Centurions Shanto, Rahim run riot in Galle

By: Shamil Amit

Tons by skipper Najmil Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim saw Bangladesh recover after a shaky start on day one in the first Test match against Sri Lanka played at the Galle International Stadium.

The pair put on an unbroken 247-run stand for the fourth wicket for Bangladesh to end the day in a strong position of 292 for 3 with Shanto unbeaten on 136 and Rahim on 105.

Bangladesh was in a spot after skipper Shanto won the toss and opted to take first lease of the wicket as they lost three early wickets with the scoreboard reading 45. It was debutant and dual purpose spinner Tharindu Ratnayake who did the early damage bagging two of the three wickets to fall.

But that was the only success for the Sri Lanka bowlers as skipper Shanto and Rahim had things their own way as they piled up runs with the minimum of fuss.

They held on and in the process added 45 runs for Bangladesh to go into the lunch break on 90 for 3. Three overs into the post-lunch session saw the pair post their 50-run stand. Shanto was the first to reach the half ton that took him 107 balls and with that the 100 runs partnership was posted.

In the next over Rahim raced to his half ton coming off 84 balls as they went into the tea break with the score on 182 for 3.

They had little threat from the Sri Lanka bowlers as they went on to post the 150-run stand which later followed with Bangladesh putting up their 200 runs on the board before Shanto reached his 100 from 202 balls which had 11 boundaries and a six.

The pair followed by posting the 200-run stand and Rahim on the brink of a ton but did not achieve it before Bangladesh put up their 250 runs on the board.

Rahim succeeded to race to his 100 reaching it in 176 balls inclusive of four boundaries.

Sri Lanka ended with two wicketless sessions and Lahiru Udara was the second debutant of Sri Lanka beside Tharindu Ratnayake.

Pix by: Jayamal Chandrasiri