Galle witnessed a remarkable display of resilience and determination as Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and veteran Mushfiqur Rahim orchestrated a stunning recovery against Sri Lanka in the first Test of the series on June 17, 2025. Their unbroken 247-run partnership not only rescued Bangladesh from a precarious position but also etched their names in the record books. However, the day was also tinged with bittersweet emotion as Angelo Mathews, playing his final Test match, watched the pair fall just short of breaking a significant record.
Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat, but the start was far from ideal. Sri Lanka's debutant off-spinner Tharindu Rathnayake made an immediate impact, claiming two early wickets and leaving Bangladesh struggling at 45-3. With the top order faltering, the onus fell on Shanto and Mushfiqur to steady the ship. What followed was a masterclass in Test match batting, as the pair combined sound temperament, clever shot selection, and unwavering resolve to frustrate the Sri Lankan bowlers.
Shanto, leading from the front, showcased his aggressive intent by dispatching anything loose. He reached his seventh Test century, and second against Sri Lanka, with a cheeky paddle sweep, marking his first ton since November 2023. His innings was laced with 14 boundaries and a six. At the other end, Mushfiqur, playing his 97th Test, silenced his critics with a timely century, ending a lean patch of 13 innings without a half-century. The veteran, who had previously scored a double hundred in Galle in 2013, proved to be a thorn in Sri Lanka's side once again. He had a slice of luck when a miscued pull on 25 was dropped.
As the day progressed, the Shanto-Mushfiqur partnership blossomed, setting a new record for Bangladesh's highest fourth-wicket stand in Tests against Sri Lanka, surpassing the previous record of 180 runs. They continued to dominate on Day 2, but Shanto fell short of 150, getting dismissed for 148.
While Shanto and Mushfiqur were scripting their epic revival, Angelo Mathews was playing his final Test match. The 38-year-old veteran, who announced his retirement from Test cricket in May 2025, was given a guard of honour by his teammates. Mathews has been a pillar of Sri Lankan cricket for 16 years. He will retire with over 8,000 runs in Tests, behind only Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene for Sri Lanka.
The Galle Test is the first in the 2025-2027 cycle of the World Test Championship. Bangladesh will look to capitalize on their strong start and put Sri Lanka under pressure, while the hosts will need to regroup and find a way to break the Shanto-Mushfiqur partnership to get back into the game.
