernando is making the ball move! This one lands outside off on a length and moves away. Anamul Haque looks to push but gets an outside edge just in front of the man at second slip.
Asitha Fernando to Anamul Haque, DROPPED! Confusion! Asitha Fernando goes full and bowls it around off, the ball lands and seams away. Anamul Haque is drawn to play the wrong line, he flicks but gets an outside edge to the right of the keeper, Kusal Mendis dives but he could have left it for the fielder stationed for the first slip.
- Shadman Islam 1 (10)
- Anamul Haque 0 (2)
Vishwa Fernando to Shadman Islam, Vishwa Fernando serves it full and outside off, Islam leaves it alone.
Vishwa Fernando to Shadman Islam, Touch fuller and around the fourth stump line. Islam brings a straight bat down to block.
Vishwa Fernando to Shadman Islam, Angles in a length ball, around off, Islam presses forward and defends it.
Vishwa Fernando to Shadman Islam, Outside off, Shadman Islam leaves it alone.
Vishwa Fernando to Shadman Islam, Bowls in the outside off region with a hint of shape, Islam shoulders arms.
Vishwa Fernando to Shadman Islam, Short of a length delivery, outside off. Islam taps it to gully.
Vishwa Fernando to bowl from the other end.
- Anamul Haque 0 (2)
- Shadman Islam 1 (4)
Asitha Fernando to Anamul Haque, Huge appeal for LBW is turned down! Asitha Fernando bowls it on a length and shaping back in on middle and leg. Anamul Haque fails to flick and gets hit on the pads. The angle was taking it down leg.
Asitha Fernando to Anamul Haque, A good length delivery on middle, Anamul Haque gets behind the line and solidly blocks.
Asitha Fernando to Shadman Islam, Bangladesh are underway! Asitha Fernando sticks to the fuller length region, around off, Islam pushes it to cover where the fielder dives to his right and half-stops. A single.
Asitha Fernando to Shadman Islam, Slightly fuller and shaping onto the pads. Islam flicks it but to square leg.
Asitha Fernando to Shadman Islam, Bowls a low full toss, swinging back on middle, Islam nudges it to mid-wicket.
Asitha Fernando to Shadman Islam, Asitha Fernando pitches it up and angles across, outside off. Islam drives but straight to short cover.
All set for action. Earlier, Sonal Dinusha got his maiden Test cap from Kusal Mendis. Big shoes to fill for the youngster as he comes in place of Angelo Mathews. The Lankan players are out in the middle. Shadman Islam and Anamul Haque to open for Bangladesh. Asitha Fernando to bowl first. Let's play...
Dhananjaya de Silva, the skipper of Sri Lanka says they also wanted to bat first but feels, with overcast conditions, there is something for the bowlers. Informs so comes in for Mathews and tells he will bat at 6 and DDS will bat at 4. Shares Sonal Dinusha have performed well in the last couple of years and is a good backup for Mathews.
Najmul Hossain Shanto, the skipper of Bangladesh says they will bat first as it looks a very good wicket. Informs they have made a couple of changes. Tells they did well in Galle but these are new conditions and they have to do well.
Sri Lanka (Playing XI) - Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (C), Kusal Mendis (WK), Sonal Dinusha (In for Angelo Mathews) (On his Debut), Tharindu Rathnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya, Vishwa Fernando (In for Milan Rathnayake), Asitha Fernando.
Bangladesh (Playing XI) - Shadman Islam, Anamul Haque, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto(C), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das(WK), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (In for Jaker Ali), Nayeem Hasan, Taijul Islam, Nahid Rana, Ebadot Hossain (In for Hasan Mahmud).
TOSS - Bangladesh have won the toss and will BAT.
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.
