Sri Lanka is facing a worrying situation with its Test cricket schedule, as the team is set to play just four matches in 2025 and six in 2026. This sharp drop in Test matches shows how the format is being pushed aside in favor of shorter, more profitable formats like T20s. Angelo Mathews, one of Sri Lanka’s most experienced players, has openly expressed his frustration, stressing how vital Test cricket is for the sport’s legacy.

Looking at the schedule, the problem becomes clear. In 2025, Sri Lanka starts with a two-match Test series against Australia, which is crucial for their hopes of making it to the World Test Championship (WTC) final. But after that, there’s a massive five-month break before they play another two-Test series against Bangladesh. The next Test series after that doesn’t happen until mid-2026, creating a long gap that could disrupt the team’s rhythm and the players’ growth.

In 2026, Sri Lanka has just three series lined up: two Tests each against West Indies in June, India in August, and Pakistan in October and November. This limited schedule highlights how nations like Sri Lanka are being sidelined in Test cricket compared to powerhouses like India, Australia, and England.

For Mathews, who is now 37 and nearing the end of an incredible career, this reduced schedule makes it even harder to reach his dream of scoring 10,000 Test runs. So far, only two Sri Lankans—Kumar Sangakkara (12,400 runs) and Mahela Jayawardena (11,814 runs)—have achieved this milestone. Mathews currently has 8,042 runs from 116 Tests at an average of 44.92, including 16 centuries and 44 half-centuries. But with nearly 2,000 more runs needed to hit 10,000, time is running out.

“It’s really disappointing to have so few Tests,” Mathews said. “Waiting a year between matches breaks your rhythm and affects everything—from careers to team performance. I hope the ICC and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) can fix this with fairer scheduling.”

Dimuth Karunaratne, Sri Lanka’s former Test captain, also faces challenges with this schedule. The opener will play his 100th Test during the series against Australia but isn’t sure how long he can continue playing if such long gaps persist. Like Mathews, Karunaratne has his eyes on the 10,000-run mark but has only managed 7,165 runs in 98 Tests so far.

“I still hope I can reach 10,000 runs,” Karunaratne said. “But it depends on my form and fitness—and this lack of games doesn’t help.”

This issue isn’t just about senior players. The lack of Test matches also hurts young cricketers who need this format to build key skills like endurance, strategy, and mental strength. With the rise of T20 leagues and shorter formats taking center stage, there’s a real risk of developing a generation of players unprepared for the challenges of Test cricket.

Mathews’ concerns go beyond Sri Lanka’s struggles; they serve as a warning to the global cricket community. Test cricket is often called the “pinnacle” of the sport because it pushes players to their limits and creates some of cricket’s most iconic moments. But with T20 leagues booming and limited-over formats dominating schedules, Test cricket faces an uncertain future. The ICC must step up to ensure a fairer distribution of matches so this historic format doesn’t fade away.

Despite these obstacles, Mathews remains hopeful about Sri Lanka’s WTC chances. If they can beat Australia 2-0 in their upcoming series at home—and if other results go their way—they could secure a spot in the WTC final for the first time ever.

“We’ve got two games left against Australia, and we’re going all out to win both and end this series strong,” Mathews said. “We’ve done really well in this WTC cycle, which is why we’re still in the race. If we’d managed just one win in South Africa earlier, our position would’ve been much stronger. Now we’re hoping for results to fall in our favor elsewhere while we focus on getting a clean sweep against Australia.”

Sri Lanka currently sits fifth in the WTC standings with five wins and six losses. They’re relying on India to level their series against Australia in Sydney for any chance to make it to the final. If Australia wins that match, Sri Lanka’s hopes will be dashed. But even without reaching the final, a strong showing at home with a 2-0 win would prove how competitive they’ve been during this WTC cycle.

This situation underlines an urgent need for action—not just for Sri Lanka but for Test cricket as a whole. Without fair schedules and more frequent matches, the sport risks losing its most demanding and prestigious format.