Bangladesh are firmly in control at lunch on Day 2 of the opening Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, reaching 383 for 4 thanks to a commanding knock by captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and a resilient effort from Mushfiqur Rahim.
Resuming the day at 292 for 3, Bangladesh added 91 runs in the morning session while losing only one wicket — that of Shanto, who departed after a magnificent 148 off 279 balls. His 15 boundaries anchored the innings and helped steer Bangladesh out of early trouble after a shaky start on Day 1.
Shanto’s dismissal came in the 97th over, caught by Angelo Mathews at slip off a well-directed delivery from Asitha Fernando. The Sri Lankan pacer was the pick of the bowlers, finishing the session with figures of 2 for 65 from 19 overs.
Mushfiqur Rahim continued from where he left off, offering calm assurance at the crease. The veteran wicketkeeper-batter remains unbeaten on 141 from 272 deliveries, patiently guiding Bangladesh toward a massive first-innings total. His innings has been built on grit and timing, with seven boundaries so far.
Supporting him at the other end is Litton Das, who looked fluent during his brief stay, not out on 43 off 57 balls with four boundaries to his name. Their unbroken fifth-wicket partnership has already added 74 runs.
Earlier, Bangladesh were reeling at 45 for 3 before Shanto and Mushfiqur stitched together a game-changing 164-run stand for the fourth wicket. Mominul Haque also chipped in with a useful 29, but it’s the Shanto-Rahim duo that turned the tide in favour of the visitors.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers have toiled hard on a flat Galle surface. Tharindu Ratnayake and Milan Rathnayake both picked up early wickets but failed to make further inroads. The spinners struggled for control, with Prabath Jayasuriya going wicketless from 39.2 overs.
With two well-set batters at the crease and over 400 runs in sight, Bangladesh will look to accelerate in the next session and aim to bat Sri Lanka out of the contest. The pitch continues to play true, but with footmarks beginning to form, spin may play a bigger role as the match progresses.