The opening Test match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh ended in a high-scoring draw at the Galle International Stadium yesterday.
Sri Lanka chasing an impossible target of 296 runs finished their second innings on 72 for four from 32 overs with Kamindu Mendis and Skipper Dhananjaya de Silva unbeaten on 12 runs each.
However, Angelo Mathews was dismissed for just eight runs in his last innings as Taijul Islam snapped up three wickets.
Earlier, Bangladesh Captain and Player of the Match Najmul Hossain Shanto joined an elite list of batting greats following his second successive century.
Coming at number four, Shanto composed a fantastic hundred, headlining Bangladesh’s dominant run in the series opener.
After recording a majestic century in the first innings, Shanto smashed another Test hundred, frustrating the Sri Lankans in their backyard. This is the second time Shanto has struck a century in both innings of a Test match. Thus, he became the first-ever Bangladesh captain to achieve the iconic milestone.
Shanto also became the first Bangladesh batter to score a hundred in both innings of an away Test. Mominul Haque and Shanto himself have previously attained the landmark on home soil, amassing Test tons across both innings against Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, respectively. In response to Sri Lanka’s first innings total of 485 runs, Bangladesh had a shaky start to their innings, losing Anamul Haque and Mominul Haque in quick succession.
However, Shanto and Shadman Islam consolidated the innings with flamboyant knocks, forming a solid 68-run stand for the third wicket. While Shadman got out for 76, Shanto blazed his way through to an elegant 199-ball 125 not out before Bangladesh declared their second innings, setting a 296-run target for the hosts.
