Galle Test Drawn After Bangladesh Give Sri Lanka a Scare

The first cricket Test between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka ended in a tame draw after the visiting captain Najmul Hossain Shanto created a slice of history by hitting centuries in both innings of the match at Galle International Cricket Stadium today. Shanto followed his first innings 148, with a 125 not out as Bangladesh set Sri Lanka a stiff target of 296 for a victory in 32 overs. Sri Lanka eventually reached 72-4 before the bails were drawn for the last time in the Test. Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam claimed 3-23 and Nayeem Hasan who scalped a five-for in the first innings, grabbed 1-29, in a pitch that offered turn and bounce plenty for the first time. But Bangladesh adopted safety first approach and didn’t push for accelerating the innings after resuming the day at 177-4 and with handy lead of 187. The overnight batters Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim began watchfully instead of coming down the bowlers heavily, which was expected to derive a result. The rain put a short brake on the game before Mushfiqur was trapped run out on 49, ending 109-run partnership between him and Shanto as he tried for a quick single.

When the game resumed, Shanto showed the intent of attacking the Sri Lanka bowlers but saw the departure of the batters like Liton Das and Jaker Ali Anik for single digit figure. He raised his seventh Test ton off 190 balls, with reverse sweep past point for a single against Tharindu Rathnayake. By doing so, he also became the 16th captain to score two hundreds in a Test. Overall he was the 14th batter to score twin centuries in a Test twice. After completing his century, he went for wild attack and struck Rathnayake for three sixes in a row, taking the overall lead closer to 300. Shanto remained not out on 199 ball-125 after smashing nine fours and three sixes. Rathnayake was the most successful bowler for Sri Lanka in this innings with 3-102. Unlike Bangladesh, Sri Lanka showed some intent despite knowing that it wouldn’t be an easier task to achieve a victory.  Opener Lahiru Udara started with two boundaries and Pathum Nissanka who made a monumental 187 in the first innings, was positive right from the start. But Taijul and Nayeem prompted them to alter the plan as they removed both openers in three balls in a joint-venture.

Taijul had Udara stumped on 9 with a delivery that turned viciously while Nissanka spooned a slower delivery of Nayeem to mid-wicket for 24. Sri Lanka then remained vigilant but Taijul, with the ably support from the pitch, looked enormous threatening. He knocked off the stump of Dinesh Chandimal (6) with a ripper before hand  Angelo Mathews caught by Mominul Hauqe at silly point. Mathews scored just 8 in what was his last Test innings. Taijul could have got Kamindu Mendis too with seven overs still remaining for stumps. Mushfiqur Rahim, however, put down the catch at mid-off. Kamindu and skipper Dhananjaya de Silva saw off the remaining overs without any trouble as the match ended in a draw. Both of them remained not out on 12. Bangladesh were bowled out for 495 in the first innings, thanks to Mushfiqur’s 163 and Shanto’s 148. Sri Lanka conceded 10-run lead after being all out for 485 in its first innings. The second Test begins on June 25 in Colombo.