Sports Reporter:
Unbeaten centuries by Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim powered Bangladesh to pile up 292 for the loss of three wickets on Day 1 of the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle International Stadium in Sri Lanka on Tuesday. Bangladesh played exact 90 overs on the opening day.
Captain Najumul Hossain Shanto remained unbeaten with 136. His 260-ball innings was belted with 14 fours and one sixer. He fulfilled his 6th Test century playing 202 deliveries including 11 fours and a sixer. Shanto has played 36 Test matches.
Mushfiqur Rahim remained unbeaten with 105 runs. His 186-ball innings was laced with five fours. It was Mushfiq’s 12th Test century. The ace batter has played 97 Test matches.
Bangladesh had a sorrow start as opener Anamul Haque Bijoy (0) was caught behind by wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis off Asitha Fernando when Bangladesh’s score was just five.
Shadman Islam (14), the other opener also failed to shine with the willow as he was caught at the slip by Dhananjaya de Silva off Tharindu Rathnayake when the tourists’ total was 39 for the loss of two wickets. It was Tharindu Ratnayake’s maiden Test wicket.
One-down Mominul Haque was caught at the slip by Dhananjaya de Silva off Tharindu Rathnayake when the hosts’ score was 45 for the loss of three wickets.
Mominul Haque made 29 from 33 deliveries featuring four fours.
After Mominul Haque’s dismissal, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim repaired the damage contributing together 247 runs for the unbroken fourth wicket partnership before the bails were drawn for the first day.
Bangladesh lost their early three wickets in the first session but Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim defended the Sri Lankan bowlers and salvaged their team from danger. They played rest of the two sessions on the opening day and helped their team from losing more wicket on the first day.
Tharindu Rathnayake got two wickets conceding 124 runs, while Asitha Fernando took one wicket at the cost of 51 runs.
Prolific all-rounder Mahidy Hasan Miraz could not play in the Galle Test as he has been suffering from fever for some days.
Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim will resume their first innings respectively on the second day. The second day play of the first Test will start at 10:30am (Bangladesh Standard Time). Private satellite sports channel T Sports will telecast the match live.
