The start and end of the day in the Bangladesh vs. Sri Lanka Test in Galle presented completely contrasting pictures. While the scoreboard favored the hosts even before lunch, Bangladesh took control by day's end.
Two experienced stars, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim, put the Tigers firmly on track with a pair of centuries. At stumps, Bangladesh had scored 292 runs for the loss of 3 wickets in 90 overs.
Captain Shanto reached his sixth Test career century after a year and a half hiatus, while Mushfiqur secured his 12th century, his first in nine months. Shanto remained unbeaten on 136 and Mushfiqur on 105 at the close of play.
Together, they forged a 247-run partnership, which stands as Bangladesh's second-highest fourth-wicket stand and sixth-highest overall in Tests.
Bangladesh commenced their new World Test Championship cycle with this two-match series against Sri Lanka. However, the day didn't start promisingly. The visitors lost three wickets for just 45 runs.
Opener Anamul Haque Bijoy was dismissed early (at 5 runs team total), caught at slip by Kusal Mendis off Asitha Fernando for a duck from 10 balls.
Mominul Haque and Shadman Islam then added 34 runs together before both were sent back by debutant Lankan spinner Tharindu Ratnayake. Mominul scored 29, and Shadman made 14.
At this critical juncture, Bangladesh desperately needed a strong partnership to pull them out of trouble. Shanto and Mushfiqur perfectly fulfilled this need, denying the Lankans any further reason to celebrate until the end of the day.
They maintained a run rate of nearly 3.5, adding 247 runs to the team's total in 73.5 overs. While Shanto attacked the bowlers when needed, Mushfiqur played a measured innings, prioritizing singles over boundaries and taking fewer risks with expansive shots. He hit only 5 fours en route to his century, which came off 176 balls.
Mushfiqur, in particular, needed a big innings. Following a dismal performance and criticism with the bat in the ICC Champions Trophy last February-March, he announced his retirement from ODIs in March. His Test career was also under threat.
Thus, today's innings served as a much-needed tonic to overcome that uncomfortable period. Mushfiqur's last significant Test score was 191 against Pakistan in Rawalpindi last August. In the 13 innings of the 7 Tests he played since then, he failed to score a fifty, with his highest being 40 runs.
On the other hand, Shanto's Test batting average in 2024 was a mere 21.13, let alone a century. However, the Bangladesh captain showed glimpses of regaining his old rhythm in the format during the Zimbabwe series in 2025.
Overall, Shanto had to wait 15 months for another international century. His last Test century was in November 2023 against New Zealand. This marks Shanto's second Test century against Sri Lanka and sixth overall.
For Sri Lanka, Tharindu Ratnayake claimed a maximum of two wickets, while Asitha Fernando took one.