The World Test Championship cycle of 2025-27 got underway in Galle with Bangladesh getting off to a dominant start to their title bid, courtesy of a dominant batting effort on Day 1 of the first Test against Sri Lanka. After an early jitters, a determined and well-built stand between skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto (136) and veteran campaigner Mushfiqur Rahim (105) tilted the balance firmly in the visitors’ direction.
Sri Lanka, who had won the toss and decided to bowl on an otherwise arid Galle surface, delivered early blows through debutant medium pacer Tharindu Rathnayake, who sent opener Shadman Islam back and picked up another wicket to have Bangladesh in tatters at 45 for 3 within the opening hour. It seemed that Sri Lanka’s ploy of relying on spin could come good but soon that pace was checked.
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From there, it was the Shanto-Mushfiqur show. The duo not only stabilized the innings but took complete charge of proceedings with a masterly unbeaten partnership of 247 runs in the fourth wicket by stumps. Shanto, front and center, played with touches of flair and aggression, especially against spin, working his feet away well to find the gaps. At the other end, Mushfiqur gave the perfect foil—measured, methodical, and unstirred.
Both batters scored centuries, demonstrating their contrasting but complementary games—Shanto finished the day on 136 not out, unbeaten, while Mushfiqur ended on 105 not out. Their contributions took Bangladesh to a commanding position at 292 for 3 by stumps, turning the tables after a nerve-wracking beginning.
Sri Lanka, even in the emotional context of Angelo Mathews’ last Test, could not keep the pressure going after their initial success. Their bowlers, the spin pair of Prabath Jayasuriya and Tharindu Rathnayake in particular, worked tirelessly, bowling 61 overs for two wickets between them. The five-bowler combination provided no relief, and the attack began to lose bite as the day went on under the sun and persistent batting.
With the foundations in place, Bangladesh are now set to register a strong first-innings score, after gaining early ascendancy in this new chapter of the World Test Championship.
