Mushfiqur, Shanto hit ton as Tigers in command at Galle

Bangladesh veteran Mushfiqur Rahim hit his 12th Test ton after skipper NajmulHossainShanto showed great patience and determination to score his sixth Test century as Bangladesh took control against Sri Lanka in the opening Test at the Galle International Stadium on Tuesday.

This Test also marks the start of the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle for both teams. Mushfiq notched his first Test century in 14 innings and third ton against the Island nation. He also has a double ton against Sri Lanka at this very venue, which came back in 2013. 

Mushfiqur, who looked a bit nervous when the right-hander was in the 90s, got to the three-figure mark off 176 deliveries, having smashed just five boundaries. The duo steadied the ship after initial trouble as Bangladesh finished the day with a satisfying 292 for three with both centurion Shanto (136) and Mushfiq (105) were unbeaten.

Mushfiq's ton came after skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto also brought up his sixth Test ton, with the duo now stitching together a 247-run unbroken fourth-wicket stand -- Bangladesh's highest for the wicket against Sri Lanka. 

Bangladesh had won the toss and chose to bat first, but things didn't start well. The innings got off to a shaky start with opener AnamulHaque getting out for a duck after facing 10 balls. Shadman Islam also struggled and was dismissed for 14 runs off 53 balls against Asitha Fernando.

Despite the early wickets, the 26-year-old batterShanto held his ground. He stayed calm under pressure and built his innings steadily. In the 74th over of Bangladesh's first innings, Shanto reached his century off 202 balls. The milestone moment came when Sri Lankan spinner Prabath Jayasuriya bowled a delivery down the leg side. Shanto played a paddle sweep and picked up two runs to reach his hundred. He celebrated his gutsy knock with joy, taking off his helmet and jumping in the air against the Sri Lankan crowd.

Notably, Shanto became the very first player in the World Test Championship cycle 25-27 to smash a century. This is also his second century against in Sri Lanka.

In their almost chanceless innings, they dominated the Lankan bowlers in style with Mushfiqur who averaged almost 55 against the Lankan,,,particularly in supreme touch.

Shanto was particularly strong against the spinners, who led by debutant TharinduRathnayake caused Bangladesh's initial trouble.
Shanto struck Rathnayake the only six of the innings and grew with confidence that took him on the verge of his first century since 2023. He also struck 14 fours.

Mominul who was dropped on 21 in the bowling of the same bowler tried to cut a delivery that was not enough close, resulting a catch as Sri Lankan skipper Dhananjaya de Silva completed a tumbling catch to remove him on 33 ball-29, a knock studded with four boundaries. Rathnayake, however, ended with 2-124.

Playing XIs

Bangladesh: Shadman Islam, Anamul Haque, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Jaker Ali, Nayeem Hasan, Taijul Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (c), Kusal Mendis (wk), Milan Priyanath Rathnayake, Tharindu Rathnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando.