Angelo Mathews drew curtains on his Test career as Sri Lanka played out a draw against Bangladesh at Galle on Saturday. Chasing a mammoth 295 in the final innings, Sri Lanka stuttered to 72/4 before the captains shook hands. Najmul Hasan Shanto smashed twin centuries, while Pathum Nissanka and Mushfiqur Rahim also got tons on a flat batting track at Galle.
SL vs BAN 1st Test: Shanto smashes twin tons, Sri Lanka play out draw
Najmul Hasan Shanto scored his second century of the game to put Bangladesh in control. The visiting skipper had scored 148 in the first innings, and added an unbeaten 125 in the second innings. The Tigers put on 285, with Mushfiqur Rahim run out for 49 setting SL needing 296 to win in 37 overs.
Taijul Islam gave Sri Lanka a scare with a three-fer, but Sri Lanka held firm. Mathews in his last act as Test batter, scored 8 of 45 balls, to ensure the game steered towards a draw. Eventually, the game was called a draw with 5 overs left, with SL 72/4. It was the first draw at Galle after 26 tests.
Bangladesh had earlier batted for 2 days to put on a mammoth 495. Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim scored tons, while Litton Das scored 90 in a toil for the host bowling attack.
Sri Lanka in response put on a spirited effort, led by Pathum Nissanka’s 187. Dinesh Chandimal and Kamindu Mendis scored half-centuries as the hosts were bowled out 485, handing just a slender 10-run led.
Bangladesh had 177/3 at the end of Day 4, putting them in a position of strength. The opening session was washed out due to rain, but Bangladesh batted on with Shanto getting another century.
The result was the first drawn game in Galle for 12 years. The second test starts in Colombo next Wednesday, and the two sides later play three one-day internationals and three Twenty20 internationals.
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