GALLE – Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto scored centuries in both innings to secure a rare draw against Sri Lanka in the first Test on Saturday, ending Galle’s 12-year streak of results.
Shanto followed his 148-run effort in the first innings with an unbeaten 125 in the second, helping Bangladesh declare at 285-6. This gave Sri Lanka a target of 296 in 37 overs, which proved too steep on a fading pitch.
Sri Lanka, chasing the target, lost early wickets before veteran Angelo Mathews stood firm in his final red-ball appearance. He scored just 8 off 45 balls but ensured no collapse, as the hosts ended the match at 72-4 with five overs remaining.
Earlier, Bangladesh had put up 495 in their first innings, with Mushfiqur Rahim contributing 163 and Litton Das narrowly missing a century with 90. Sri Lanka responded strongly with 485, thanks to Pathum Nissanka’s 187 and key middle-order contributions.
On a turning fourth-day pitch, Bangladesh off-spinner Nayeem Hasan took 5-121 to slow Sri Lanka’s momentum. With a 10-run first-innings lead, Bangladesh came out aggressive in the second innings, setting up the draw with bold batting.
The match also marked the end of an era for Sri Lanka as Angelo Mathews played his 119th and final Test. The series now moves to Colombo for the second Test on Wednesday, followed by three ODIs and three T20Is.