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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.
Taijul Islam to Pathum Nissanka, Tossed up, on off, Pathum Nissanka blocks it back.
Taijul Islam to Pathum Nissanka, Flatter, angling in, Pathum Nissanka cuts it to point.
Taijul Islam to Pathum Nissanka, Short and wide, Pathum Nissanka blocks it to point.
Taijul Islam to Dinesh Chandimal, Fuller again, on off, Dinesh Chandimal taps it to covers for one.
Taijul Islam to Dinesh Chandimal, Full, on off, Dinesh Chandimal pushes it to cover.
- Pathum Nissanka 72 (118)
- Dinesh Chandimal 32 (45)
Ebadot Hossain to Pathum Nissanka, Outside off, on a length and this is guided to point.
Ebadot Hossain to Pathum Nissanka, On a length, on off, Pathum Nissanka looks to drive it but gets an inside edge onto his pads.
Ebadot Hossain to Pathum Nissanka, On a nagging length and on middle, Pathum Nissanka presses forward and defends.
Ebadot Hossain to Pathum Nissanka, Good length ball, on middle, it lands and jags back in. Nissanka keeps it out on the leg side.
Ebadot Hossain to Dinesh Chandimal, Outside off, Dinesh Chandimal cuts it to deep point for a single.
Ebadot Hossain to Dinesh Chandimal, Ebadot Hossain serves it on a length and on middle, Dinesh Chandimal turns it to mid on.
- Dinesh Chandimal 31 (43)
- Pathum Nissanka 72 (114)
Taijul Islam to Dinesh Chandimal, Flighted outside off, Dinesh Chandimal plays it through cover for a single.
Taijul Islam to Dinesh Chandimal, Floated full on off, Dinesh Chandimal knocks it to cover.
Taijul Islam to Dinesh Chandimal, Very full and on middle, Dinesh Chandimal lunges forward and blocks.
Taijul Islam to Dinesh Chandimal, That's straight enough! An appeal for LBW and Dinesh Chandimal looks in trouble but he reviews. Maybe he has a point! The ball is travelling just down, this is fuller and comes with the angle. Dinesh Chandimal looks to slog-sweep but misses and gets hit on the pads. Ball Tracking shows it rolls past the leg pole.
Taijul Islam to Dinesh Chandimal, Taijul Islam pushes it full on middle, Dinesh Chandimal leans and blocks.
Taijul Islam to Pathum Nissanka, Flighted ball, outside off, Nissanka lofts it to deep cover for a single.
- Dinesh Chandimal 30 (38)
- Pathum Nissanka 71 (113)
Ebadot Hossain to Dinesh Chandimal, Length ball, around off, defended out.
Ebadot Hossain to Pathum Nissanka, Well bowled! Good length ball on off and nips into the batter. Nissanka leans and edges it down to fine leg for one.
Ebadot Hossain to Pathum Nissanka, Length ball on middle, Nissanka defends it on the deck.
Ebadot Hossain to Pathum Nissanka, Errs in line and spills it down leg. Nissanka misses his flick.
Ebadot Hossain to Pathum Nissanka, Angles in a length ball on middle, Nissanka nicely flicks it past square leg and collects a brace.
Ebadot Hossain to Pathum Nissanka, Short of a length and on middle, Nissanka gets on his toes and defends.
- Dinesh Chandimal 30 (37)
- Pathum Nissanka 68 (108)
Taijul Islam to Dinesh Chandimal, Taijul Islam slows it up and bowls it around off, Dinesh Chandimal knocks it to point.
Taijul Islam to Pathum Nissanka, Flat and outside off, this is punched to covers for a single.
Taijul Islam to Pathum Nissanka, Tossed up around off, Nissanka prods and blocks well.
Taijul Islam to Pathum Nissanka, Flighted on middle, Nissanka drags his shot to mid on.
Taijul Islam to Pathum Nissanka, Flatter delivery, outside off, stays low. Nissanka looks to cut but misses.
Taijul Islam to Dinesh Chandimal, Shorter and outside off, Dinesh Chandimal cuts it to cover for a single. That also brings up the 50-run partnership between these two batters.
DRINKS! Sri Lanka are riding the momentum their bowlers have gathered since the start of the match. They have batted superbly so far and need to carry on as they trail just by 110 runs. Bangladesh are unable to create many chances and also leaking runs regularly. They need to get together and create some energy or else they'll be chasing the game.
- Dinesh Chandimal 29 (35)
- Pathum Nissanka 67 (104)
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Dinesh Chandimal, THREE RUNS! Too full and outside off, Dinesh Chandimal drives it to mid off where Taijul Islam dives across and misfields which allows the batters three runs.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Dinesh Chandimal, Tossed up on middle, Dinesh Chandimal defends besides his pads.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Dinesh Chandimal, Flighted full and on middle, Dinesh Chandimal solidly defends.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Dinesh Chandimal, Looped up, full and on middle, Dinesh Chandimal tucks it on the leg side.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Dinesh Chandimal, Floats it full and around off, Dinesh Chandimal pushes it to cover.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Dinesh Chandimal, Looped up, full and outside off, Dinesh Chandimal knocks it to cover.
- Dinesh Chandimal 26 (29)
- Pathum Nissanka 67 (104)
Taijul Islam to Dinesh Chandimal, Angles it full and on middle, Dinesh Chandimal nudges it to mid-wicket for one.
Taijul Islam to Dinesh Chandimal, Tossed up, outside off, turns away. Dinesh Chandimal defends it on the off side.
Taijul Islam to Dinesh Chandimal, Fuller delivery, outside off, Dinesh Chandimal pushes it to cover.
Taijul Islam to Dinesh Chandimal, Very full and around off, Dinesh Chandimal drives it to cover.
Taijul Islam to Dinesh Chandimal, Flights a full ball angling on middle, Dinesh Chandimal leans and blocks.
Taijul Islam to Dinesh Chandimal, Tossed up, outside off, punched to cover.
- Pathum Nissanka 67 (104)
- Dinesh Chandimal 25 (23)
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Pathum Nissanka, Angles it full and on middle, blocked out. Back-to-back maiden over!
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Pathum Nissanka, Floats it full and on middle, Nissanka puts a big stride forward and blocks.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Pathum Nissanka, Flat and spinning on middle, Nissanka chips it to the right of the bowler.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Pathum Nissanka, Tossed up on middle, Nissanka defends in front of his pads.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Pathum Nissanka, Slower fuller delivery on middle, Nissanka prods and blocks.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Pathum Nissanka, Mehidy Hasan Miraz bowls it full and outside off, Nissanka pushes it to cover.
- Dinesh Chandimal 25 (23)
- Pathum Nissanka 67 (98)
Nayeem Hasan to Dinesh Chandimal, Maiden Over! Looped up, full and around off, Dinesh Chandimal stays back and keeps it out to the off side.
Nayeem Hasan to Dinesh Chandimal, Quicker, short again and on leg, Dinesh Chandimal pats it to short mid-wicket.
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.
