SL vs BAN | Bangladesh ends day one on high on the back of Najmul Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim centuries

‌Bangladesh recovered well, after an indifferent start, to close day one of their first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle on a high. Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim scored centuries as the visitors ended proceedings at 292/3 at the Galle International Stadium.

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Bangladesh were reduced to 45/3 in the first session with debutant spinner Tharindu Rathnayake picking up two wickets. He dismissed opener Shadman Islam with the final ball of his fourth over before sending back Mominul Haque with the first ball of his next over to be on a hat trick on his Test debut.

But skipper Shanto and wicketkeeper batter Mushfiqur joined hands and ensured that Bangladesh did not lose another wicket to go into lunch at 90/3. Both batters steadied the ship en route to completing their half-centuries with the century partnership coming in between their fifties. The Sri Lankan bowlers toiled hard but could not get a dismissal in the second session as the visitors sat comfortably at 182/3 at tea.

The story continued in the final session with the duo looking comfortable and gradually accelerating the scoring. Shanto was the first to reach the three-figure mark, his sixth in Tests and second against Sri Lanka, in the 74th over with the 200-run partnership coming before the second new ball was taken. Mushfiqur followed suit towards the end of the day to reach his 12th century, a hardworking one with only five boundaries in it. The pair added an unbeaten 247, the highest fourth-wicket partnership against Sri Lanka and 19 runs short of the overall record for the same. Shanto’s knock of 136 had 14 fours and a six while Mushfiqur remained unbeaten on 105 as Bangladesh walked away with the day’s honours after a rocky start.

Great knock!

Big Guns!

Congrats!

Stunning!

Superb!

Haha!

Happy retirement!

Great !

Brilliant!

Congrats!