C T Online Desk: Bangladesh picked up four wickets late on Day 5 to rattle Sri Lanka, but the hosts weathered the spin threat and secured a draw in the first Test at the Galle International Stadium on Saturday.
The match marked the first draw at Galle in 12 years, ending a streak of 26 consecutive results at the venue.
Chasing a target of 296 in the fourth innings, Sri Lanka stumbled to 48 for four, with Taijul Islam claiming three wickets to spark hopes of a dramatic finish. However, skipper Dhananjaya de Silva and Kamindu Mendis, both scoring 12, held firm to deny Bangladesh. With five overs remaining, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto opted to shake hands and end the contest.
Earlier, Shanto struck his second century of the match as Bangladesh declared at 285 for six, setting a challenging target despite a rain-disrupted final day. He reached the milestone with a reverse sweep for a single off debutant Tharindu Rathnayake, becoming only the second Bangladeshi, after Mominul Haque, to score centuries in both innings of a Test, a feat Shanto had previously achieved against Afghanistan in 2023.
His unbeaten 125 followed a commanding 148 in the first innings.
However, the timing of the declaration may draw scrutiny. With just 37 overs left in the day, questions remain as to whether Bangladesh could have declared earlier to give themselves more time to attack Sri Lanka.
Rain delays plagued the morning session, with Bangladesh resuming on 177 for three. Mushfiqur Rahim was the only wicket to fall before the rain interruption, dismissed for 49 while attempting a quick single. Rathnayake ran him out with a direct hit from mid-on.
After a delayed restart, ambidextrous spinner Rathnayake, immediately made an impact. He bowled Litton Das with a delivery that spun sharply past the bat and soon after had Jaker Ali stumped after beating him in flight.
