Bangladesh tightened their grip on the opening Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, posting a formidable 484/9 by the end of SL vs BAN 1st test Day 2, powered by a magnificent 163 from Mushfiqur Rahim and a stylish 90 from Litton Das. Despite Bangladesh’s upper hand for most of the day, Sri Lanka mounted a spirited comeback in the final session to claw their way back into the contest, setting up an intriguing Day 3.
Day 2 Done! Bangladesh 484/9. Big fightback from our boys in the last session. All eyes on a strong start to Day 3! #SLvBAN #WTC27 pic.twitter.com/YRyXFU9ef9
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) June 18, 2025
Mushfiqur Rahim Orchestrates the Innings with a Masterful 163
Mushfiqur Rahim once again stood tall as the bedrock of Bangladesh’s innings. Building on a strong platform laid on the first day, he resumed his innings with supreme confidence. Displaying immense patience and technical finesse, Rahim’s 163-run knock was a lesson in classic Test match batting. He batted with a calm authority, unfazed by Sri Lanka’s attempts to break his rhythm.
Rahim was especially effective against spin, nullifying Prabath Jayasuriya’s consistent probing from one end. He frequently used the depth of the crease to play late and with soft hands, frustrating the bowlers with his ability to rotate strike and find gaps with precision. His footwork was exemplary, and his experience shone through as he weathered the early morning spells and cashed in on anything marginally loose.
His 150 came shortly after lunch and was brought up with signature flair — two crisp boundaries that dissected the field effortlessly. It was his seventh score in excess of 150 in Test cricket, a testament to his longevity and consistent excellence in the longest format. Eventually, he fell to Asitha Fernando, chipping a delivery to mid-off, ending a stellar knock that had anchored the innings for more than five sessions.
Najmul Hossain Shanto’s Composed 148 Sets the Tone
While Rahim drew the headlines on Day 2, Najmul Hossain Shanto’s contribution on Day 1 was equally pivotal. His composed 148 provided Bangladesh with a stable foundation, allowing the middle order to play with freedom. Shanto, who had been eyeing a maiden double-century, began the day positively with a beautifully timed flick for four but fell shortly thereafter, dismissed by Fernando after adding just six more runs to his overnight score.
Nonetheless, his century set the tone for the innings. Shanto’s temperament and shot selection under pressure gave Bangladesh the early control of the Test. His partnership with Rahim, worth 261 runs, not only stabilized the innings after early losses but also significantly demoralized the Sri Lankan bowlers.
SL vs BAN: Litton Das Brings Flair and Momentum with a Brisk 90
Litton Das’ innings added much-needed pace to the scoreboard. After coming to the crease with the platform already built, Litton played with flair and confidence. His innings was marked by crisp boundaries, well-judged aggression, and a willingness to take the attack to the bowlers.
He began cautiously, surviving two crucial chances — first a run-out where both he and Rahim ended up at the same end, and later a dropped catch by Pathum Nissanka. Taking advantage of his reprieves, Litton went on the offensive, punishing both seamers and spinners alike. His shot selection was impressive, as he peppered the offside with powerful drives and executed delicate sweeps and paddles against spin.
The highlight of his knock was his approach against Jayasuriya, from whom he plundered multiple boundaries in quick succession, even dancing down the wicket to deposit the spinner over the infield. His 90 came off just 115 deliveries, accelerating Bangladesh’s scoring during a crucial middle session. Unfortunately for the visitors, Litton fell just ten runs short of what would have been a richly deserved century, adjudged LBW to Rathnayake.
Rain Curtails Play but Can’t Halt Bangladesh’s Charge
A mid-afternoon rain delay halted play for over two hours, disrupting Bangladesh’s momentum at a critical juncture. Prior to the interruption, the visitors had looked set to breach the 500-run mark comfortably. The enforced break, however, allowed Sri Lanka to regroup and return with renewed vigor.
Upon resumption, the pitch offered variable bounce and some assistance to the seamers. Sri Lanka capitalized on the sluggish conditions and the new ball, tightening their lines and reaping rewards through disciplined bowling. Their efforts were aided by a slight dip in concentration from the Bangladesh tail, and the final session saw a dramatic shift in momentum.
Sri Lanka’s Bowlers Spark a Late Fightback
The final session belonged to the hosts. After Rahim and Litton’s 149-run stand ended, Sri Lanka seized the opportunity to mount a counterattack. Tharindu Rathnayake removed Litton and opened the door for the tail-end collapse. Milan Rathnayake, in particular, bowled with aggression and purpose. His ability to generate late movement and keep the batsmen guessing proved decisive.
Rathnayake cleaned up Jaker Ali with a sharp inswinger and then removed Taijul Islam in his next over, showcasing his control and consistency. He claimed his third wicket when Nayeem Hasan edged behind to Kusal Mendis, finishing the day with an impressive 3/38. Asitha Fernando also ended with 3/79, having provided key breakthroughs at vital moments.
This late resurgence prevented Bangladesh from completely running away with the game. From a dominant 458/4, the visitors collapsed to 484/9, losing five wickets for just 26 runs — a turnaround that breathed new life into Sri Lanka’s prospects.
Partnership Progression and Momentum Shifts
The batting partnerships throughout the innings tell the story of Bangladesh’s dominance and Sri Lanka’s late comeback:
- Shanto and Rahim: 261-run stand — the bedrock of the innings, dominated by timing, technique, and patience.
- Rahim and Litton: 149-run stand — brisk, boundary-laden, and instrumental in pushing the scoring rate.
- Final five wickets: Fell for just 26 runs — Sri Lanka’s bowlers exploited conditions and capitalized on fatigue and overconfidence.
These phases highlight the crucial ebb and flow of momentum, which could play a significant role in shaping the remainder of the match.
SL vs BAN Scorecard Snapshot – Bangladesh 1st Innings
- Mushfiqur Rahim – 163 (324 balls, 18 fours)
- Najmul Hossain Shanto – 148 (276 balls, 21 fours)
- Litton Das – 90 (115 balls, 14 fours)
- Milan Rathnayake – 3/38 (12 overs)
- Asitha Fernando – 3/79 (19 overs)
- Tharindu Rathnayake – 2/103 (31 overs)
Looking Ahead to SL vs BAN Day 3
With just one wicket in hand, Bangladesh will seek to squeeze out as many additional runs as possible early on Day 3. For Sri Lanka, their bowlers’ late success has lifted spirits, but the real test now lies with the bat. The pitch at Galle is expected to deteriorate further, bringing spinners into greater relevance as the match progresses.
Sri Lanka’s top order must lay a solid foundation, as a poor start could see Bangladesh take complete control. The onus will be on experienced campaigners like Dimuth Karunaratne and Angelo Mathews to anchor the innings and counter the threat of Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan, who will relish bowling on a surface beginning to offer spin.
A captain’s knock from the Bangladesh skipper 💪
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) June 18, 2025
LIVE: https://t.co/3H5MpjdLAc | #SLvBAN pic.twitter.com/607Rixq9EC
Conclusion
Day 2 of the SL vs BAN 1st Test was a compelling chapter in what promises to be an enthralling contest. Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das combined skill, flair, and temperament to give Bangladesh a dominant position. Yet, Sri Lanka’s spirited late comeback ensured that the game remains finely balanced. With the pitch expected to play more tricks as the match unfolds, both teams have everything to play for as they head into the crucial third day.
