Pathum Nissanka and Dinesh Chandimal put together an unbeaten 102-run stand as Sri Lanka went to Tea on 190-1, trailing Bangladesh by 57 runs on Day 2 of the second Test in Colombo today.

On the silver jubilee of realising the Test dream, the former Bangladesh Cricket Board and Asian Cricket Council official talked to The Daily Star's Samsul Arefin Khan about how they achieved the Test status.

“There is no way that Bangladesh cricket, with the present system, can operate at the Test match level in less than 10 years. I give you that and I stand the challenge on that. To push forward will be suicidal as far as our cricket is concerned.”

On the occasion of Bangladesh’s 25 years in Test cricket, former national opener Biddut spoke to The Daily Star, reflecting on the historic phase and what transpired afterwards, and more.

Bangladesh batters could not capitalise on their starts, nor did they take advantage of the dropped chances offered by Sri Lankan fielders on day one of the Colombo Test, which saw the hosts in the driving seat at Sinhalese Sports Club Ground yesterday.

Bangladesh will aim for a rare slice of history when they take on Sri Lanka in the second and final Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground in Colombo today, hoping to seal their first-ever Test series victory over the hosts.

With Miraz available for selection, Bashar feels that Bangladesh have the option of picking five bowlers in Colombo Test.

Bangladesh allrounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who had to sit out the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle owing to fever, is available for selection for the second and final Test in Colombo after recovering.

Taijul Islam and Nayeem Hasan struck once each as Bangladesh have reduced Sri Lanka to 34-2 in eight overs at Tea chasing 296, as the visitors are now eight wickets away from what could be a memorable win on the fifth and final day of the first Test in Galle today.

Bangladesh ended the penultimate day of the Galle Test as the happier of the two sides thanks to opener Shadman Islam's 76 and skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto's unbeaten 56 as the visitors have reached 177-3 at stumps to lead Sri Lanka by 187 runs heading into the final day.

Litton Das had to walk back to the pavilion at the Galle International Stadium on the second day of Bangladesh’s first Test against Sri Lanka yesterday, falling just 10 runs short of what could have been his fifth Test century.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will accord a reception to its inaugural Test members on June 26 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium to mark the 25th anniversary of receiving Test status.

For Bangladesh, the 2023–25 cycle marked a step forward.

The Bangladesh cricket team has long epitomised an on-again, off-again pattern -- considering their enduring struggle with inconsistency across all formats.

Currently ranked 10th in the ICC ODI rankings -- their lowest position in two decades -- Bangladesh are in need of a turnaround, and Miraz hopes the team can rise from this slump and see the Tigers transform into a settled ODI side within a year.

In Bangladesh’s last Test tour of Sri Lanka in 2021, Praveen Jayawickrama picked up 11 wickets in the Kandy Test to see the hosts win by 209 runs and clinch the series 1-0.

Evolving and growing through every phase of life is a natural phenomenon. For most, this brings about positive changes. But for the Bangladesh cricket team, the exact opposite is the case, as in every new series and tour, the Tigers unlock new problem areas in their game.

In his address, the former Bangladesh captain stressed the urgent need to launch four new development programmes. However, there were no discussions about elections or constitutional reforms.

A key aspect of the preparations will be adapting to the slightly spin-friendly pitch at Galle, where the first Test is scheduled to begin on June 17.

It was 2005 when an 18-year-old Mushfiqur, a surprise inclusion in Bangladesh’s squad for their maiden tour of England, debuted at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground.