Bangladesh Sets Record Partnership Against Sri Lanka in 1st Test Day

Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim forged an unbroken 247-run partnership, the highest fourth-wicket stand for Bangladesh against Sri Lanka in Tests, to put Bangladesh in a commanding position at 293-3 on the first day of the opening Test in Galle. After Bangladesh was struggling at 45-3, the duo steadied the innings with Shanto scoring an unbeaten 136 and Mushfiqur ending a lean patch with an unbeaten 105. Mushfiqur, the most capped Bangladeshi Test player, credited his return to form after 13 innings without a fifty, while Shanto exhibited aggressive and controlled strokeplay. Despite Sri Lanka's early breakthroughs, including two wickets by debutant Tharindu Ratnayake, the partnership dominated the second half of the day, resisting the fresh second new ball. This Test match is part of the new World Test Championship cycle and also marks the final appearance of former Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews. The partnership was widely praised for its resilience and strategic batting on a pitch expected to deteriorate, putting Bangladesh in a strong position to pressure Sri Lanka.