SL, Bangladesh ends in stalemate after Najmul's 125*

Najmul Hossain Shanto's seventh Test hundred and a spirited bowling performance from the visitors were the highlights of a rain-hit fifth day's play in Galle as the first Test between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh ended in a draw. Angelo Mathews signed off from Test cricket with a 45-ball 8, being involved in a crucial 13-run stand off 81 balls with Dinesh Chandimal. Kamindu Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva also put on an important partnership worth 24, seeing off close to nine overs as they steered Sri Lanka into calmer waters. It is the first draw in Galle after 26 Tests.

Starting the day on 177 for 3 in their second innings, ahead by 187, Bangladesh made good progress as Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim extended their partnership past 100. Shanto struck regular boundaries as he entered the 80s while Rahim approached a half-century as the fourth wicket pair added 56 runs in the first hour. Rahim, however, fell one short of a fifty as he was run out attempting a quick single. Bangladesh were 237 for 4 when the heavens opened and the rain caused a lengthy delay, leading to an early Lunch, with play only resuming at 2:10 PM local time.

Tharindu Ratnayake struck in quick succession soon after play resumed, bagging the wickets of Litton Das and Jaker Ali. Shanto, meanwhile, moved towards the three-figure mark, and eventually got there, becoming the first Bangladesh batter to hit hundreds in each innings of a Test twice. He went on a six-hitting spree after that, striking three maximums before Bangladesh declared their innings, giving Sri Lanka a target of 296 in 37 overs.

Sri Lanka began the chase positively, with Lahiru Udara and Pathum Nissanka hitting six fours between them in the first six overs. However, Udara was stumped off Taijul Islam and Nissanka followed soon after, falling to Nayeem Hasan. This brought Mathews to the crease for one final time and the veteran, along with Dinesh Chandimal, took Sri Lanka through to Tea without further damage, although the pressure was on the hosts with the Bangladesh spinners finding a lot of purchase from the Day 5 wicket.

Chandimal took 16 deliveries for his first run but Sri Lanka's focus was more on getting towards safety rather than going for the runs. Mathews was also happy dead-batting the spinners before starting to rotate the strike. Taijul operated with an around the wicket angle and Mathews was happy padding it away. Bangladesh even chanced a review but ended up wasting it as the ball was pitched outside leg. But Mathews' stay ended in the same over as he was caught at silly point. Taijul then bowled a superb delivery to castle Chandimal, leaving Sri Lanka at 48 for 4, with 13.5 overs still left in the day.

Mendis and de Silva batted solidly, denying any avenues for Bangladesh to force their way for a result. They were watchful initially before scoring at a fair clip, with de Silva even striking a six off Nayeem. De Silva also survived a review and with five overs left, the players shook hands as the match finished in a draw, with Sri Lanka finishing on 72 for 4.

Brief scores: Bangladesh 495 (Mushfiqur Rahim 163, Najmul Hossain Shanto 148; Asitha Fernando 4-86) & 285/6 decl. (Najmul Hossain Shanto 125*, Shadman Islam 76; Tharindu Ratnayake 3-102) drew with Sri Lanka 485 (Pathum Nissanka 187, Kamindu Mendis 87; Nayeem Hasan 5-121) & 72/4 (Pathum Nissanka 24; Taijul Islam 3-23).