United News of Bangladesh

The first Test between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka ended in a draw, as persistent rain and a flat pitch left no side with a realistic chance of forcing a result on the fifth day at the Galle International Stadium. Bangladesh declared their second innings at 285 for 6, setting Sri Lanka a target of 296 in a minimum of 39 overs. But with significant time lost to rain throughout the day and wet conditions delaying the restart after lunch, only 32 overs were bowled in Sri Lanka’s second innings. The hosts reached 72 for 4 before both captains agreed to call it off. Najmul Hossain Shanto was the standout performer for Bangladesh, scoring centuries in both innings—148 in the first and an unbeaten 125 in the second—marking a rare achievement in Test cricket. Mushfiqur Rahim also starred with the bat, scoring 163 in the first innings and 49 in the second. Earlier in the match, Bangladesh posted 495 in their first innings, led by a 222-run partnership between Shanto and Mushfiqur. Galle Test: Shanto hits back-to-back centuries as Bangladesh set 296 for Sri Lanka Sri Lanka replied with 485, thanks largely to Pathum Nissanka’s superb 187 and Kamindu Mendis’ 87. For Bangladesh, off-spinner Nayeem Hasan claimed his first five-wicket haul in away conditions, finishing with figures of 5 for 121. On the final day, rain interrupted play just as Bangladesh were considering a declaration. Shanto and Mushfiqur had added 100 runs for the fourth wicket before the latter was dismissed. Shanto reached his second century of the match shortly after the break in play, and Bangladesh declared soon after. Sri Lanka’s chase never gathered momentum. Taijul Islam struck three times, removing Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, and Angelo Mathews—who was playing his final Test. Nayeem Hasan chipped in with the wicket of Nissanka. Despite efforts from both teams, the combination of a flat surface and rain delays left little room for drama. Bangladesh will take confidence from individual performances, especially from Shanto, while Sri Lanka will reflect on their bowling options going into the second Test.

Bangladesh continues to exert pressure on the hosts in the Galle Test. At the end of day four, the tourists have ensured a lead of 187 runs with seven wickets in hand. It is clear that the match is going to end in a draw unless something dramatic happens on the last day. That said, Bangladesh have done their best over 57 overs of second-innings batting to take the possibility of a Sri Lankan victory off the table. If they can avoid a collapse early on day five, a push for a win — however unlikely — cannot be entirely ruled out. Bangladesh had secured a tiny 10-run lead after both teams' first innings. And then they scored 177 for three to end day four. Opener Shadman Islam and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto hit a fifty each. While Shadman was out for 76, Shanto remained unbeaten for 56. Galle Test: Nayeem registers five-for as Bangladesh secure a small first-innings lead Along with him, Mushfiqur Rahim also remained unbeaten for 22 after surviving some early nervous moments and settling in. Prabath Jayasuriya, Tharindu Rathnayake, and Milan Rathnayake took one wicket each for Sri Lanka. But the hosts struggled to find regular breakthroughs as the pitch, surprisingly, has not deteriorated much — offering little help to the spinners. Sri Lanka ended their first innings at 485 with opener Pathum Nissanka hitting the highest of 187. Kamindu Mendis contributed with 87. For Bangladesh, Nayeem Hasan secured a five-for — his fourth such feat in Test cricket. Earlier, Bangladesh won the toss and posted 495 thanks to centuries from Mushfiqur and Najmul.

Bangladesh left-arm spinner Taijul Islam broke the opening stand of Sri Lanka at 47 on the third morning of the Galle Test, following Bangladesh’s first innings total of 495. Pathum Nissanka and debutant Lahiru Udara made 47 runs quickly in the opening stand. Udara was the first to fall. It was a soft dismissal with a return catch to the bowler Taijul. Bangladesh were at 484 for nine at the end of day two. They fell short of five runs from posting 500. The highlights of Bangladesh’s innings were the centuries of Mushfiqur Rahim and Najmul Hossain Shanto, and Litton Das’s 90. Mushfiqur Rahim's 163 puts Bangladesh in control of 1st cricket test against Sri Lanka For Sri Lanka, Asitha Fernando, Milan Rathnayake, and Tharindu Rathnayake shared nine wickets equally among them. Tharindu is making his Test debut with this match. Both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have kicked off their new cycle of the World Test Championship with this Test.

  Bangladesh closed in on scoring 500 in the first innings of the Galle Test vs Sri Lanka before the bad lights forced an early end to day two.  Rain forced a two-and-a-half-hour stoppage in play, followed by poor light that prompted an earlier start to day three by 15 minutes. Bangladesh were at 484 for 9 at the end of day two, with pace-bowling duo— Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana— were unbeaten for a duck each.  Centuries from Mushfiqur Rahim and Najmul Hossain Shanto were the highlights of Bangladesh’s innings so far. Litton Das fell only 10 runs short of his own century.  Galle Test: Mushfiqur, Litton fall quickly as Bangladesh pass 450 Mushfiqur made 163, while Litton fell for 90 after forming a 149-run stand. Before this stand, Musfiqur and Shanto added 264, with Shanto hitting 148.  Mushfiqur and Litton fell in quick succession that shocked Bangladesh right after passing the 450-run mark.  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. Mushfiqur’s century 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.  For Sri Lanka, Asitha Fernando, Milan Rathnayake, and Tharindu Rathnayake shared nine wickets equally among them. Tharindu is making his Test debut with this match.    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.