C T Online Desk: Mushfiqur Rahim and Najmul Hossain Shanto struck sublime centuries and shared an unbroken 247-run partnership to put Bangladesh firmly in control at the end of Day 1 of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. The visitors closed the day on 292 for 3 in 90 overs after electing to bat on a dry, batter-friendly surface.
The pair came together when Bangladesh were in early trouble at 45 for 3, and from there on, they never looked back. Shanto, the skipper, led with authority to notch up his second Test ton against Sri Lanka — a composed 136 off 260 deliveries with 14 boundaries and a six. It was his first Test century since November 2023, and he ensured it was a long one.
Mushfiqur, meanwhile, brought up his 12th Test hundred and fourth against Sri Lanka, batting with trademark patience and finesse. His unbeaten 105 off 186 balls included five boundaries and plenty of calm under pressure. The veteran’s presence steadied the innings and complemented Shanto’s control.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers, despite trying 90 overs on the first day, failed to find breakthroughs after the morning session. Debutant spinner Tharindu Rathnayake was the only bowler among the wickets, having earlier dismissed Shadman Islam and Mominul Haque.
Bangladesh’s batting discipline and the maturity of the fourth-wicket pair were the defining features of the day. On a surface expected to deteriorate in the latter half of the Test, the visitors have laid the perfect foundation for a substantial first-innings total.
Earlier, Bangladesh were reduced to 90 for 3 within the first session after debutant spinner Tharindu Rathnayake picked up two wickets and Asitha Fernando struck early. But since then, it’s been all about the calm and calculated resistance from Bangladesh’s middle order.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers toiled hard in the heat but were left wicketless in both the second and third sessions. Tharindu, despite his early success, ended his 26 overs with figures of 2 for 108, while Prabath Jayasuriya remained wicketless after 22 overs.
