United News of Bangladesh

Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto emerged as the first Bangladeshi cricketer to score centuries in both the test innings twice, following his feat in the Galle Test against Sri Lanka that concluded on Saturday. He put his name in the history of Bangladesh cricket scoring two back to back centuries in both the innings of Galle test against Sri Lanka that ended in a draw on the 5th and final day, today (Saturday). Shanto scored 148 runs in the first innings and made an unbeaten 125 runs in the day’s rain-marred 2nd innings and was adjudged the player of the match of the Galle Test. This was the 7th test century as a player and the 3rd century for Shanta as the test captain. Mushfiqur Rahim topped list scoring four test centuries as the captain. Galle Test: Shanto hits back-to-back centuries as Bangladesh set 296 for Sri Lanka He also emerged as the first Bangladeshi test captain to score century in both the test innings, featuring first back to back centuries in both the innings of an away  test. Earlier, Namjul Hossain Shanto made centuries in both the innings of a test match as the 2nd Bangladesh cricketer against Afghanistan in lone test in 2023 making 176 runs in the first innings and 124 runs in the 2nd innings. Former captain Mominul Haque became the first Bangladeshi cricketer to score centuries in both the test innings against Sri Lanka in the Chittagong Test in 2018 making 176 runs in the first innings and 105 runs in the 2nd innings.    Shanto became the 15th batsman in the Test Cricket to score centuries in the both the test innings twice. However, legendary cricketers David Warner, Ricky Ponting and Sunil Gavaskar scored centuries in both the test innings on three occasions.     

Bangladesh suffered a sudden blow in the Galle Test as Musfiqur Rahim and Litton Das fell in quick succession after Bangladesh passed the 450-run mark.  Mushfiqur made 163, while Litton fell for 90 after forming a 149-run stand. These double blows made it tough for Bangladesh to go for a total more than 500.  Bangladesh were at 292 for three at the end of day one. Following an early setback of losing three wickets inside 17 overs, Mushfiqur and Shanto formed a solid stand of 264 runs. Galle Test: Bangladesh pass 400-run as Mushfiqur crosses 150 During the partnership, both Mushfiqur and Shanto hit a century each.  It was the 12th century for Mushfiqur in his career, and the second in Galle after his double-ton in 2013.  Shanto fell prey to Asitha Fernando with only two runs short of 150. He was caught at mid-off. Angelo Mathews, who is playing his last Test, grabbed a low catch to send Shanto back.  Bangladesh, after winning the toss and opting to bat first, saw Litton and Mushfiqur forge a 100-run partnership, propelling the Tigers past the 400-run mark despite the absence of key player Mehidy Hasan Miraz due to illness.