Sri Lanka Announce 18-Member Test Squad for Bangladesh Tour with Six Uncapped Players

Just two days before the series kicks off, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has finally announced its squad for the two-match Test series against Bangladesh. Bangladesh had already named their 16-player squad earlier, with Najmul Hossain Shanto continuing as captain. The series also marks the beginning of the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle for 2025–27. 

The biggest talking point of the series is Angelo Mathews. The Sri Lankan great is set to retire from Test cricket after the first match at the Galle International Stadium. Mathews, who made his debut in 2009 as a promising all-rounder, is now the third-highest run-scorer in Sri Lanka’s Test history. Over time, fitness concerns led him to shift fo cus solely to batting, where he built a solid middle-order career even surpassing the run tallies of legends like Sanath Jayasuriya and Marvan Atapattu during his 16-year journey.

Karunaratne’s Retirement Leaves Void at Top; New Faces Get Test Call-Up

Sri Lanka have named six uncapped players in their 18-man squad for the Bangladesh Test series. The newcomers include Lahiru Udara, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Sonal Dinusha, Pawan Ratnayake, Tharindu Ratnayake and Isitha Wijesundara. Lahiru Kumara was also initially picked, but he picked up an injury during training and has been ruled out.

Following their disappointing 0-2 defeat to Australia, Sri Lanka have made a few big changes. Five players Sa deera Samarawickrama, Ramesh Mendis, Nishan Peiris, Vishwa Fernando and Jeffrey Vandersay ha ve been dropped. With Dimuth Karunaratne having retired recently, the team will also be searching for a solid replacement at the top of the order.

Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh 2025 Tour Schedule

Sri Lanka’s Test Squad for Bangladesh Series

Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva (Captain), Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Sonal Dinusha, Pavan Rathnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya, Tharindu Ratnayake, Akila Dananjaya, Milan Rathnayake, Asitha Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Isitha Wijesundara.

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