Sports
A lot at stake in Sri Lanka – South Africa Tests
Rex Clementine in Durban
Sri Lanka’s cricketers wrapped up their final training session in Durban yesterday, exuding a sense of calm confidence ahead of the two-match Test series against South Africa. Touring South Africa has historically been a trial by fire, with fiery fast bowlers and hostile pitches ready to humble visiting teams. But times have changed. With past victories on these shores under their belt, Sri Lanka seems to have cracked the code, proving that no mountain is too high to climb.
Both teams have their eyes firmly set on the World Test Championship final, adding extra spice to this series. Sri Lanka currently sit third in the standings, just behind Australia and India, with New Zealand and South Africa hot on their heels. A series victory here could put either team in the driver’s seat for a spot at Lord’s next year, where the grand finale awaits.
To prepare for this crucial assignment, Sri Lanka’s Test squad landed in South Africa ten days early for a residential camp, guided by former Proteas batter Neil McKenzie, who previously served as South Africa’s batting coach.
Skipper Dhananjaya de Silva was quick to highlight the value of McKenzie’s expertise.
“Neil McKenzie ran some excellent batting sessions for us. He’s played a lot of cricket and shared vital insights—like how to handle the bounce and what to expect from the conditions here. The sessions were really productive,” Dhananjaya told reporters.
The Sri Lankan captain, who was part of the historic series win in 2019 when Sri Lanka became the first and only Asian team to win a Test series in South Africa, remains grounded despite past glories.
“We can draw confidence from that series, but what’s done is done. This is a new challenge, and we have to start from scratch. The pitch looks flat, but we’ll decide on our combination after another look,” he said.
Dhananjaya also emphasized the importance of finishing 2024 on a high.
“We’ve had a fantastic year in Test cricket, and it’s crucial to cap it off with strong performances. Every Test matters, and winning away from home is a huge source of pride for us. We pushed England hard earlier this year and were disappointed not to win that series, but it was satisfying to get a Test victory there,” he added.
South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma acknowledged Sri Lanka’s resilience, particularly in adapting to pace-heavy conditions.
“If Sri Lanka were vulnerable against fast bowling, they wouldn’t be sitting third in the Test Championship standings. They’ve performed well across different conditions. Playing in South Africa is always tough, but I’m sure their preparations will help them meet the challenge head-on,” Bavuma said.
Bavuma also tipped his hat to Sri Lanka’s middle-order sensation Kamindu Mendis, who has been in red-hot form in 2024. The 25-year-old has scored five centuries and three fifties in just seven Tests this year, making him the backbone of Sri Lanka’s batting lineup.
“I haven’t played much against him, so it’ll be interesting to see him in action. But we’ve done our homework and have plans in place for him. The guy’s been phenomenal, anchoring their middle order. We respect his ability but won’t be caught off guard,” Bavuma noted.
Sri Lanka (Probable XI):
Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (Captain), Kusal Mendis (Wicketkeeper), Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando.
South Africa (From):
Temba Bavuma (Captain), David Bedingham, Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickleton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (Wicketkeeper), Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada.
Fourteen-year-old opener Miyuru Bandara produced a remarkable batting performance to guide DS Senanayake College to a commanding position on the opening day of their annual Big Match against arch rivals Mahanama College at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground on Friday.
Electing to bat first in a weather-interrupted day one, D. S. Senanayake ended on 195 for four wickets, largely due to the vauable century by their Under-15 opening batsman Bandara.
Displaying maturity beyond his age, Bandara anchored the innings while building two crucial partnerships at the top of the order. He first added 67 runs for the opening wicket with Sithru Gunarathna before combining in a 51-run stand for the second wicket with Bihan Gamage.
The young opener occupied the crease for more than 55 overs and frustrated the Mahanama bowling attack with a patient yet authoritative knock. His innings finally came to an end when he became the first wicket claimed by Chamika Heenatigala, who finished the day with two wickets.
Bandara’s memorable innings included 13 boundaries and a six as he faced 156 deliveries, placing DS Senanayake firmly in control at the close of play on the rain-affected first day.
This series picks up from Bangladesh’s finest red-ball hour against arguably Pakistan’s bleakest one. Two years ago, Bangladesh came to Pakistan with six away Test wins in their history, and increased that tally by two in two weeks. Pakistan had never lost a Test to Bangladesh before that, but during late summer 2024 in Rawalpindi, a page turned in their cricketing relations.
This time around, the series takes place at an odd, off-kilter time. Neither side has played any Test cricket in six months, with Bangladesh’s last series a straightforward home wipeout of Ireland. Pakistan hosted South Africa in October, splitting the two Tests down the middle. This is the only red-ball international cricket Pakistan have played in 14 months.
Pakistan have filled that time going all in on T20 cricket, preparing for the recent T20 World Cup, before throwing themselves into a full PSL season. There will be just four days between the end of the PSL and the first day in Mirpur.
Bangladesh, meanwhile, have endured a more barren time. They refused to travel to India for the T20 World Cup and that has meant their only international cricket all year was an ODI series against Pakistan and New Zealand’s visit for a white-ball series [ODIs and T20Is]. Wins in all three mean they have a perfect record in international series in 2026 – a record that Pakistan will hope to put to a sterner test than they managed two years ago.
In 2024, Bangladesh’s seam attack outshone Pakistan’s, with Hasan Mahmud and Taskin Ahmed’s movement, and Nahid Rana’s rapid pace, causing more trouble than their Pakistani counterparts. If anything, Rana is in even better form, cutting Pakistan down in the sides’ ODI series, before shining in the recent PSL final for Zalmi, for which the BCB granted him special permission. Bangladesh’s four-man pace attack also includes Shoriful Islam and Ebadot Hossain, alongside Rana and Taskin, and could pose its own challenges against Pakistan.
Pakistan may hope the pitches allow a spin-bowling face-off instead. Soon after Bangladesh’s humbling of Pakistan in that 2024 series, Pakistan volte-faced from playing an all-seam attack in the first Test. Instead, their pitches assisted spin from ball one. To exploit that, Sajid Khan and Noman Ali have run riot on accommodating surfaces. If Mirpur offers assistance for the spinners, Pakistan will feel confident they have the personnel to go toe-to-toe with the hosts.
Mushfique Rahim struck a century in his 100th Test, against Ireland in November last year. He will take fresh guard against Pakistan, despite speculation about his impending retirement. Mushfiqur has resisted being pushed towards the end unless he wants to. His 191 against Pakistan in Rawalpindi was a testament to his hunger for runs, as was his celebration during this milestone 100th Test against Ireland. Mushfiqur remains a vital cog in the Bangladesh middle-order. Pakistan will be wary of him, particularly in Dhaka.
Sajid Khan has found his international opportunities limited to home Tests, but this wasn’t always the case. His first six Test matches all took place away from home, with his finest away moment coming in Bangladesh, at this very ground in Mirpur. With rain laying waste to the best part of three days of that Test, Sajid wrenched the game from the clutches of the weather. He took eight wickets in Bangladesh’s first innings, to bowl them out for 87, and narrowly force a follow-on. Four more in the second innings saw Bangladesh bowled out on the fifth evening, giving Pakistan a sensational innings win. This series is perhaps Sajid’s best chance to demonstrate he remains useful outside Pakistan.
Bangladesh are likely to bring in Taskin Ahmed and Nahid Rana in place of Khaled Ahmed and Hasan Murad, respectively. Shoriful Islam’s white-ball form would put pressure on Ebadot Hossain’s place.
Pakistan have been dealt a blow with Babar Azam* ruled out of the opening Test due to a left knee injury. His absence leaves a hole which is likely to be filled in by a debutant. The visitors will likely go in with two spinners in Sajid and Noman, which leaves them a choice of two of four fast bowlers. With Imam-ul-Haq back in the side, Pakistan are expected to hand a debut to one of Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal at the top of the order.
Bangladesh (probable): Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana
Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Fazal/Azan Awais, Shan Masood (capt), Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Amad Butt, Shaheen Afridi, Noman Ali, Khurram Shahzad/Hasan Ali, Sajid Khan
[Cricinfo]
Showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva, North-western and North-central provinces and in Galle, Matara and Mannar districts.
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