Bangladesh hold the edge but Galle Test ends in draw
Najmul Hossain Shanto hits twin tons against Sri Lanka ,Cricfrenzy
For the first time since 2013, a Test match at Galle ended in a draw—and just like last time, it was between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. In the last 12 years, 26 consecutive Tests at this venue had produced results. Out of the 45 Tests played here overall, this was only the seventh to end without a winner.
Bangladesh resumed Day 5 on 177 for 3, and the intent should have been clear—push for a win. But skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim batted cautiously, scoring only 60 runs in 19 overs in the first session. Mushfiqur fell for 49 off 102 balls, and just as play was building up, rain halted proceedings for nearly three hours.
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Once play resumed, many expected Bangladesh to declare immediately. Instead,Tigers came out to bat again. Shanto was nearing his century. He eventually brought up his second Test match "twin century"—his hundred in each innings—reaching the milestone off 190 balls. While it's undoubtedly a personal achievement, questions remain about whether team interests were compromised in the pursuit of individual glory.
Only after securing the hundred did Shanto declare the innings—11 overs later. Those overs could have allowed Bangladesh bowlers a few extra chances, possibly changing the course of the match.
The pitch on Day 5 was showing signs of wear, with cracks opening and the ball behaving unpredictably—staying low at times and jumping off a length. Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam capitalized on the conditions brilliantly, rattling Sri Lanka’s batting order.
Set a target of 296, Sri Lanka lost both openers within the first 15 overs. Taijul removed Lahiru Udara early, and then dismissed centurion Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal, and veteran Angelo Mathews, who was playing his final Test and managed just 8 off 45 balls in his farewell innings.
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As the final session progressed, the tension escalated. Bangladesh attacked with aggressive field settings, while the Sri Lankan batters held firm in staunch defence.
With 6 wickets needed in the final 8 overs, the pressure mounted. A moment of drama came when a Taijul delivery brushed past Dhananjaya de Silva’s bat—or so it seemed. A review confirmed there was no contact, and with that, Bangladesh’s last hope faded. The match ended in a handshake, and with it, the Tigers had to settle for a draw.
