When Bangladesh starts their new cycle of the World Test Championship in Galle against Sri Lanka, the spotlight will be on the allrounder Angelo Mathews, who is set to end his Test career with this match against the familiar foes.
The first match of the two-Test series will be played at the Galle International Stadium from Tuesday, starting at 10:30 am (Bangladesh time), UNB reports.
The 36-year-old allrounder, Mathews, confirmed during a press conference on Monday that the upcoming match would mark the end of his 15-year-long journey in Test cricket.
“This is a special moment. I’ve had a long and fulfilling Test career and I think it’s the right time to move on,” said Mathews, who has played 107 Tests since his debut in 2009.
This farewell, however, comes against a team that stirs painful memories. During the 2023 ODI World Cup, Mathews was controversially declared timed out against Bangladesh after he failed to take strike within the allotted time due to a broken helmet strap.
Then-captain Shakib Al Hasan did not withdraw the appeal, making Mathews the first cricketer to be dismissed in such fashion in international cricket.
At the time, Mathews called it a disgrace. Now, reflecting on the incident, he says he has let go of the anger.
“It was unfortunate and frustrating, but I have moved on. I don’t hold any grudges. The Bangladesh players are my friends. They’ve always treated me well,” he said. Mathews revealed that match officials had later reviewed the footage and expressed regret over the decision.
Despite those past tensions, Mathews has fond memories of Bangladesh. He lifted the 2014 T20 World Cup trophy in Dhaka and has played frequently in domestic cricket, including the BPL and Dhaka Premier League.
“I’ve enjoyed my time in Bangladesh. I’ve always had a good rapport with the players and fans there,” he added.
For Bangladesh, the Test marks a fresh beginning after a mixed run in red-ball cricket. They lost one of two Tests against Zimbabwe in their last series but bounced back in the second match.
Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto wants his team to focus on the positives.
“We made a strong comeback in the last match, and that’s the memory I want to carry into this series,” he said.
Shanto remained tight-lipped about his batting position and the final playing XI. Bangladesh have only two specialist openers in the squad, and Shanto has opened in Tests before.
“I don’t want the opposition to get an early idea about our plans. The final XI will depend on our combination—and that includes Miraz’s availability,” he said.
Allrounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz, recently named Bangladesh’s ODI captain, is recovering from fever and missed the first day of training. His inclusion or absence will significantly shape the team’s balance.
Bangladesh’s record against Sri Lanka in Tests is modest—just one win in 26 matches—but that lone victory came in Galle during their 100th Test match in 2017.
Shanto hopes the experience of playing in Sri Lankan conditions and the motivation to start a new WTC cycle will strongly inspire his team.
