Bangladesh will participate in 12 matches in the new World Test Championship cycle from 2025 to 2027, starting with a two-match series against Sri Lanka. Their record has improved since the championship began, though they still face challenges with only 5 wins from 31 Tests. The teams will engage in a mix of home and away series, with the final set to occur at Lord’s in 2027. Notably, they have shown positive results against several opponents in recent series.
DHAKA, June 15, 2025 (BSS) – Bangladesh is gearing up for a packed schedule in the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) cycle set to run from 2025 to 2027. This new cycle follows the conclusion of the last one, where South Africa claimed the championship title, shaking off their previous moniker as ‘Chokers’. In the previous cycle, Bangladesh finished seventh with four victories out of 12 matches, a mixed bag indeed.
The country is set to play 12 matches in this new cycle, mirroring their participation in the last. Bangladesh will kick things off with a two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, starting on June 17 in Galle, followed by the second Test in Colombo on June 25. These games mark the beginning of the fourth WTC cycle, highlighting Bangladesh’s ongoing journey in this international arena.
Over the course of the 12 matches, six will be hosted on home soil while the other six will see them on the road. Home games will include battles against Pakistan, West Indies, and England. On the flip side, they will be visiting Sri Lanka, South Africa, and Australia. Each of these matchups will consist of two Tests, keeping the format consistent with prior cycles.
Historically, the last WTC cycle was a significant step forward for Bangladesh; they achieved more successes compared to previous competitions. Previously, in the inaugural WTC cycle from 2019 to 2021, Bangladesh played seven matches without a single win. They improved slightly in the second cycle from 2021 to 2023, snagging just one victory from 12 matches.
As they step back into action, memories from their 100th Test victory against Sri Lanka linger positively for the team. Despite nearly 25 years in elite cricket, Bangladesh’s performance record remains shaky. Still, since the inception of the WTC, their efforts and results have gradually improved, reflecting their development on the field.
In total, Bangladesh has participated in 31 Tests during all three cycles, claiming only five wins, while drawing two and enduring 24 losses. Like before, nine teams are in this year’s tournament, each competing in six series—three at home and three away. The points system hasn’t changed, rewarding teams with 12 points for a win, four for a draw, and six for a tie.
Interestingly, this year’s match count has increased slightly, bringing the total to 71 matches across 27 series, where each series will consist of a minimum of two and a maximum of five matches. The fourth cycle’s final is tentatively set to take place at Lord’s in June 2027, which would be a prestigious venue for concluding the championship.
In terms of match load, Australia tops the list with 22 matches scheduled, while England will play 21. Interestingly, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have the fewest matches at 12 for this cycle. This makes it the sole Test series for Bangladesh in 2025. Their remaining engagements are spread out over 2026 and 2027.
Following their opening series against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh will host Pakistan in March 2026 before heading to Australia in August for their first Test series down under since 2003. They’ll then welcome the West Indies for a home series in October 2026, followed by a tour of South Africa in November. Their final series will be at home against England in February 2027, marking their first encounter with the English side since 2016.
One encouraging factor for Bangladesh is their recent performance against some of these upcoming rivals. They remain unbeaten in their last series against four of the six teams on their list—drawing with Australia, England, and West Indies, and claiming a stunning 2-0 win over Pakistan.
In summary, Bangladesh is set to embark on another competitive journey in the World Test Championship, starting with their series against Sri Lanka. With 12 matches on the slate and a mix of home and away games, fans are keen to see if the team can build on their past performances. Despite a rocky history in Test cricket, the gradual improvement since the WTC’s inception raises hopes for the future. Time will tell how they fare in the tough competition ahead.
Original Source: www.bssnews.net
