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0 Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons expressed satisfaction and confidence on Tuesday (June 24), saying that his team is in good spirits ahead of the second Test match against Sri Lanka, set to begin in Colombo. The upbeat comments come after a solid performance in the first Test in Galle, which ended in a draw and gave the visitors a rare positive start to a Test series.
In recent history, Bangladesh has often struggled in the opening matches of a series. However, their performance in Galle showed promise, especially given the tough conditions and their past record against stronger opposition.
A Rare Strong Start for Bangladesh
Speaking to reporters ahead of the second Test, Simmons said:
“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.”
The first Test in Galle was not just a drawn game — it was a morale-booster. The team showed greater focus, sharper fielding, and stronger partnerships with both bat and ball. Simmons emphasized that preparations done earlier in Dhaka helped the team avoid the usual slow start.
“The morale has been excellent from the start. The guys did their work in Dhaka so that we could hit the ground running here,” he added.
Team Spirit and Readiness
According to Simmons, the mood in the dressing room is upbeat, and players are both physically recovered and mentally fresh after the break between the two matches.
“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 also commented on the pitch conditions in Colombo:
“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.”
Simmons stressed that the team is aiming not just to maintain but improve on their first Test performance. The focus will be on consistency and fixing minor areas that could give them an edge.
Team Selection Still Uncertain
One of the biggest decisions facing the team is the bowling combination. Bangladesh needs to choose between playing three seamers or three spinners, depending on the pitch conditions.
The inclusion of Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who missed the first Test due to fever, is almost certain. This puts pressure on Nayeem Hasan, who impressed with a five-wicket haul in Galle but may have to sit out if the team goes with only two spinners.
“That decision will be made later today, depending on what we see in the pitch,” Simmons said. “That’s the hard part. Nayeem had a wonderful game in Galle, so leaving him out would be tough.”
He added that the coaching and selection team always works to make sure every player understands the decisions are made in the best interest of the team.
“Everyone understands that selection depends on conditions and what’s best for the team. We always try to ensure everyone’s on the same page.”
This balanced approach to squad selection is something Crichourly has highlighted before, as Bangladesh continues to develop depth in both their spin and pace departments.
What to Expect in Colombo?
From the Sri Lankan camp, captain Dhananjaya de Silva shared his thoughts on the upcoming game, predicting a high-scoring match due to the nature of the Colombo pitch.
“It looks like it’s going to be a good batting wicket. We need our top-order batters to take responsibility,” said de Silva.
He stressed the importance of putting up big totals in the first innings, saying that doing so will allow Sri Lanka to apply pressure on Bangladesh.
“We can only put the opposition under pressure when we score enough runs. That has to be our main goal.”
This reflects a shift in focus for Sri Lanka, who will rely on senior players like Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis, and Angelo Mathews to set the tone early.
Bangladesh’s Goals for the 2nd Test
From Bangladesh’s point of view, the second Test is more than just about avoiding defeat—it’s about pushing for a rare away-series win in the subcontinent. After back-to-back drawn series against West Indies (November 2024) and Zimbabwe (April 2025), the team is hungry for a decisive result.
Key focus areas for Bangladesh:
Improving their batting partnerships, especially in the middle order
Choosing the right bowling attack for Colombo’s conditions
Keeping team morale and fitness high through the final days of the tour
Crichourly’s match prediction experts believe that if Bangladesh plays to its strengths — especially in spin-friendly conditions — they could edge out Sri Lanka in Colombo.
Crichourly’s Take: Time for Bangladesh to Capitalize
At Crichourly, we’ve seen Bangladesh show flashes of brilliance before — but too often, they’ve failed to follow up a good performance with another strong showing. What stands out this time is the clear mental shift under Phil Simmons’ leadership. The team seems more disciplined, confident, and eager to compete in every session.
With Mehidy Hasan returning and the bowling unit performing well in Galle, Bangladesh has a real chance to make a statement in this second Test. The decision between Nayeem and Mehidy may be difficult, but it shows the healthy competition and growing bench strength the team now has.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka at home is never easy. Their batting lineup has experience and their bowlers know the conditions inside out. So, Bangladesh will need to be sharp from ball one.
Final Word:
As both teams gear up for the Colombo clash, one thing is clear — this isn’t the same old Bangladesh. They’ve started strong, and now, the challenge is to finish stronger. Can they rise above the “draw” narrative and push for victory? Crichourly will be watching closely.
Stay tuned for match previews, live score updates, and expert analysis — only on Crichourly.
