Tigers rattle Sri Lanka late on Day 5 but Galle Test ends in a draw

Bangladesh claimed four late wickets on Day Five to unsettle Sri Lanka, but the hosts stood firm against the spin threat to secure a draw in the first Test at the Galle International Stadium on Saturday.

The result marked the first drawn Test in Galle in 12 years, ending a run of 26 consecutive matches with a definitive result at the venue.

Set a target of 296 in the fourth innings, Sri Lanka slumped to 48 for four, with Taijul Islam sparking hopes of a thrilling finish by taking three wickets. However, captain Dhananjaya de Silva and Kamindu Mendis, both scoring 12, dug in to thwart Bangladesh's push for victory. With just five overs remaining, Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto signalled the end by agreeing to a draw.

Earlier in the day, Shanto struck his second century of the match as Bangladesh declared on 285 for six, despite weather interruptions, setting a challenging target for the home side. He reached his hundred with a reverse sweep for a single off debutant Tharindu Rathnayake, becoming only the second Bangladeshi – after Mominul Haque – to register centuries in both innings of a Test, a feat he had also achieved against Afghanistan in 2023.

Shanto's unbeaten 125 added to his commanding 148 in the first innings.

However, the timing of Bangladesh's declaration may come under scrutiny. With only 37 overs remaining in the day's play, questions linger over whether an earlier declaration might have provided enough time to force a result.

Rain severely disrupted the morning session, with Bangladesh resuming on 177 for three. The only wicket to fall before the delay was Mushfiqur Rahim, who was run out for 49 attempting a quick single, with Rathnayake executing a direct hit from mid-on.

Upon resumption, ambidextrous spinner Rathnayake made an immediate impact. He bowled Litton Das with a delivery that turned sharply past the bat, and soon after dismissed Jaker Ali, stumped after being beaten in the flight.