Sri Lanka's Mathews hails 'dream run' in final Test against Bangladesh
The red-ball matches between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will be followed by a white-ball series of three one-day internationals and three T20s.
Hosts Sri Lanka begin the contest as firm favourites, eager to turn a fresh page after a stuttering end to the previous WTC cycle.
Sri Lanka were firmly in the mix for a place in the WTC final until December before the wheels came off spectacularly.
Two defeats in South Africa followed by a twin collapse at Galle against Australia saw them tumble down the rankings.
"We had one hand on a spot in the final but a few brain fades at crunch moments cost us dearly," Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva told reporters on Monday.
"We've learnt our lessons. A strong home start lays the foundation for success on the road."
Sri Lanka's squad includes six uncapped players, with at least one debut cap set to be handed out.
Spin remains Sri Lanka's strength, with Prabath Jayasuriya the key and selectors also calling up off-spinner Akila Dananjaya.
Bangladesh enter the series without stalwarts Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan, and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto is realistic about the challenge.
"Tamim and Shakib -– those are massive boots to fill," he said. "But this is a chance for the young guys to put their hands up."
Shanto, who is playing in Galle for the first time, said the team have "prepped well and we're ready for the challenge".
The Test will also be the swansong of Sri Lanka's veteran Angelo Mathews, who is retiring after 118 Tests.
The former skipper also played his first Test on the famous pitch perched beneath the fortress in Galle in 2009.
"It's been a dream run," said 38-year-old Mathews.
"The wins in England in 2014 and whitewashing the Aussies in 2016 stand out. I've seen so many youngsters come through the ranks," he said.
"I truly believe Sri Lanka's future is in good hands."
Sri Lanka have won 20 of the 26 Tests they have played against Bangladesh, who have only managed a solitary win along with five draws.
The second Test will begin in Colombo on June 25.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
20 hours ago
- Zawya
Baidui Cup grows into global stage for youth football in Beijing
BEIJING, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 18 August 2025 - The 42nd "Baidui Cup" Football Tournament kicked off in the rain on the August 8 th. It brought a refreshing coolness of summer to the young players and once again ignited a football fever in Beijing, the "Dual Olympic City". As 51-year-old Chinese football legend Yang Chen watched children playing joyfully at the ongoing Beijing youth football tournament, vivid memories of his own participation over four decades ago came flooding back. "I really enjoy those exciting and delightful moments, running side by side with my young teammates, trying to perform our best, and pursuing victories. This is where my dream began," noted the Beijing native, who participated in the first two editions of the tournament. The Beijing youth football tournament is also known as the Baidui Cup. In 1984, 112 teams signed up for the inaugural event, while the number has expanded to over 1,000 in recent years. This year, the 42nd edition of the Baidui Cup runs through August 8 to 17. "More kids are getting involved in this traditional tournament. They learn from each other and improve their skills through matches. Their passion shows the great football atmosphere here," Yang said. In the current tournament, young players competed on football fields across six districts in Beijing, while their parents and other family members cheered for them throughout, no matter whether it was rainy or sunny in the hot summer. "The Baidui Cup is my most anticipated event in summer vacation. It is like a football party," said the 10-year-old Li Jinglin during his fifth appearance at the tournament. "I started playing football as a left wing midfielder at the age of five. Two years ago, our goalkeeper got injured, and I replaced him and have stayed in that position since. I want to defend the victory for our team." Nine-year-old forward Wang Yibo, whose parents, grandmother and younger sister are his loyal fans, made his debut in the Baidui Cup after playing football for over two years. "At first, I just hoped that he [Wang] could have better physical strength by attending football training sessions every week. Gradually, I found he was self-motivated to make progress step by step. I believe football will always accompany him as he grows up," said Wang's mother Guo Lele. As the tournament has further expanded its influence in recent years, more talents from other cities and even the rest of the world have joined this youth football festival. Coach Ma Zhiqiang brought his players from Rongjiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province to experience the Baidui Cup in Beijing for the first time this year. Rongjiang is the birthplace of China's renowned Village Super League, also known as Cun Chao. "My kids are all from the Chemin Primary School in Rongjiang. I have only been there for 10 months, but I already feel their tenacity and strong will to play. With no doubt, Cun Chao inspired them a lot, and they wish to play in front of their home audience in the future," Ma said. Children in mountainous areas generally have good leg strength but still need to polish their skills, particularly compared with young players from professional football clubs in Beijing. However, the performance of Rongjiang players at the Baidui Cup amazed everyone. Ma remarked, "My team strictly implemented the game plan. In the first half, they concentrated on defense, while in the second half, they took advantage of their physical strength to make counter-attack. We are all excited to secure several victories here." Nine-year-old Lin Qihang, captain of the Rongjiang youth team, practices for more than three hours every day after school. He said, "Playing football made me more self-disciplined. Our trip to Beijing is an opportunity to learn from other teams and see a bigger world." Travelling from thousands of miles away, Zimbabwe's 11-year-old Christiano Konono competed in the Baidui Cup with his teammates, who are all from Jadel Football Academy, a youth football club in Beijing founded by former professional player Walter Musanhu in 2019. Jadel Football Academy dispatched five age-group teams to this summer's Baidui Cup, with about 150 players from China, Zimbabwe, Japan and other countries and regions. This winter, Musanhu will lead his Chinese players to Zimbabwe to experience African football culture. "I have so much love for the kids, and they need to be encouraged. I want these kids to achieve more than what I achieved as a football player. I want these kids to have the best memories in their lives," remarked Musanhu. Reflecting on the development of the Baidui Cup, Gao Jun, secretary of Beijing Football Association, said, "As the tournament grows in popularity, we organize it annually. There is simply no reason to stop." Indeed, the Baidui Cup has become an iconic youth football tournament pillared by the enthusiasm of young generations and the support from their families. Almost all elite Beijing native football players have showed their potential in the Baidui Cup, including former Chinese national team players Shao Jiayi and Liu Ying. "A journey of more than 40 years is never easy. I hope more young players can stand out in the Baidui Cup and contribute to Chinese football and its related industries," said Shao, currently the head coach of Qingdao West Coast in Chinese Super League. Hashtag: #BaiduiCup The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Baidui Cup
The National
a day ago
- The National
Babar Azam told to improve T20 strike rate after failing to make Pakistan's Asia Cup squad
Former captain Babar Azam finds himself at a crossroads in his white-ball career after being left out of Pakistan's upcoming T20 assignments. Babar and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan were excluded from the 17-member squad for a tri-series involving Afghanistan and the UAE, and the Asia Cup, both taking place in the Emirates. Both veterans have not played a T20 International since facing South Africa last December, with team management preferring batters like Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan and others. Pakistan have emphasised intent in the shortest format, which is why their two most prolific white-ball batters find themselves out of the side even though the team lacks experience in the batting department. Coach Mike Hesson said Babar, who has scored 4,223 runs in T20Is at a strike rate of less than 130, must improve his game against spin, and also his scoring rate. 'There's no doubt Babar's been asked to improve in some areas around taking on spin and in terms of his strike rate,' Hesson said. 'Those are things he's working really hard on. But at the moment, the players we have have done exceptionally well. Sahibzada Farhan has played six games and won three player-of-the-match awards.' The Pakistan coach said Babar can still find his way back into the team if he makes a significant impact during the Big Bash T20 league later in the year in Australia. 'A player like Babar has an opportunity to play in the BBL and show he's improving in those areas in T20s. He's too good a player not to consider,' he said. Pakistan will be led by all-rounder Salman Agha, who has a strike rate of 115. However, he bowls regularly in white-ball matches, which arguably makes up for the low strike rate. For Babar and Rizwan, the writing appears to be on the wall. The Asia Cup is seen as an audition for the main event early next year – the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. The teams involved in the World Cup are likely to have finalised their core group by now, especially for the Asia Cup, which will be played in conditions fairly similar to those found in the subcontinent. There was a view that Babar could still have been selected as he guarantees some runs almost every match, which could come in handy on possibly challenging surfaces in the UAE. In the previous competition in the Emirates – the Champions Trophy earlier in the year – spin played a massive role and scoring rates were surprisingly low. However, Pakistan appear to have decided to move on from Babar and Rizwan, even if it results in short-term pain. What does not fit in this narrative, though, is the strike rates of other batters who have made the cut. Star batter Fakhar Zaman has a strike rate of 131 in T20Is while Farhan hits at 127. Captain Agha is closer to run a ball. Only Hassan Nawaz (175) and Mohammad Haris (145) have strike rates that are significantly better than Babar and Rizwan (125). That means the team management wants to take a chance with the next generation of batters who might flourish with the veterans out of the way. Whether this plan works will be known soon. Pakistan face Afghanistan and UAE in a tri-series which will take place in Sharjah from August 29 and run until September 7. They will then shift their focus to the Asia Cup, which will be held in Dubai and Abu Dhabi from September 9 to 28.
Emirates 24/7
a day ago
- Emirates 24/7
UAE's Rashid Al Mulla claims bronze at Aquabike World Championship in Indonesia
World champion and Abu Dhabi Team star Rashid Al Mulla won bronze in the opening round of the Aquabike World Championship – Grand Prix of Indonesia, Lake Toba 2025. Al Mulla, the reigning world champion in the Freestyle category, secured third place in the same discipline with 40 points, following fierce competition against some of the world's top riders. Italy's Roberto Mariani claimed first place with 50 points, while his compatriot Massimo Accumulo finished second with 44 points. The next round of the championship will be held in Olbia, Italy, from 17th to 19th October, marking the second stop of the 'Pro-Circuit' World Championship following the Indonesian opener. Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
