Shanto and Rahim’s Unbeaten Partnership of 247 Dominates Day 1

GALLE: Najmul Hossain Shanto, the captain of Bangladesh, and the seasoned Mushfiqur Rahim, both achieved unbeaten centuries, positioning their team strongly on the first day of the Test match against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium on Tuesday.

Shanto’s choice to bat first proved advantageous as the team amassed 292/3 by the end of the day, with both he and wicketkeeper Rahim remaining undefeated at the crease.

However, the visiting team’s innings began on a difficult note, as right-handed opener Anamul Haque was dismissed for a duck after facing just 10 balls in the fifth over, with the score at a mere five runs.

Mominul Haque then partnered briefly with Shadman Islam, adding 34 runs before Tharindu Rathnayake dismissed both in quick succession, leaving Bangladesh at 45/3.

Haque scored 29 runs from 33 deliveries, including four boundaries, while Islam managed 14 runs from 53 balls.

Following this setback, Rahim joined Shanto, and together they shifted the momentum with an impressive partnership.

Shanto and Rahim contributed an unbroken 247 runs for the fourth wicket, with each scoring a century.

At the close of play, Shanto remained unbeaten with 136 runs from 260 balls, hitting 14 fours and one six, while Rahim had scored 105 not out from 186 balls, which included five boundaries.

For Sri Lanka, Rathnayake claimed two wickets, and Fernando secured one.