Did Sri Lanka and Bangladesh End in a Draw in Mathews' Final Test Match?
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Synopsis
The opening Test of the 2025–27 World Test Championship cycle between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka ended in a thrilling draw at Galle. With gripping performances from both teams, including notable achievements by Najmul Hossain Shanto and Taijul Islam, the match left fans wondering what might have been.
Key Takeaways
- Sri Lanka managed to resist pressure in the final session.
- Taijul Islam excelled with the ball, claiming key wickets.
- Najmul Hossain Shanto achieved a remarkable double century.
- Strategic decisions regarding declaration played a crucial role.
- Both teams showed resilience in challenging conditions.
Galle, June 21 (NationPress) The inaugural Test match of the 2025–27 World Test Championship cycle between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka concluded in a gripping draw at Galle, where Sri Lanka successfully batted through 32 overs during the final session, finishing at 72/4.
While the outcome may appear straightforward, the match was anything but uneventful. Bangladesh exerted relentless pressure with their bowling, while Sri Lanka managed to survive the onslaught just in time.
Facing a theoretical target of 296 runs from 37 overs, Sri Lanka never truly committed to chasing the score aggressively, yet their journey to safety was fraught with challenges. They lost four wickets in the closing session, as Taijul Islam and Nayeem Hasan adeptly capitalized on the sharply turning pitch. Taijul emerged as Bangladesh's key bowler, taking 3 wickets for 23 runs, including the crucial dismissals of Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal in rapid succession.
The match left Bangladesh pondering the “what ifs.” Following a rain delay that lasted over two and a half hours after lunch, the visitors chose to continue batting rather than declaring right away. Their goal was clear: to enable skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto to secure his second century of the match, which he achieved just 50 balls after play resumed.
During that interval, Bangladesh managed only 19 runs while losing two wickets before Shanto launched a counter-attack, hitting an impressive series of boundaries, including three sixes. However, by the time they declared at 285/6, only 37 overs were left in the day.
Had Bangladesh opted to declare their innings earlier, even with a 247-run lead at the break, they could have had as many as 50 overs to bowl at Sri Lanka. The sharp turn and bounce in the final session, partly due to moisture under the covers, significantly benefited the spinners. Taijul and Nayeem looked particularly dangerous, and with more time, they might have had a real chance at snatching victory.
Earlier in the match, Bangladesh set a solid foundation with a massive 247-run partnership between Shanto (148) and Mushfiqur Rahim (163), propelling them to a total of 485. Sri Lanka fell just 10 runs short in their reply, thanks to Pathum Nissanka's career-best 187, with contributions from Chandimal and Kamindu Mendis as well. Nayeem Hasan led Bangladesh's bowling with a five-wicket haul.
Brief scores: Bangladesh 495 & 285/6 in 87 overs (Najmul Hossain Shanto 125, Mushfiqur Rahim 49; Tharindu Rathnayake 3/102) draw against Sri Lanka 485 & 72/4 (Pathum Nissanka 24, Kamindu Mendis 12; Taijul Islam 3/23)
Point of View
It’s clear that both teams displayed remarkable skill and tenacity in this match. While the draw may seem like a fair outcome, the tactical decisions made by Bangladesh, especially regarding their declaration timing, raise questions about missed opportunities. The experience and expertise of both teams were on full display, and it’s a testament to the level of competition in the World Test Championship.
NationPress
21/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of the match?
The match ended in a draw with Bangladesh scoring 495 & 285/6 and Sri Lanka scoring 485 & 72/4.
Who was the standout player for Bangladesh?
Najmul Hossain Shanto was the standout player for Bangladesh, scoring 148 runs in the first innings and 125 in the second.
What impact did the rain delay have on the match?
The rain delay led Bangladesh to reconsider their declaration, which ultimately altered the dynamics of the last session of play.
