In Galle, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh gained a strong position by the close of Day 4 in the opening cricket test match against Sri Lanka. Bangladesh reached a score of 177-3 in their second innings on Friday, establishing a lead of 187 runs.
With seven wickets still available and the surface beginning to deteriorate, the visiting team is hopeful of achieving a rare overseas test victory and accumulating valuable World Test Championship points.
After earning a slight first-innings lead of 10 runs, Bangladesh batted with clear positive intent, showing they were determined to do more than just survive.
Shadman Islam set the pace, first partnering with Anamul Haque to add 24 for the opening wicket, followed by a 36-run partnership with Mominul Haque. However, it was his third-wicket union — a solid 68-run collaboration with captain Najmul Hossain Shanto — that genuinely shifted the momentum in Bangladesh’s favor.
Shadman crafted a composed innings of 76, expertly handling both spin and pace with a keen eye and soft touch. Though his innings ended when Milan Rathnayake had him trapped in the front, the groundwork for Bangladesh’s favorable position had already been established.
Subsequently, the experienced Mushfiqur Rahim joined his captain, with both being centurions in the initial innings, to consolidate their progress and extend their lead beyond 150, thus weakening Sri Lanka’s hopes of an evening breakthrough.
Earlier in the day, off-spinner Nayeem Hasan had played a pivotal role in shifting power towards the visitors during Sri Lanka’s first innings. Held on 470-6 and threatening to extend their lead, Nayeem stepped in. His five-wicket achievement — his fourth in test cricket — was a showcase of skill and finesse, as he dismantled the lower order, concluding Sri Lanka’s innings at 485 and granting Bangladesh a slim lead of 10.
A crucial moment was the dismissal of Kamindu Mendis, who had posed consistent problems for Bangladesh. As Mendis neared a score of 87, without major errors, Nayeem’s subtle strategy was rewarded, the ball finding the edge for a neat catch by Litton Das.
“My variation was key,” Nayeem explained, emphasizing his strategy of maintaining consistent delivery and altering seam position to keep the batsmen guessing.
In addition, Hasan Mahmud provided excellent support, delivering with precision and reverse swing, claiming three wickets and maintaining pressure from his end. Together, they orchestrated significant damage, reducing Sri Lanka’s lineup by four wickets for just 15 runs, marking a turning point in the test match.
Despite Bangladesh’s dominant position, Kamindu Mendis expressed optimism, stating, “Our first target is to get their wickets. Our aim is also to win the game. If we can dismiss them in the first session, we could chase that down,” he asserted.
While he acknowledged the pitch conditions, he also noted, “By the fourth day’s end, the Galle pitch will turn,” yet highlighting that spin was more evident in the initial hour earlier in the day than later on. “We will reassess based on the pitch’s behavior,” he concluded.