In a ground-breaking development, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is carefully mulling over the possibility of introducing four-day Tests for smaller nations in the 2027-29 World Test Championship cycle. By truncating the match by one day, the governing body aims to help the small ICC members maximize the opportunity to play more cricket. If implemented, the change would go down as one of the most radical changes by the ICC in recent times. 

However, according to reports, three countries will be exempted from this plan. India, Australia, and England will continue to play five-day Test matches. 

See also: ICC declines India’s request to host upcoming WTC final: Report

Jay Shah offers his support for a four-day Test

According to a report published by "The Guardian" newspaper, the ICC chair Jay Shah had an interaction with the officials during the WTC Final at Lord's, where he reportedly expressed his desire to have a four-day Test setup in place before the next WTC cycle. 

"During discussions last week at the WTC final at Lord's, the ICC chair, Jay Shah, is understood to have expressed his support for four-day Tests, with a view to sanctioning them in time for the 2027-29 WTC cycle."

The report further added that countries such as India, Australia, and England are exempt from the plan and are permitted to host a five-match Test series comprising five matches for their respective bilateral series, like the Ashes, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and the newly named Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. 

The smaller nations face challenges while playing five-day Tests, as it is often tight on their already congested schedule and entails a lot of cost. But by reducing the length of a Test match, small teams can have longer series, even though the days that they play may remain short. 

"Many smaller nations are reluctant to host Tests due to the time they take out of the schedule and the cost, but a move to four-day cricket would enable an entire three-Test series to be played in less than three weeks."

The four-day Test theory is not new to the ICC. The global cricketing body has previously sanctioned four-day Tests in the past. Four-day Tests came into existence for bilateral competitions in 2017. England itself took part in some of those games. They faced Zimbabwe in a one-off four-day Test earlier last month, and also played against Ireland back in 2019 and 2023 in a one-off showdown as well.

Bangladesh are touring Sri Lanka for a full tour from June 17 to July 16, 2025, and will play 2 Tests, 3 ODIs , and 4 T20Is. This tour is crucial for both sides since it comprises of World Test Championship games and will act as a buildup for the ICC Champions Trophy. Fans in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the rest of the world can watch the matches live on TV and online. Here is how you can watch all the action live.

 Today’s Match – 1st Test: Day 1

• Match: Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh – 1st Test, Day 1
• Date: June 17, 2025
• Venue: Galle International Stadium, Sri Lanka
• Start Time: 10:00 AM IST | 4:30 AM GMT

Player Battles
Najmul Hossain Shanto - Prabath Jayasuriya
Shanto’s temperament to play spin will be tested on a spinning Galle track by Jayasuriya’s sharp left-arm spin.

Mushfiqur Rahim vs Kasun Rajitha 42 of 26 balls (1 four & 3 sixes) –
 Rajitha’s ability to swing it upfront and bowl a disciplined line could give Mushfiqur a few problems during the new ball period.

Angelo Mathews v Mehidy Hasan Miraz
Mathews’ slow-batting tactics may not go down well with the tight off-spin of Mehidy pushing it to be a battle of attrition.

Kusal Mendis vs Taijul Islam
How effectively Taijul traps Mendis LBW could be a defining factor in Sri Lanka’s middle order resistance.

ALSO READ:SL vs BAN Dream11 Prediction 1st Test match Fantasy Cricket Tips, Probable Playing XI

SL vs BAN Probable Playing XIs:

Bangladesh Probable Playing XIs

Litton Das, Anamul Haque, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Jaker Ali (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nayeem Hasan, Taijul Islam, Ebadot Hossain, Hasan Mahmud

Sri Lanka Probable Playing XIs

Oshada Fernando, Pathum Nissanka, Pavan Rathnayake, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Akila Dananjaya, Dhananjaya de Silva (c), Angelo Mathews, Kasun Rajitha, Milan Rathnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya

Bangladesh are touring Sri Lanka for a full tour from June 17 to July 16, 2025, and will play 2 Tests, 3 ODIs , and 4 T20Is. This tour is crucial for both sides since it comprises of World Test Championship games and will act as a buildup for the ICC Champions Trophy. Fans in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the rest of the world can watch the matches live on TV and online. Here is how you can watch all the action live.

 Today’s Match – 1st Test: Day 1

• Match: Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh – 1st Test, Day 1
• Date: June 17, 2025
• Venue: Galle International Stadium, Sri Lanka
• Start Time: 10:00 AM IST | 4:30 AM GMT

Live streaming Details:

TV Broadcast

• India: Sony Sports Network
• Sri Lanka: Siyatha TV, Ten Cricket
• Pakistan: Ten Sports
• Bangladesh: Nagorik TV
• United Kingdom: TNT Sports
• Africa: SuperSport

Online Streaming 

• India: Sony LIV, FanCode
• Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka Cricket YouTube Channel (Free)
• Pakistan: (Usually through Ten Sports digital platforms or YouTube if available)
• Bangladesh: (Check Toffee app or live streams via Nagorik TV online)
• Global: Sri Lanka Cricket YouTube (Free for many neutral viewers)

ALSO READ:SL vs BAN Dream11 Prediction 1st Test match Fantasy Cricket Tips, Probable Playing XI

SL vs BAN Probable Playing XIs:

Bangladesh Probable Playing XIs

Litton Das, Anamul Haque, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Jaker Ali (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nayeem Hasan, Taijul Islam, Ebadot Hossain, Hasan Mahmud

Sri Lanka Probable Playing XIs

Oshada Fernando, Pathum Nissanka, Pavan Rathnayake, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Akila Dananjaya, Dhananjaya de Silva (c), Angelo Mathews, Kasun Rajitha, Milan Rathnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya

Two days after the WTC Cycle Ends a new one starts. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, sides who have struggled in the last WTC Cycle are back in. Sri Lanka for their part were at least in contention until the last series and could have made it through winning their last four Tests. They only play 12 tests in the next cycle which is a disappointment on their own accord and a new era begins with Dimuth Karunaratne retired and Angelo Mathews retiring after the first Test.

SL vs BAN Match Details

Date: June 17th, 2025

Time:  3:00 PM IST

Venue: Galle International Stadium

SL vs BAN Weather Report

Rain is in the forecast for all five days of the Test.

Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh Pitch Report

Pitches are likely to be helpful for slow bowling and batting could be a better option with recent first innings scores going high into the 600s.

See Also Truth Behind Nicholas Pooran's retirement

SL vs BAN Head to Head

SL vs BAN Predicted Playing XI

Bangladesh Playing XI 

Shadman Islam, Anamul Haque, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Jaker Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nayeem Hasan, Taijul Islam, Hasan Murad, Hasan Mahmud

Sri Lanka Playing XI

Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis, Tharindu Ratnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya, Akila Dhananjaya, Asitha Fernando

Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh Players to Watch

Mehidy Hasan Miraz

Mehidy Hasan is one of the standout players in the line-up now stepping up in the absence of Shakib Al Hasan.

Dinesh Chandimal

Dinesh Chandimal has earnt a lot of respect in and recovered well in the last year. Returns are solid and he remains a key threat.

Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh Match Tips

Sri Lanka at home are favorites and come in with a lot of ambition.

Match Prediction: Sri Lanka Will Win the Match