Najmul Hossain Shanto brought up a magnificent century to lead Bangladesh’s strong response on Day 1 of the opening Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. The skipper rose to the occasion with a commanding knock—his sixth in Test cricket and second against Sri Lanka—after his side was reeling at 45/3 in the morning session.
Playing with maturity and calm, Shanto weathered the early storm and then flourished, finding an ideal partner in Mushfiqur Rahim. Together, they forged a brilliant 190-plus stand that not only rescued Bangladesh but also put them in a position of strength by stumps.
Shanto reached his hundred in the final session, celebrating in style after paddling one fine and sprinting for two—his joy evident as he leaped with bat and helmet in hand.
This century marked his second in five innings on Sri Lankan soil and pushed his run tally against them to over 320 in seven Tests. Now approaching 2,000 Test runs in his 36-match career, Shanto’s ton came at a crucial time, reflecting both personal growth and leadership resolve.
With Mushfiqur providing experience at the other end, the Tigers ensured they did not lose a wicket in the entire post-lunch session—turning early trouble into a day of dominance.
