Veteran Sri Lankan cricketer Angelo Mathews has expressed profound disappointment with the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding Sri Lanka’s sparse Test match schedule for 2025. According to the ICC’s Future Tours Program (FTP), Sri Lanka is slated to play only four Test matches throughout the year. Mathews took to social media to voice his concerns, stating, “Absolutely shocking to hear that Sri Lanka is only playing four Test matches this entire year, including the Australia Tests this month.”
The scheduled fixtures include a two-match Test series against Australia, concluding by mid-February, followed by another two-Test series against Bangladesh in June. This limited number of matches has raised alarms among players and fans, especially considering Sri Lanka’s recent resurgence in Test cricket. The team was a strong contender for the World Test Championship (WTC) final until the last stages of the cycle.
Mathews’ criticism comes amid discussions within the ICC about a proposed two-tier Test system, which could further marginalize teams outside the so-called “Big Three” cricketing nations: India, Australia, and England. Reports suggest that ICC Chairman Jay Shah is set to meet with officials from Cricket Australia and the England and Wales Cricket Board to explore this proposal.
The proposed two-tier system, initially suggested in 2016, would place the top seven nations in Division 1, with the remaining teams in Division 2. Critics argue that such a system could reduce revenue and opportunities for lower-ranked teams, exacerbating existing disparities in international cricket.
Sri Lanka’s limited Test schedule not only affects the players’ opportunities to compete at the highest level but also impacts the development of the sport within the country. Fewer matches mean reduced exposure for emerging talents and less engagement for cricket fans, potentially hindering the growth of the game.
In 2026, Sri Lanka is scheduled to host three two-Test series against the West Indies, India, and Pakistan. However, the cumulative number of matches remains low compared to other cricketing nations, raising questions about the criteria used in scheduling and the equitable distribution of fixtures among member countries.
Mathews’ outspoken stance highlights a broader concern about the future of Test cricket, especially for nations outside the dominant cricketing economies. The ICC faces the challenge of balancing commercial interests with the need to promote and sustain the traditional format of the game across all its member nations.