Testing times for Test cricket: Is the ICC failing the rest?

The recently concluded two-match Test series between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh highlighted the intricacies of Test cricket, which is hailed as the pinnacle of the sport.

- Ayampillai Dharmakulasingham, Retired Sri Lankan Diplomat

Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto scored two brilliant centuries against a strong Sri Lankan spin attack at Galle — a venue long regarded as a fortress for Sri Lanka in Test cricket. It was a masterclass from Shanto, and there is no doubt that he has joined the prestigious group of legendary batters who have scored a century in each innings of a Test match. Sri Lanka was partly saved by the intervention of rain and a tactical blunder in the declaration made by skipper Shanto. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s batters almost matched Bangladesh's first-innings total, and their performance speaks volumes about the potential of the Sri Lankan batting lineup. The beauty of Test cricket — the pinnacle of the sport -has been repeatedly demonstrated not only in Sri Lanka but also on Australian and English pitches by teams outside the so-called "big three" of the cricketing world. Sri Lanka’s opening batsman Pathum Nissanka showcased this brilliance when he blasted 127 runs in 2024 at the Kia Oval in England, steering his team to a historic victory. Similarly, the recent resurgence of the West Indies, marked by their remarkable win over Australia in the 2024 Gabba Test, proves that Test cricket thrives when all nations are given a fair opportunity. Sri Lanka’s debut Test tour to England remains unforgettable, particularly the Lord’s Test match, where Sidath Wettimuny scored a magnificent 190. That match also featured a masterclass f