The fifth-day pitch at Galle resembled more of a Day 3 surface, with visible but narrow cracks offering little to the bowlers. Despite a steady breeze blowing across the ground, batting conditions remained largely manageable.
Bangladesh began the day with positive strokes – Mushfiqur Rahim opened his account with a boundary in the first over, and Najmul Hossain Shanto followed up stylishly, driving his first ball through the off-side for four. However, the overall approach from both batters during the first session was largely cautious and restrained.
Captain Shanto, leading from the front, played with great composure and reached 89* off 168 balls just before rain halted play. His innings reflected patience and maturity, focusing on building a solid total rather than taking risks.
Tragedy struck for Bangladesh on the final delivery before the rain break when Mushfiqur Rahim was run out for 49 off 102 balls, undone by a sharp direct hit from Tharindu Ratnayake. On the day, he had contributed 22 runs from 43 deliveries, underscoring his intent to hold one end and minimize errors — a testament to the team’s defensive mindset in the session.
Sri Lanka, too, mirrored a defensive strategy. Captain Dhananjaya de Silva deployed boundary riders, allowing singles but cutting off potential boundaries. The clear objective was to contain the scoring rate and avoid letting the game drift too far from their grip.
Rain arrived to interrupt proceedings, providing both teams with a natural pause. Lunch was eventually taken early at 12:20 pm BST, although no overs were lost in the process. The weather, in a way, helped both the captains in the opening session of this crucial final day.