A historic Test match began with a session that had a bit of everything — swing, spin, and some spirited strokeplay — as Bangladesh reached 90 for 3 at lunch on day one of the first Test against Sri Lanka. With just 28 overs bowled, the hosts managed to strike early blows, despite the pitch offering signs of the flat Galle surface it’s famed for.
The match, unofficially dubbed the Angelo Mathews Test in honour of the Sri Lankan veteran’s final red-ball appearance, began with Bangladesh winning the toss and opting to bat first — a decision that, on paper, made sense given the pitch’s typical tendency to deteriorate late and favour spin.
However, it was the top order that let Bangladesh down with a mixture of poor shot selection and misplaced aggression. Anamul Haque Bijoy, making his way back into the Test side after a lengthy absence, perished for a 10-ball duck. Chasing a wide delivery from pacer Asitha Fernando, he edged behind, continuing his struggles in the longest format.
Spin quickly took over thereafter — in typical Sri Lankan fashion — with debutant off-spinner Tharindu Ratnayake bowling a superb spell. He removed both Shadman Islam (14 off 53) and Mominul Haque (29 off 33), with the latter falling despite a positive start. Mominul, who looked intent on countering spin with aggression, offered a second chance and this time Dananjaya de Silva at slip made no mistake.
Tharindu bowled impressively in tandem with fellow spinners, helping keep the run rate in check while also posing consistent threats. Just nine of the 28 overs in the session were bowled by pacers, underlining Galle’s long-standing romance with spin.
The pair of Najmul Hossain Shanto (25*) and Mushfiqur Rahim (20*) steadied the innings thereafter, showing more composure and purpose against the turn. They added 45 runs together, surviving several nervy moments but ending the session intact.
Bangladesh’s decision to bat may still bear fruit if their middle and lower order can cash in later, but the first session served as a reminder that in Galle, patience — not aggression — is often the key to success.
With the ball already turning and spin dominating the attack, this Test could yet swing in either direction — fittingly so, in a match that pays tribute to one of Sri Lanka’s finest ever cricketers.