Sri Lanka Hosts New Zealand for Test Series

Sri Lanka will host New Zealand for a two-match Test series at Galle International Cricket Stadium from September 18 to 30, as part of the ICC World Test Championship Cycle. The first Test will include a rest day on September 21 to accommodate the country's presidential election, marking the first such occurrence since a six-day Test against Zimbabwe in 2001. This series is significant as it coincides with Sri Lanka's first presidential election since its economic crisis and sovereign default in 2022, which led to widespread protests and the resignation of the former president. New Zealand last toured Sri Lanka in 2019, where the teams drew their two-match Test series. The matches are expected to attract significant attention, given the ongoing economic and political challenges in Sri Lanka.