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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.
- Pathum Nissanka 35 (50)
- Lahiru Udara 29 (40)
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Pathum Nissanka, Drags his length back, on middle, Pathum Nissanka punches it to long on for one.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Pathum Nissanka, Flatter. full and on middle, turns in, Pathum Nissanka comes forward and tucks it to short mid-wicket.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Pathum Nissanka, Goes short and on off, Pathum Nissanka pats it back to the bowler.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Lahiru Udara, Flighted, full and on off, Lahiru Udara opens the face of his bat and steers it towards point for a run.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Pathum Nissanka, Tossed up, full and on middle, Pathum Nissanka uses his feet and eses it to long on for a single.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Pathum Nissanka, Floated, full and on off, Pathum Nissanka prods forward to block it out.
- Lahiru Udara 28 (39)
- Pathum Nissanka 33 (45)
Taijul Islam to Lahiru Udara, More flight, full and on leg, Lahiru Udara clips it to mid-wicket. A few tight overs from Bangladesh now!
Taijul Islam to Lahiru Udara, Tossed up, full and on middle, Lahiru Udara taps it towards short covers.
Taijul Islam to Lahiru Udara, Fires one full and on middle and leg, Lahiru Udara tucks it to short mid-wicket.
Taijul Islam to Lahiru Udara, Flighted, full and on middle, Lahiru Udara blocks it out nicely.
Taijul Islam to Lahiru Udara, Floated, full and on middle, Lahiru Udara turns it to the leg side.
Taijul Islam to Pathum Nissanka, Quicker, short and on middle, Pathum Nissanka clips it through mid-wicket for a single.
- Lahiru Udara 28 (34)
- Pathum Nissanka 32 (44)
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Lahiru Udara, Looped up, full and on middle, Lahiru Udara fends it away.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Pathum Nissanka, Short again, on middle, Pathum Nissanka nudges it through mid-wikcet for a run.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Pathum Nissanka, Slower through the air, full and on off, turns in, Pathum Nissanka clips it to backward square leg.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Pathum Nissanka, Flighted, full and on middle and off, Pathum Nissanka defends it on the front foot.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Pathum Nissanka, Tossed up, full and on off, Pathum Nissanka prods forward and blocks it out.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Lahiru Udara, Shorter in length, on middle, Lahiru Udara flicks it off the back foot through square leg for a single.
- Pathum Nissanka 31 (40)
- Lahiru Udara 27 (32)
Taijul Islam to Pathum Nissanka, MAIDEN OVER! Short and on off, Pathum Nissanka punches it to short covers.
Taijul Islam to Pathum Nissanka, Gives this one more air, full and on middle, Pathum Nissanka defends it on the front foot.
Taijul Islam to Pathum Nissanka, Flighted, full and on middle, Pathum Nissanka prods forward and fends it off the sticker of the bat to the leg side.
Taijul Islam to Pathum Nissanka, Floated, full and on middle, Pathum Nissanka strides out to defend but gets an inside edge towards square leg. Udara wants the run but is sent back and rightly so.
Taijul Islam to Pathum Nissanka, Flatter, full and on leg, Pathum Nissanka stays back and knocks it down the pitch.
Taijul Islam to Pathum Nissanka, Tossed up, full and on middle and leg, Pathum Nissanka drives it back to the bowler.
- Lahiru Udara 27 (32)
- Pathum Nissanka 31 (34)
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Lahiru Udara, FOUR! Spoils the over! Flighted, full and on off, Lahiru Udara goes down for the reverse sweep but gets a top edge that races to the third man fence for a boundary. Bangladesh won't mind that!
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Lahiru Udara, Short again, on middle, Lahiru Udara nudges it to mid-wicket.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Lahiru Udara, Shorter in length, on off, turns in, Lahiru Udara stays back and clips it to square leg.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Lahiru Udara, Flatter, full and on middle, Lahiru Udara turns it to short mid-wicket.
Can spin from both ends do the trick for Bangladesh? Let's see.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Lahiru Udara, Goes a bit short and on middle, Lahiru Udara stays back and keeps it out to the leg side.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Lahiru Udara, Floated, full and on middle, Lahiru Udara blocks it out down the pitch.
- Pathum Nissanka 31 (34)
- Lahiru Udara 23 (26)
Taijul Islam to Pathum Nissanka, Slows it up, full and on middle, turns away, Pathum Nissanka blocks it out solidly. Four dots to end the over!
Taijul Islam to Pathum Nissanka, Looped up, full and on middle, Pathum Nissanka pushes it to silly point.
Taijul Islam to Pathum Nissanka, Flighted, full and on middle, Pathum Nissanka knocks it back to the bowler.
Taijul Islam to Pathum Nissanka, Quicker, full and on middle, angling in, Pathum Nissanka stays back and just manages to clip it to square leg.
Taijul Islam to Lahiru Udara, Flatter, short and on off, Lahiru Udara guides it through point for a single.
Taijul Islam to Lahiru Udara, Tossed up, full and on off, Lahiru Udara taps it towards covers and wants the run but is sent back.
- Pathum Nissanka 31 (30)
- Lahiru Udara 22 (24)
Nahid Rana to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! Put away! A low full toss, on middle, angling in. Pathum Nissanka presents the full face of the bat and drives it gloriously past the bowler for another boundary.
Nahid Rana to Lahiru Udara, Short of a length and on off, Lahiru Udara cuts it through point for a run. 50-RUN STAND between the openers. A half-century opening partnership for Sri Lanka after 20 innings in Tests. Good start!
Nahid Rana to Pathum Nissanka, Full and on off, angling in, Pathum Nissanka steers it towards point for a single.
Nahid Rana to Pathum Nissanka, Nahid Rana bangs in a quick and sharp bouncer, on fof, Pathum Nissanka ducks under it.
Nahid Rana to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! Lovely shot! Goes much fuller and just around off, Pathum Nissanka leans onto his drive nicely, opens the face of his bat and creams it through covers for a boundary.
Nahid Rana to Pathum Nissanka, Good length and on the sixth stump line, Pathum Nissanka stays back and pats it to short covers.
- Lahiru Udara 21 (23)
- Pathum Nissanka 22 (25)
Taijul Islam to Lahiru Udara, Looped up, full and on middle, Lahiru Udara defends it on the front foot.
Taijul Islam to Lahiru Udara, A massive appeal for LBW, but turned down! Najmul Hossain Shanto has a chat with his keeper and bowler and takes the review. Slower through the air, full and on middle, turns away sharply. Lahiru Udara goes down to sweep it away but misses and gets hit around his midriff. UltraEdge confirms no bat involved, and on the replay, it looked like Bangladesh had their man. But Ball Tracking shows that it is bouncing a bit too much, and wickets is umpire's call. Lucky escape for Udara!
Taijul Islam to Pathum Nissanka, Goes short and around off, Pathum Nissanka cuts it through point for another run.
Taijul Islam to Pathum Nissanka, Flighted, full and on off, turns away, Pathum Nissanka stays back and steers it to point.
Taijul Islam to Lahiru Udara, Arm ball, full and on middle, skids through, Lahiru Udara looks to defend with a straight bat but gets an inside edge towards square leg for a run.
Taijul Islam to Pathum Nissanka, Floated, short and around off, turns away, Pathum Nissanka punches it through covers for a single.
- Lahiru Udara 20 (20)
- Pathum Nissanka 20 (22)
Nahid Rana to Lahiru Udara, Short of a length and outside off, Lahiru Udara punches it away wide of deep point for a brace. 10 runs off the over!
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.
