• Najmul Hossain Shanto sizzled with a composed century on Day 1 of the Galle Test.

  • Sri Lankan bowlers struggled as Bangladesh batters dominate on opening day of the first Test.

Fans erupt as Najmul Hossain Shanto hits a gritty century on Day 1 of the first Test – SL vs BAN
Najmul Hossain Shanto (Image Source: X)

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As the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle gets underway, Bangladesh batter Najmul Hossain Shanto registered the first century of the cycle in the opening Test of the two-match series against Sri Lanka. Shanto’s gritty hundred on Day 1 laid the foundation for a strong total from the Bangladesh side. The team is on an extended tour of Sri Lanka, playing series across all formats.

Najmul Hossain Shanto anchors innings with classy century

After winning the toss, Bangladesh opted to bat first, and it has worked well for them so far. Despite an early stumble with three quick wickets— including opener Anamul Haque departing without troubling the scorers, Shanto and veteran Mushfiqur Rahim steadied the innings with a solid and composed partnership of over 200 runs. Their stand brought much-needed stability and shifted the momentum in Bangladesh’s favour during this crucial opening Test of the series.

Coming out to bat in a pressure situation with the top order already back in the pavilion, Shanto displayed brilliant calmness and composure. Once settled, the left-hander showcased a range of elegant strokes, including several well-executed sweep shots, taking on all types of bowlers with superb timing and precise placement. In a scintillating 202-ball century, Shanto struck 11 boundaries and a six, troubling Lankan bowlers.

Bangladesh take control on opening day of Galle Test

Meanwhile, the hosts, who had a promising start, seemed to have no answers to the brilliance of Bangladesh’s batters. Despite the pitch offering some assistance to spinners, the Sri Lankan bowlers struggled with their consistency, often missing their lines and lengths. Among the bowlers, only off-spinner Tharindu Ratnayake stand tall, claiming two wickets with disciplined bowling.

Pacer Asitha Fernando also chipped in with the important wicket of Anamul Haque. However, the rest of the bowling unit failed to make an impact. As a group, Sri Lanka will need to reassess their approach and look to wrap up Bangladesh’s innings quickly before the visitors post a massive total.

Also READ: SL vs BAN 2025, Test Series: Broadcast, Live Streaming details – When and where to watch in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, UK and South Africa

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Also READ: Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh: Pitch Report & Weather Forecast for the first Test in Galle

 

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About the Author:
VARUN VERMA
Varun Verma is a dedicated cricket enthusiast with a flair for storytelling and in-depth analysis. Combining a deep knowledge of the sport with a talent for engaging content creation, he brings the drama and thrill of the game to life for fans around the world. Drawing inspiration from the grit and passion of players like Ben Stokes, Varun aspires to one day experience the electrifying atmosphere of a Test match at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground. He can be reached at varun.verma@crickettimes.com and followed on LinkedIn and X.