In the Galle Test, Bangladesh posted 495 runs in their first innings. In reply, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 485 early in the second session on Day 4. With a slim 10-run lead, Bangladesh came out to bat again, and thanks to fifties from Shadman Islam and Najmul Hossain Shanto, they ended the fourth day in a strong position — leading by 187 runs.
Bangladesh lost their first wicket early, at the team total of 24 runs. Just like in the first innings, opener Anamul Haque Bijoy failed again, scoring only 4 runs off 20 balls before being dismissed. Shadman Islam then partnered with Mominul Haque at the crease, adding 36 runs together. However, Mominul couldn’t capitalize on his start and was dismissed for 14 runs off 40 balls with the score at 60.
Shadman, anchoring one end, continued to bat steadily with support from captain Najmul Hossain Shanto. During this stand, Shadman brought up his sixth Test fifty. He and Shanto put together a 68-run partnership before Shadman, looking set for a century, was dismissed for 76 runs off 126 balls with the team score at 128.
After Shadman’s dismissal, Mushfiqur Rahim joined Shanto at the crease, and the pair kept the scoreboard ticking. The Bangladesh captain reached his half-century with confident batting. Without losing any further wickets, the duo safely saw out the remainder of the day.
At stumps on Day 4, Bangladesh had reached 177 for 3 in 57 overs. Shanto was unbeaten on 56, while Mushfiqur remained not out on 22.
