In a nail-biting climax at Galle, the opening Test between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh (SL vs BAN) ended in a draw, with both sides left to wonder about what might have been. The game also saw the emotional goodbye of experienced all-rounder Angelo Mathews, making the outcome all the more heart-wrenching for the home team.
Drama Final Day: Sri Lanka Survives Wobble Despite
Sri Lanka saw out the last 32 overs, closing the door on what appeared to be a Bangladesh win. The hosts, though, did not coast home. They lost four wickets in the last session, including Mathews, before Dhananjaya de Silva and Kamindu Mendis anchored it out to make the match finish as a draw. The duo lasted 53 deliveries in their unbroken partnership as the two teams shook hands with five overs remaining.
Bangladesh’s Late Declaration Raises Questions
One of the greatest talking points after the match was whether Bangladesh declared late. Following a two-and-a-half-hour rain break during the afternoon session, Bangladesh piled up 48 rapid runs in only 11 overs before requesting the time, leaving Sri Lanka a target of 296 off 37 overs.
With the turning Galle surface and the run that bowlers Taijul Islam and Nayeem Hasan had been enjoying, many questions are being raised about whether Bangladesh could have declared sooner and enforced a victory.
Najmul Hossain Shanto’s Twin Centuries Steal the Limelight
Bangladesh’s conservative strategy seemed to put the individual achievements first, most notably Najmul Hossain Shanto, who achieved just the third instance of centuries in both innings of a Test by a Bangladeshi. His fierce onslaught after the rain, including three sixes off the ground, revealed the lost chance of going for the runs early in the day.
Taijul and Nayeem Exploit Galle Turn
With the turn on offer from the moisture trapped underneath the covers, Taijul Islam excelled. He picked up 3 for 23, getting rid of Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, and Lahiru Udara, making use of both inside and outside edges.
Nayeem Hasan also had an important contribution, dismissing Pathum Nissanka and exerting consistent pressure from the opposite end. The spinners would have been well served by even a few more overs if the declaration had been earlier.
Sri Lanka’s Defensive Game Saves the Day
Pursuing an unrealistic target at a rate of more than eight runs an over, Sri Lanka took a solely defensive strategy. While Mathews and Chandimal were dismissed in quick succession, De Silva and Mendis were impregnable, leading Sri Lanka to safety on a fading surface.
Mathews’ Farewell: An Emotional Moment in Galle
While he wasn’t able to sign off with a victory, Angelo Mathews‘ farewell Test will be one for the memories for the passion it was played and the determination of the Sri Lankan team in trying to force a draw. His overall contribution throughout the years has been enormous, and this game was a befitting platform to bid him adieu to the longest version of the game.
Missed Opportunities for Bangladesh
While both teams went home with their share of the booty, post-match discourse will always centre around Bangladesh’s strategic choices. With World Test Championship (WTC) points at stake, a bolder declaration could have tipped the balance in their direction.
But with that hard-won draw in Galle, the SL vs BAN series picks up from here, with everyone playing close attention to the second Test and to who takes away several lessons from the what-ifs of this captivating battle.
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