Bangladesh squandered a commanding position late on Day 2 of the first Test against Sri Lanka, losing five wickets for just 26 runs to finish the day on 484 for 9 at stumps in Galle on Wednesday.
The visitors were in full control for most of the day, anchored by a mammoth 163-run knock from veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim and well supported by Litton Das, who struck a fluent 90. The pair added 149 for the sixth wicket, building on a record-threatening 264-run stand between Mushfiqur and skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto earlier in the innings.
But Bangladesh’s stronghold crumbled late in the final session. Mushfiqur was trapped lbw by Asitha Fernando, ending a resolute 163 off 317 balls, featuring 16 fours. Litton, who had survived a dropped chance on 14 and a run-out scare earlier, followed soon after in the very next over, gloving an attempted reverse sweep off Tharindu Rathnayake to the keeper, falling just 10 runs short of a deserved century.
The late-order collapse continued as Jaker Ali (8), Taijul Islam (6) and Nayeem Hasan (11) departed in quick succession. Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana were left to negotiate the final few overs before stumps.
All three frontline Sri Lankan bowlers shared the spoils, with pacers Asitha Fernando and Milan Rathnayake, and spinner Tharindu Rathnayake, claiming three wickets apiece.
Earlier, Shanto fell agonisingly short of 150, dismissed for 148 after offering a catch to Angelo Mathews at mid-on. His innings, laced with 15 boundaries and a six, ended Bangladesh’s dominant fourth-wicket partnership, just three runs shy of the national record for the position.
Rain delayed play for nearly two and a half hours during the second session, with Bangladesh resuming at 423 for 4. Both Mushfiqur and Litton continued positively after the break, guiding the Tigers past 450.
Despite the late stutter, Bangladesh remain in a strong position, though Sri Lanka will take heart from the late breakthroughs heading into Day 3.
Day 2 Summary – 1st Test, Galle
Bangladesh 1st innings – 484-9 at Stumps (Day 2)
- Mushfiqur Rahim – 163
- Najmul Hossain Shanto – 148
- Litton Das – 90
- Asitha Fernando – 3/79
- Milan Rathnayake – 3/109
- Tharindu Rathnayake – 3/126
Key Partnerships:
- Shanto & Mushfiqur – 264 runs (4th wicket)
- Mushfiqur & Litton – 149 runs (6th wicket)