Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim produced a sensational fourth-wicket stand to rescue their side from early collapse against Sri Lanka in the first Test at Galle. The duo’s gritty 267-run partnership lifted Bangladesh from a precarious 45/3 to 312 before Shanto was dismissed—just three runs shy of the nation’s all-time fourth-wicket record.
🏏 From Collapse to Command
Opting to bat first, Bangladesh were rocked early by Tharindu Ratnayake and Asitha Fernando, who reduced them to 45/3 inside 17 overs. But Shanto and Mushfiqur countered with poise and precision, combining sound shot selection with steely temperament to blunt the Sri Lankan attack.
- Shanto scored his sixth Test century, his first since November 2023
- Mushfiqur, Bangladesh’s most-capped Test player, silenced critics with his 12th Test ton, ending a 13-innings drought
Their stand became Bangladesh’s highest fourth-wicket partnership against Sri Lanka, surpassing the previous best of 232.
🛑 Mathews’ Final Test, a Crucial Catch
On Day 2, with the pair eyeing history, Asitha Fernando dismissed Shanto for 132, caught at mid-off by Angelo Mathews, who is playing his final Test. The dismissal halted the partnership at 267—just three runs short of Bangladesh’s all-time fourth-wicket record (270 by Mushfiqur and Mominul Haque vs Zimbabwe, 2018).
🗣️ A Statement Start to WTC Cycle
This Test marks the beginning of Bangladesh’s World Test Championship 2025–27 campaign. The Shanto-Rahim stand not only steadied the innings but also sent a strong message about the team’s depth and resilience.
Stay tuned for Day 3 updates and WTC points table movement.
