ISLAMABAD: A historic partnership between skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto and veteran Mushfiqur Rahim placed Bangladesh firmly in command at the end of day one in the first Test against Sri Lanka, reaching 292-3 at stumps in Galle on Tuesday.
Bangladesh, having won the toss and opting to bat, found themselves in early trouble at 45-3.
However, Shanto and Mushfiqur turned the tide with a resilient 247-run stand, the highest fourth-wicket partnership for Bangladesh against Sri Lanka in Test history.
Mushfiqur, playing in his 97th Test, silenced critics with a classy century, ending a 13-innings drought without a fifty.
The 38-year-old, who previously scored a double hundred at this very ground in 2013, showed composure and experience, bringing up his 12th Test ton.
Despite being dropped on 25, he capitalized fully and anchored the innings confidently through the day.
Reflecting on his performance, Mushfiqur said the conditions favoured batting early, but the pitch is expected to deteriorate in the coming days.
Captain Leads from the Front
Shanto, leading from the front, struck his sixth Test century with fluid stroke play and excellent footwork.
He reached his milestone with a paddle sweep off Prabath Jayasuriya, his second ton against Sri Lanka.
The pair’s calculated aggression ensured Sri Lanka’s early momentum was completely neutralized.
Both batters remained unbeaten at stumps, Shanto on 136* and Mushfiqur on 105*, with Bangladesh in a commanding position.
Sri Lanka’s Early Spark Fizzles Out
Sri Lanka had early success with Asitha Fernando removing Anamul Haque for a duck.
Debutant off-spinner Tharindu Rathnayake then struck twice, briefly tilting the game.
But once the pitch flattened and dried, the hosts found it hard to contain the Bangladesh batters.
Rathnayake admitted post-match that the wicket played unusually well and the key on day two would be discipline and patience.
The match also marked the farewell Test for Angelo Mathews, who received a heartfelt tribute before play.
With 8,000+ runs, Mathews retires as one of Sri Lanka’s modern greats, behind only Sangakkara and Jayawardene.
The second Test of the series will begin on June 25 in Colombo.
