The first Test between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka fizzled out into a damp draw on Saturday, with rain robbing the match in Galle of a proper climax.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sri Lanka were set a tall order of 296 in 37 overs and were tottering at 72-4 when stumps were drawn 9.5 overs into the final hour, with both captains shaking hands and accepting no result was possible.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The day belonged to Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto<\/strong>, who scored centuries in both innings.<\/p>\r\n\r\n "We were low on confidence coming into the series but this was a very good Test match," he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n "We wanted to declare early but rain forced us to rethink."<\/p>\r\n\r\n Shanto made an unbeaten 125 in the second innings after posting 148 in his first dig.<\/p>\r\n\r\n It was the second time he had achieved the feat, scoring two centuries in a match against Afghanistan in 2023.<\/p>\r\n\r\n However, questions will linger over his captaincy. In pursuit of his landmark, Shanto might have taken his eye off the larger prize.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Bangladesh were 247 runs ahead when play resumed after a rain delay and, with 50 overs still to be bowled on the day, an earlier declaration could have forced a result.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Instead, Bangladesh batted on for 12 more overs and, with the innings break taken into account, more than an hour of potentially valuable time was lost on a wearing fifth-day pitch.<\/p>\r\n\r\n The delay gave Sri Lanka some hope but their top order crumbled under pressure. Lahiru Udara was stumped off a cleverly flighted delivery by Taijul Islam, while Pathum Nissanka gifted his wicket to Nayeem Hasan by spooning one straight to short mid-wicket.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Taijul struck two crucial blows, removing the experienced Angelo Mathews<\/strong> and Dinesh Chandimal in quick succession, but time ran out for Bangladesh.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Mathews, playing his 119th and final Test, walked off to a standing ovation as the crowd rose for one of Sri Lanka's greats.<\/p>\r\n\r\n "I can't believe the love I have received," said Mathews. "It's now up to the younger players to carry the baton and run."<\/p>\r\n\r\n There was a silver lining for Sri Lanka in the form of debutant Tharindu Rathnayake.<\/p>\r\n\r\n A six-wicket haul from two innings on his debut was praiseworthy enough but Rathnayake also showcased his rare ambidextrous skills. He dismissed Mominul Haque with off-spin, then switched to left-arm orthodox to account for Litton Das and Jaker Ali.<\/p>\r\n\r\n He also pulled off a sensational run out, firing a direct hit from mid-on to catch Mushfiqur Rahim short of his ground on 49.<\/p>\r\n\r\n The second Test will be played in Colombo next week.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Brief scores:<\/p>\r\n\r\n Bangladesh first innings: 495 all out (Mushfiqur Rahim 163, Najmul Hossain Shanto 148, Litton Das 90; Asitha Fernando 4-86)<\/p>\r\n\r\n Sri Lanka first innings: 485 all out (Pathum Nissanka 187, Kamindu Mendis 87, Dinesh Chandimal 54; Nayeem Hasan 5-121)<\/p>\r\n\r\n Bangladesh second innings: 285 for six declared (Najmul Hossain Shanto 125 not out, Shadman Islam 76; Tharindu Rathnayake 3-102)<\/p>\r\n\r\n