Bangladesh Opt to Bat First in Galle as WTC 2025-27

🏏 Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka 1st Test – Galle, June 17, 2025

The new World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle kicks off with a highly anticipated clash between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in Galle, where Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat first on a surface expected to favor the batters early on.

🌦️ Rain Threat Looms Over Opening Test

Despite a dry start to the morning, overnight rain and forecasts for intermittent showers could heavily impact play throughout the match. Both teams are aware that time could be a factor, especially with Galle’s reputation for deteriorating pitches.

🔁 Bangladesh to Miss Mehidy Hasan Miraz

A major blow for Bangladesh is the absence of Mehidy Hasan Miraz, their leading run-scorer from the last WTC cycle, who misses the opener due to a fever. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto emphasized the importance of capitalizing on favorable batting conditions early and hopes his spin attack can exploit the pitch in the fourth innings.

🎓 Sri Lanka Hand Two Test Debuts

Sri Lanka, led by Dhananjaya de Silva, have handed out two Test debuts:

Lahiru Udara – top-order batter
Tharindu Rathnayake – ambidextrous spinner

De Silva admitted he would have preferred to bat first too, underlining the pitch’s batting-friendly nature.

🙏 Angelo Mathews’ Final Test Match

This match also marks an emotional moment for Angelo Mathews, one of Sri Lanka’s finest modern-day Test cricketers, who is playing his final Test match. Tributes poured in from both camps, with de Silva calling him “one of the greatest” to wear the Lankan jersey.