Get the full Day 1 update of the Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh 1st Test. After an early collapse, a record partnership by captain Shanto (97) and Rahim (84) puts Bangladesh in control.**
Table of Contents
Captain’s Stand at Galle: Shanto’s 97 Rescues Bangladesh After Day 1 Collapse vs Sri Lanka* : Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh
In a dramatic and enthralling opening day at the Galle International Stadium, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto played an innings of immense character and skill, guiding his team from the brink of disaster to a position of commanding strength against Sri Lanka in the first Test of the series. Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh
The day was a classic tale of two halves. A morning session dominated by the host’s bowlers, including a dream debut for spinner Tharindu Rathnayake, gave way to an afternoon and evening of complete control by the visitors, built on the foundation of an unbroken 184-run partnership between Shanto (97*) and the veteran Mushfiqur Rahim (84*). At the close of play, Bangladesh stood at a formidable 229 for 3, leaving the Sri Lankan camp to ponder what might have been.
Morning Session: Rathnayake’s Dream Debut Puts Sri Lanka on Top : Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh
The day began under bright sunshine with the iconic Galle Fort looking on, a picturesque setting for what would also be the start of a farewell Test for Sri Lankan great Angelo Mathews. Upon winning the toss, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto had no hesitation in batting first, a logical choice on a pitch expected to offer more assistance to spinners as the match wears on.
However, the initial advantage of batting first seemed to evaporate quickly. Sri Lanka’s new-ball bowlers, led by the disciplined Asitha Fernando, were relentless in their accuracy. The early pressure paid dividends in just the fifth over. Fernando, hitting a perfect length, produced a delivery that angled in and straightened just enough to catch the outside edge of Anamul Haque’s bat. Wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis completed a simple catch, sending Haque back for a 10-ball duck.
WICKET! Anamul Haque c Mendis b Fernando 0 (10) Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh
With Bangladesh at a shaky 5 for 1, the onus was on Shadman Islam and the experienced Mominul Haque to build a foundation. They weathered the initial storm, but the introduction of debutant Tharindu Rathnayake, an ambidextrous spinner bowling right-arm off-spin, completely changed the dynamic.
Rathnayake, showcasing no signs of nerves, found his rhythm immediately. His ability to generate turn and bounce unsettled the batsmen, and soon, he had his maiden Test wicket. He tossed one up, inviting Shadman Islam forward, who was deceived by the flight and could only manage a thick edge to Dhananjaya de Silva at first slip. The Sri Lankan camp erupted in celebration for their new talent.
WICKET! Shadman Islam c de Silva b Rathnayake 14 (53): Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh
Just when it seemed things couldn’t get worse for Bangladesh, they did. Mominul Haque, who had looked the most comfortable of the top order in his brief stay, suffered a lapse in concentration. Chasing a wider delivery from Rathnayake, he too edged the ball straight into the safe hands of de Silva. In the space of two overs, Rathnayake had claimed two wickets, and Bangladesh were in complete disarray at 45 for 3.
Afternoon Session: The Great Wall of Shanto and Rahim : Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh
The fall of Mominul’s wicket brought together the two pillars of the current Bangladesh batting lineup: captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and former captain Mushfiqur Rahim. With their team in a precarious position, the session before lunch was about survival. They defended resolutely, left with discipline, and ensured no further damage was done heading into the interval. Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh
It was in the post-lunch session, however, that the true masterclass began. Having absorbed the pressure, both batsmen began the painstaking work of rebuilding the innings and wrestling back momentum.
Shanto, leading from the front, was a picture of calm and composure. He negated the threat of the spinners with superb footwork, using the depth of the crease to play late and getting to the pitch of the ball to drive fluently through the covers. He was particularly severe on anything short, punishing the bowlers with authoritative pull shots and cuts. His fifty, brought up with a confident push for a single, was a testament to his mental fortitude under immense pressure.
FIFTY! Najmul Hossain Shanto reaches his half-century: Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh
At the other end, Mushfiqur Rahim played the perfect supporting role. Drawing on his vast experience of over 80 Test matches, he was a calming presence. He manipulated the field with surgical precision, nudging singles into gaps, turning the strike over, and never allowing the bowlers to settle into a rhythm against one batsman. A crucial moment arrived when Rahim, on 25, offered a tough chance that was put down—a moment Sri Lanka would come to deeply regret.
As the tea break approached, Rahim also completed his half-century, and the partnership had swelled to nearly 100 runs. The Sri Lankan bowlers, who had been so vibrant in the morning, started to look bereft of ideas.
FIFTY! Mushfiqur Rahim completes a vital half-century.
Final Session: Bangladesh Cements its Dominance
If the afternoon session was about recovery, the final session was about outright dominance. The Galle pitch, having baked under the sun, had lost its venom and transformed into a true batting paradise. For the Sri Lankan bowlers, it became a long, fruitless toil.
Shanto and Rahim continued where they left off, their partnership flourishing as they grew in confidence. Shanto began to unfurl his full range of strokes, including a breathtaking inside-out lofted drive over cover against the spin that was arguably the shot of the day. He moved from his fifty into the nineties with an air of serene inevitability.
The Sri Lankan captain, Dhananjaya de Silva, rotated his bowlers desperately. He tried pace, he tried the left-arm spin of Prabath Jayasuriya, and he even bowled a few overs himself, but nothing could break the concentration of the Bangladeshi pair. The field spread out, the intensity dropped, and the visitors were in complete control.
As the day drew to a close, the only question that remained was whether Shanto could complete his well-deserved century. He navigated the final overs with caution, ultimately ending the day agonizingly close on 97 not out. Rahim remained unbeaten on a flawless 84, his innings just as crucial in the context of the game. Their unbroken stand of 184 had completely turned the tables on the hosts.
Day 1 Analysis and Look Ahead to Day 2 : Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh
The opening day was a fascinating microcosm of Test cricket. It showcased how a match can pivot on a single partnership. For Sri Lanka, it was a day of missed opportunities. After their brilliant start, their inability to break the Shanto-Rahim stand will be a major point of concern. Tharindu Rathnayake’s debut was a significant positive, but the lack of support from the other bowlers on a flattening pitch exposed their limitations.
For Bangladesh, this was a day of immense satisfaction. To recover from 45/3 to 229/3 is a phenomenal effort that speaks volumes about the team’s growing maturity. Shanto’s innings was not just about the runs he scored; it was a statement of intent from a captain leading by example.
Looking ahead to Day 2, Bangladesh holds all the aces. With two set batsmen at the crease, their first target will be to see Shanto to his century and then build a first-innings total in excess of 400. Sri Lanka’s only hope is to strike early with the second new ball, which will be available shortly after the start of play. The first hour of the second day will be crucial in determining the future course of this captivating Test match.