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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.
Nayeem Hasan to Dinesh Chandimal, Goes short and on leg, Dinesh Chandimal clips it to short mid-wicket.
Nayeem Hasan to Dinesh Chandimal, Massive, massive appeal for LBW, but turned down! Najmul Hossain Shanto once again has a chat with his players and takes the review. Nayeem Hasan flights it up, full and on middle, grips and turns in sharply. Dinesh Chandimal strides out to play but gets beaten on the inside edge, and the ball hits on his back thigh. The only thing that can save him here is height, or if there is bat involved. UltraEdge comes up and shows a spike when the ball is next to the bat, but at the same time, the replay shows that the bat hits the pad as well. However, the third umpire sees a slight deflection of the ball and deems that there is an inside edge. Bangladesh lose a review!
Nayeem Hasan to Dinesh Chandimal, Floated, full and on middle, Dinesh Chandimal tucks it to short mid-wicket.
Nayeem Hasan to Dinesh Chandimal, Tossed up, full and on middle, Dinesh Chandimal clips it to short fine.
- Pathum Nissanka 67 (98)
- Dinesh Chandimal 25 (17)
Taijul Islam to Pathum Nissanka, Tossed up, full and on middle, Pathum Nissanka keeps it out to the leg side.
Taijul Islam to Pathum Nissanka, Drags his length back, on off, Pathum Nissanka pats it down to covers.
Taijul Islam to Pathum Nissanka, Slows it up, full and on middle, Pathum Nissanka defends it on the front foot.
Taijul Islam to Pathum Nissanka, Flighted, full and around off, Pathum Nissanka steers it to point.
Taijul Islam to Dinesh Chandimal, Floated, full and on middle, Dinesh Chandimal clips it wide of mid on for a run.
Taijul Islam to Pathum Nissanka, Flatter, short and on middle, Pathum Nissanka nudges it through mid-wicket for a single.
- Pathum Nissanka 66 (93)
- Dinesh Chandimal 24 (16)
Nayeem Hasan to Pathum Nissanka, Another short delivery, on middle, Pathum Nissanka heaves it to deep square leg for one. Sri Lanka trails by 116 runs now!
Nayeem Hasan to Dinesh Chandimal, Shortish and on leg, Dinesh Chandimal works it through square leg for a run.
Nayeem Hasan to Dinesh Chandimal, FOUR! And again! The runs are coming thick and fast again now. Flighted, full and on off again. Dinesh Chandimal gets right underneath it and plays an exquisite cover drive for four more runs.
Nayeem Hasan to Dinesh Chandimal, FOUR! Brilliant shot! Tossed up, full and around off, Dinesh Chandimal is not going to miss out on these and drives it crisply through covers for a boundary.
Nayeem Hasan to Pathum Nissanka, Short and on leg, Pathum Nissanka nudges it through mid-wicket for a single.
Nayeem Hasan to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! Up and over! Half-tracker, on middle, turns in a bit. Pathum Nissanka rocks back and pulls it over mid-wicket. Anamul Haque from deep square leg runs a long way to his left and dives but fails to stop te boundary.
- Dinesh Chandimal 15 (13)
- Pathum Nissanka 60 (90)
Taijul Islam to Dinesh Chandimal, Tossed up, full and on middle, Dinesh Chandimal defends it on the front foot.
Taijul Islam to Pathum Nissanka, Floated, full and on middle, Pathum Nissanka drives it to mid off for another run.
Taijul Islam to Dinesh Chandimal, Flighted, full and on middle, Dinesh Chandimal clips it through mid-wicket for a run.
Taijul Islam to Dinesh Chandimal, FOUR! He is playing his shots here! Tossed up, full and on middle, Dinesh Chandimal once again goes down on one knee and swipes it off the inside half of the bat through mid-wicket for a boundary.
Taijul Islam to Pathum Nissanka, Goes short and on middle, Pathum Nissanka backs away and pats it to long on for a single.
Taijul Islam to Pathum Nissanka, Floated, full and on middle, Pathum Nissanka blocks it down the pitch.
- Dinesh Chandimal 10 (10)
- Pathum Nissanka 58 (87)
Nayeem Hasan to Dinesh Chandimal, Quicker, full and on off, Dinesh Chandimal knocks it back to the bowler.
Nayeem Hasan to Pathum Nissanka, Short again and on leg, Pathum Nissanka flicks it past square leg for a single.
Nayeem Hasan to Pathum Nissanka, Short and on middle, turns in, Pathum Nissanka clips it to square leg.
Nayeem Hasan to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! Excellent shot! Flighted, full and around off again. Pathum Nissanka extends his arms nicely and carves it through covers for a boundary.
Nayeem Hasan to Pathum Nissanka, Tossed up, full and on off, Pathum Nissanka strides out and taps it to covers.
Nayeem Hasan to Pathum Nissanka, Short and around off, Pathum Nissanka moves back and cuts it through point for a brace.
- Dinesh Chandimal 10 (9)
- Pathum Nissanka 51 (82)
Taijul Islam to Dinesh Chandimal, Just short! Slower through the air, full and on middle, turns away again, Dinesh Chandimal stays back to play at it but gets an outside edge just in front of first slip.
Taijul Islam to Dinesh Chandimal, SIX! BANG! 100 UP FOR LANKA! Flighted, full and on middle, turns away too. Dinesh Chandimal goes down on one knee and slog sweeps it with the turn over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.
Taijul Islam to Pathum Nissanka, Floated, full and on off, Pathum Nissanka pushes it towards covers for a quick run.
Taijul Islam to Pathum Nissanka, Tossed up, full and on middle, turns away, Pathum Nissanka prods forward and blocks it out.
Taijul Islam to Pathum Nissanka, Flatter, short and on off, Pathum Nissanka moves back and stabs it to extra covers.
Taijul Islam to Dinesh Chandimal, Short and around off, Dinesh Chandimal punches it through covers for a single.
- Pathum Nissanka 50 (79)
- Dinesh Chandimal 3 (6)
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Pathum Nissanka, FIFTY FOR NISSANKA! His 8th in Test and this has been another fine knock from the Lankan opener. Dragged back and on off again, Pathum Nissanka stabs it through extra covers for a couple of runs.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Dinesh Chandimal, Quicker, short and on off, Dinesh Chandimal steers it towards point for a run.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Dinesh Chandimal, Goes short and on off, Dinesh Chandimal punches it through covers for a brace to get off the mark.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Dinesh Chandimal, Tossed up, full and on middle, Dinesh Chandimal blocks it out.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Pathum Nissanka, Floated, full and on middle, Pathum Nissanka eases it to long on for a single.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Pathum Nissanka, Short and on middle, Pathum Nissanka pats it back to the bowler.
- Dinesh Chandimal 0 (3)
- Pathum Nissanka 47 (76)
Taijul Islam to Dinesh Chandimal, Slows it up, full and on middle, Dinesh Chandimal is solid in his defense. MAIDEN-WICKET OVER!
Taijul Islam to Dinesh Chandimal, Floated, full and on off, Dinesh Chandimal defends it on the front foot.
Taijul Islam to Dinesh Chandimal, Flighted, full and on middle, Dinesh Chandimal blocks it out.
Dinesh Chandimal walks out to bat at number 3.
Taijul Islam to Lahiru Udara, OUT! LBW! Taijul Islam finally gets the wicket he deserved! Excellent review from the visitors. Flatter delivery, full and on middle, Lahiru Udara prods forward to block it, but he is a bit late to get his bat in front and the ball hits his pad first before the bat. It is very close to the naked eye and there is a huge shout for LBW, but the finger stays down. Bangladesh looks very confident here, and Najmul Hossain Shanto goes for the review. UltraEdge confirms it is pad first, and Ball Tracking shows three reds. Udara departs for 40 off 65, and the 88-run opening stand has been broken now.
Taijul Islam to Lahiru Udara, Goes short and around off, Lahiru Udara steers it to point.
Taijul Islam to Lahiru Udara, Tossed up, full and on leg, Lahiru Udara looks to play at it but misses and gets hit on the pads.
- Pathum Nissanka 47 (76)
- Lahiru Udara 40 (62)
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Pathum Nissanka, Looped up, full and on middle, Pathum Nissanka keeps it out.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Pathum Nissanka, Short again and on off, Pathum Nissanka punches it to covers.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Pathum Nissanka, Flighted, full and on leg, Pathum Nissanka clips it to square leg.
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.
