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We are all set for the final session on Day 1 in Galle. The players and umpires have made their way out, and the well-set duo of Mushfiqur Rahim (66*) and skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto (70*) will look to carry on from where they left off. Their resilient 137-run partnership has steadied Bangladesh after early blows, and they’ll aim to pile on the runs in this crucial phase. Tharindu Ratnayake, still searching for a breakthrough despite trying everything in his debut outing, will start proceedings with the ball in hand.
A dominant afternoon session for Bangladesh saw Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim firmly take control of the opening Test in Galle. The pair added 92 runs in 30 overs without losing a wicket, frustrating the Sri Lankan bowlers who toiled in search of a breakthrough.
Debutant Tharindu Ratnayake tried switching bowling hands to unsettle the batters, while skipper Dhananjaya de Silva briefly rolled his arm over, but nothing worked. Prabath Jayasuriya bowled a disciplined 17-over spell, conceding just 46 runs, but the Bangladeshi duo looked assured.
Shanto led from the front with a composed 70 off 143 balls, while Rahim, ever reliable, remains unbeaten on 66 off 111. Their unbroken 137-run stand has put Bangladesh in a commanding position as we head into the evening session.
Fifty up for Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto — a gritty, well-constructed knock under pressure after the early top-order collapse. His composed innings has anchored the visitors’ recovery alongside veteran Mushfiqur Rahim, who has also notched up a brilliant half-century — his 28th in Test cricket. The experienced duo has now stitched together a vital 123-run stand for the fourth wicket, steering Bangladesh into a position of stability and control after being rocked early by Sri Lanka’s seamers.
Drinks in the afternoon session, and Bangladesh have steadied the ship thanks to a resilient partnership between Najmul Hossain Shanto (43*) and Mushfiqur Rahim (45*). The senior duo has added 89 crucial runs for the fourth wicket, rebuilding confidently after early blows from Asitha Fernando and debutant Tharindu Ratnayake. At 134/3 in 43 overs, the visitors look to be regaining control.
FOUR RUNS AND A LIFE! A short-of-a-length delivery aimed at the stumps, and Mushfiqur Rahim climbs on his toes to pull it firmly toward mid-wicket. The fielder dives across but can’t hold on as the ball bursts through his hands and races to the boundary. The replay confirms a definite drop—Rahim survives, and Bangladesh breathe a sigh of relief. Both the batters have already added 70 runs in 110 deliveries with Bangladesh looking to build big on day 1.
We’re back for the afternoon session on Day 1 of the first Test of the new WTC cycle. The players and umpires are out in the middle as action resumes in Galle. Najmul Hossain Shanto (25*) and Mushfiqur Rahim (20*) will look to extend their crucial fourth-wicket partnership for Bangladesh. Tharindu Ratnayake, who struck twice before lunch on debut, will begin proceedings for Sri Lanka in this session.
It’s Sri Lanka who head into the lunch break with the upper hand after an eventful first session in Galle. Bangladesh, after opting to bat first in the opening Test of the new World Test Championship cycle, found themselves reeling at 90/3 after 28 overs at the interval.
The visitors suffered an early blow when Anamul Haque was dismissed for a 10-ball duck by Asitha Fernando, edging to the keeper with just 3 runs on the board. Shadman Islam (14) and Mominul Haque (29) tried to steady the ship with a measured stand, but debutant Tharindu Ratnayake turned the tide with a double strike. First, he lured Shadman into edging one to first slip with a perfect drifting delivery, and then had Mominul caught in the cordon with a sharp off-break that was brilliantly snapped up by Dhananjaya de Silva after a third-umpire review.
Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (25*) and the experienced Mushfiqur Rahim (20*) have since added an unbroken 45-run stand, showing composure against both spin and pace. They’ve resisted further damage with sound judgment and careful strokeplay, and will be key to Bangladesh’s hopes of posting a respectable first-innings total.
Sri Lanka will look to break this crucial partnership early in the second session, while Bangladesh will hope their middle order can build from here. Join us after the break for what promises to be another absorbing phase of Test cricket.
Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto and most experienced Mushfiqur Rahim are holding up the Bangladesh inning before any collapse to lunch. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has looked solid in the middle, anchoring Bangladesh’s innings with an unbeaten 25 off 42 deliveries, while Mushfiqur Rahim chipped in with a useful 20 from 31 balls. The pair added some stability after early blows, with Shanto continuing to hold one end firm at 28 overs into the innings.
Sri Lanka struck early and hard in Galle as debutant Tharindu Ratnayake made an immediate impact, removing both set batters in a terrific opening spell. After Asitha Fernando had sent Anamul Haque back for a 10-ball duck, Ratnayake weaved magic with flight, drift, and turn to claim his maiden Test wicket — inducing an outside edge from Shadman Islam, safely pouched by Dhananjaya de Silva at slip. Ratnayake then returned to dismiss Mominul Haque, who looked in good touch, with a short ball outside off that drew a loose cut and another sharp catch from DDS. Though Sri Lanka had earlier wasted a review and de Silva had dropped Mominul on 21, the debutant spinner ensured no further damage, restricting Bangladesh to 46/3 in just over an hour on a turning track.
Two of the most experienced Shadman Islam and Mominul Haque have already stitched 26-runs partnership in 51 deliveries. Apart from Fernando rest of the Sri Lankan bowlers have looked dim and have leaked runs giving extra cushion to the batters.
EDGED AND GONE! Asitha Fernando strikes early to give Sri Lanka the perfect start to the new World Test Championship cycle. Bowling a touch fuller and just outside off, he tempts Anamul Haque into the drive. The Bangladesh opener obliges, but only manages a thick outside edge. Kusal Mendis, sharp as ever behind the stumps, dives to his right and takes a clean catch. Anamul departs for a 10-ball duck, and Sri Lanka have their first breakthrough in style. It’s disciplined bowling from Asitha, who sticks to a probing line and reaps the reward.
Five runs comes of the first over of the Bangladesh inning courtesy of a boundary form Shadman Islam and a single of Asitha Fernando.
Milan Rathnayake will share the new ball from the Fort End, with an attacking field in place. Two slips and a gully are ready to pounce, while the infield is packed with a square leg, backward point, cover, mid-off, and mid-on.
Shadman Islam and Anamaul Haque open the innings for Bangladesh. Asitha Fernando takes the new ball for Sri Lanka.
Angelo Mathews walks onto the field to a heartfelt guard of honour from young local players, marking the beginning of his farewell Test. With a calm smile and composed stride, he leads the Sri Lankan team out one final time in whites, as the umpires take their positions and the crowd rises to salute a modern great.
Angelo Mathews: “I can’t believe the amount of love I am receiving from all over the world. I am grateful and thankful to all of them. I want to thank the almighty for blessing me with such a wonderful career. I want to thank my parents, my wife and kids. My school, my club and my closest friends who are here today. I’m extremely proud to have such a journey.
Feeling quite special, I’ve played over 100 Tests for the country, it was my dream which has come true and I am happy to be a part of this amazing journey that Sri Lanka cricket has had over the last decade.”
Bangladesh Playing XI: Shadman Islam, Anamul Haque, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Jaker Ali, Taijul Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana, Nayeem Hasan
Sri Lanka Playing XI: Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (c), Kusal Mendis (wk), Milan Rathnayake, Tharindu Ratnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando
Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bat first.
Tharindu Ratnayake and Lahiru Udara are set to make their Test debuts for Sri Lanka.
Just days after South Africa lifted the Test mace at Lord’s, marking the end of one World Test Championship cycle, a fresh chapter begins in the historic coastal city of Galle. The scenic venue is all set to host the first Test between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, kicking off the 2025–27 WTC cycle.
This will soon be followed by a high-stakes five-Test series between England and India, with clashes scheduled at Headingley, Edgbaston, Lord’s, Old Trafford, and The Oval. Reigning champions Australia will begin their title defence with a three-Test battle in the West Indies, vying for the prestigious Frank Worrell Trophy.
Across the two-year cycle, each of the nine participating teams will play six opponents—three at home and three away—with a points percentage system continuing to determine standings. Teams earn 12 points for a win, six for a tie, and four for a draw, ensuring consistency and competitiveness throughout.
Powerhouses like India, England, and Australia will feature prominently, with marquee contests such as the Ashes, India’s 18-match campaign, and England’s December 2026 tour to South Africa among the major highlights.
The upcoming Galle Test will mark the farewell appearance of Sri Lankan veteran Angelo Mathews, as the 38-year-old bids adieu to the longest format of the game. A pillar of Sri Lanka’s middle order for over a decade and a half, Mathews retires with an impressive tally of 8,167 Test runs, placing him third on the country’s all-time list behind legends Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.
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Fans in India can watch the Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh 1st Test match live on the FanCode and SonyLIV apps and websites. The match will also be telecast live on the Sony Sports Network channels.
Sri Lanka: Dhananjaya de Silva (c), Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Angelo Mathews, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Sonal Dinusha, Pavan Rathnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya, Tharindu Ratnayake, Akila Dananjaya, Milan Rathnayake, Asitha Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Isitha Wijesundara
Bangladesh: Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (vc), Shadman Islam, Anamul Haque, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Jaker Ali (wk), Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Hasan Murad, Ebadot Hossain, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana, Khaled Ahmed
Welcome to our live coverage of Day 1 of the Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh, first Test match at Galle. The action begins at 10:00 AM IST. Stay tuned for live updates.
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