GALLE (SNP Report): Bangladesh squandered a golden opportunity to seal a rare away Test win, as the series opener against Sri Lanka ended in a rain-affected draw in Galle.
Despite holding a commanding 251-run lead and having 50 overs at their disposal after a delayed start, the visitors chose a conservative approach, allowing the match to drift to a stalemate. The final day began with hope for a result, but a prolonged rain delay reduced the morning session to just 80 minutes. However, even with enough time to push for a win, Bangladesh opted to bat on rather than declare early.
Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto completed his second century of the match, an exceptional individual feat, but the decision to prolong the innings arguably cost Bangladesh a chance at only their second-ever Test win over Sri Lanka. By the time Shanto declared the second innings closed at 285-6, nearly an hour of valuable playtime had been consumed. That decision ultimately left Sri Lanka with just enough breathing space to survive the final session, closing on 72-4.
Shanto’s performance was nonetheless historic. He joined an elite group of only 15 batters in Test cricket history to score centuries in both innings of a match on two separate occasions, a feat he first achieved against Afghanistan in 2023. His 125* in the second innings followed a composed 148 in the first, anchoring Bangladesh’s batting effort alongside Mushfiqur Rahim (163) and Litton Das (90).
In reply to Sri Lanka’s first innings total of 485, led by Pathum Nissanka’s career-best 187 and Kamindu Mendis’ 87, Bangladesh edged ahead with a strong 495-run reply, thanks to centuries from Shanto and Rahim. Off-spinner Nayeem Hasan was the standout bowler for the tourists with 5-121 in the first innings and later removed Nissanka in the second innings with a delivery that dipped and turned sharply. Taijul Islam provided excellent support with 3-23, triggering a mini-collapse, but the target proved too far with limited time.
Sri Lanka, under pressure for just over one session, held on. Chandimal and Mathews were removed, but Bangladesh’s delayed declaration meant the hosts were never truly under threat of defeat. Bangladesh have now won only seven away Tests in their history and will rue missing this rare opening.
SCORES IN BRIEF: SRI LANKA 485 and 72-4 (Nissanka 24, Taijul 3-23, Nayeem 1-29) drew with BANGLADESH 495 and 285-6d (Shanto 125*, Shadman 76, Rahim 49, T Rathnayake 3-102).
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