The opening day of the first Test between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at Galle International Stadium kicked off the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle with a bang. Bangladesh, opting to bat first under sunny skies, overcame a rocky start to finish at a commanding 292/3, thanks to a monumental unbeaten 247-run partnership between captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and veteran Mushfiqur Rahim. Here’s a rundown of the key moments and highlights that defined Day 1.
Early Wobble: Sri Lanka Strike Hard
The morning session belonged to Sri Lanka’s bowlers. After Bangladesh won the toss and chose to bat, the hosts exploited early movement on the pitch. Seamer Asitha Fernando and debutant Tharindu Rathnayake struck in quick succession, reducing Bangladesh to a precarious 45/3 by the 17th over. Openers Shadman Islam and Anamul Haque fell early, unable to counter the swing and seam, while Mominul Haque’s brief resistance ended with a rash shot. “The bowlers executed perfectly early on,” Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva noted post-session. “We thought we had them on the ropes.”
Shanto and Rahim Take Charge
Enter Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim, who turned the tide with grit and class. The duo weathered a testing phase, seeing off the early threat from Sri Lanka’s pace attack. By lunch, Bangladesh had clawed back to 92/3, with Shanto and Rahim unbeaten and showing intent. The pitch, unusually batter-friendly for Galle, offered little assistance to bowlers as the day progressed, and the pair capitalized. “We just focused on building a partnership and playing each ball on merit,” Shanto said after stumps.
Afternoon Dominance: A Session Without Wickets
The post-lunch session saw Bangladesh seize control. Shanto and Rahim added 92 runs in 30 overs without losing a wicket, frustrating Sri Lanka’s bowlers. Prabath Jayasuriya, Galle’s spin maestro, bowled a disciplined 17-over spell but conceded 46 runs without reward. Debutant Tharindu Rathnayake, known for his ambidextrous spin, tried switching hands to unsettle the batters, but the experienced duo remained unfazed. Their 123-run stand by tea marked a turning point, with Rahim passing 6,000 Test runs and Shanto nearing a milestone of his own.
Record-Breaking Partnership
The final session was a masterclass in Test batting. Shanto reached his sixth Test century—his first since November 2023—with a stylish paddle-sweep for two, celebrating with a leap that dodged a fielder’s throw in comical fashion. Rahim followed suit, notching his 12th Test hundred and becoming Bangladesh’s highest Test run-scorer in Sri Lanka. Their unbeaten 247-run fourth-wicket partnership set multiple records: it surpassed the previous Bangladesh-Sri Lanka fourth-wicket record of 180 and became the second-highest fourth-wicket stand at Galle, trailing only Australia’s 259 by Alex Carey and Steven Smith earlier in 2025.
Sri Lanka’s Toil
Sri Lanka’s bowlers, despite early promise, struggled to maintain pressure. Milan Rathnayake was the most economical, conceding just 19 runs in 12 overs, but the spin duo of Jayasuriya (21-0-61-0) and Tharindu Rathnayake couldn’t break through. “The pitch didn’t turn as much as we expected,” admitted Jayasuriya. With the second new ball seven overs away at stumps, Sri Lanka pinned their hopes on a fresh start on Day 2.
Standout Performances
- Najmul Hossain Shanto (136)*: The Bangladesh captain led from the front, blending caution with aggression. His century anchored the innings and silenced doubters after a lean 2025.
- Mushfiqur Rahim (105)*: The veteran’s 28th Test fifty grew into a century, showcasing his knack for big innings. His record-breaking exploits in Galle cemented his legacy.
- Asitha Fernando and Tharindu Rathnayake: The only wicket-takers for Sri Lanka, they gave the hosts a dream start but couldn’t sustain the momentum.
The Bigger Picture
Bangladesh’s 292/3 is a statement of intent in a crucial WTC cycle where both teams, playing only 12 Tests each, can’t afford slip-ups. For Sri Lanka, the day was a missed opportunity to honor retiring legend Angelo Mathews, who received a guard of honor but couldn’t impact the game with the ball. “We’ll come back stronger tomorrow,” vowed de Silva, eyeing the new ball.
As stumps were called, Bangladesh held the upper hand, with Shanto and Rahim unbeaten and the pitch showing no signs of deteriorating. Day 2 promises more intrigue as Sri Lanka fights to claw back into the contest. For now, the Tigers roar loudest in Galle.
