Mushfiqur Rahim, Najmul Hossain Shanto headline Bangladesh’s stellar show on Day 1 of Galle Test

New Delhi: Mushfiqur Rahim and Najmul Hossain Shanto headlined Bangladesh’s classic show on the first day of the first Test match against Sri Lanka in Galle on Tuesday. After opting to bat first and losing the first three wickets on a score of 45, Rahim and Shanto stitched a massive partnership of 247 runs for the fourth wicket to help the visitors finish the day on a solid note.

Both the batters notched up centuries in style to put the pressure back on the hosts pushing them against the wall towards the end after they had gained considerable advantage early on in the game. Asitha Fernando gave Sri Lanka the first break in the fifth over claiming the wicket of Anamul Haque for a duck. Haque faced 10 deliveries but was unable to score a single run. Shadman Islam and Mominul Haque followed the footsteps departing for 14 and 29 runs respectively leaving Bangladesh struggling at 45 for 3.

Rahim and Shanto exhibit class

Finding a grip on field from the very beginning, both Rahim and Shanto exhibited class to not only stabilise the Bangladesh innings but also steer them ahead confidently to steal the show. At the end of the play on the first day, Rahim was unbeaten on 105 runs off 186 balls with five boundaries playing a sensible innings while Shanto looked solid on 136 off 260 balls with 14 boundaries and a lone six to his name.

For veteran batter Rahim, it was a memorable outing in the longest format as he notched up his 12th Test century scripting a record. For Bangladesh, he became the second batter after Mominul Haque (13 tons) to score maximum centuries in the longest format of the game. For Shanto, it was his sixth century overall and second against the Lankans.

With Asitha Fernando taking a single wicket, bowler Tharindu Ratnayake contributed with two wickets for the hosts but also proved to be expensive giving away 124 runs in his 32 overs.

 Mushfiqur Rahim and Najmul Hossain Shanto headlined Bangladesh’s classic show on the first day of the first Test match against Sri Lanka in Galle.  Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today