Bangladesh’s captain Najmul Hossain Shanto celebrates after scoring a century during the fifth day of the first cricket test match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Galle, Sri Lanka, on June 21, 2025.
| Photo Credit: AP
Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto blasted twin centuries to help his side draw the first Test against Sri Lanka on Saturday (June 21, 2025), while Angelo Mathews brought the curtain down on his red-ball career after more than 100 games for the hosts.
Shanto followed up his first-innings hundred with an unbeaten 125 in the second stanza after Mushfiqur Rahim was run out for 49, and Bangladesh declared on 285 for six to set Sri Lanka a steep victory target of 296 runs from 37 overs.
Sri Lanka lost a couple of quick wickets before Mathews held steadfast with the bat — albeit barely scoring any runs. Bangladesh called it a day with the score on 72 for four with five overs left.
Bangladesh had made Sri Lanka toil on the opening two days, amassing 495 runs in the first innings including 148 for Shanto and 163 for Rahim, with Litton Das (90).
Pathum Nissanka piled up 187 runs before Dinesh Chandimal (54) and Kamindu Mendis (87) helped the hosts reach 485 to concede only a 10-run lead at the halfway mark.
Nayeem Hasan, claimed five for 121 — his fourth five-wicket haul. The tourists then roared to 177 for three in their second innings at the end of the penultimate day with Shadman Islam (76).
After showers late in the opening session on the fifth day wiped out 26 overs, Shanto reached his well-deserved hundred.
The day also marked a poignant farewell. Mathews bowed out of the test arena. He fell for 8, caught off bat-pad, and each Bangladeshi fielder made a beeline to salute a fine career. A man for all seasons, Mathews had captained Sri Lanka to its first series win in England — in 2014 — and he wore the whites 119 times for his country.
“It’s sad to walk away but the love I have received from everyone is truly amazing,” he said.
“The best memory for me is winning the test series in England. Then, of course, we beat Australia 3-0 in 2016. Not often you whitewash the Aussies in a Test series,” Mathews added. “Thankful for everyone who has been with me.” Captain Dhananjaya de Silva paid tribute to Mathews as “a superb player and a leader.”
“He has won us so many games and those shoes are big shoes to fill,” he said. “We wish him well. He will be missed.”
The scores: Bangladesh 495 & 285/6 in 87 overs (Shanto 125 n.o. Shadman 76; Tharindu 3/102) drew with Sri Lanka 485 & 72/4 in 32 overs (Taijul 3/23).
PoM: Shanto.
Published – June 21, 2025 11:35 pm IST