SL vs BAN

That’s all from us here at the Galle International Stadium! We now shift focus to the second and final Test in Colombo, starting June 25. Until then, this is Pradeep, signing off on behalf of the entire Sportskeeda crew.

Thank you for tuning into Sportskeeda — stay safe, take care!

So, that brings us to the end of this 1st Test Match. It had everything, but if not for that rain stoppages, we surely would've had a result in this test match. Angelo Mathews walks off the field for the final time in Test whites — a true servant of Sri Lankan cricket, a leader, and a legend!

Dhananjaya de Silva [Sri Lanka captain]: "I always talk about the first innings, bat or ball. The grip went from our hand, the way we bowled in the first innings, it was a flat wicket, but it was just too many runs. These are the areas to cover in the next test match. Bowlers did their best, Shanto and Mushi batted really well, we got early breakthroughs, but they didn't give us chance to come into the game. Not at all, the bowlers had their plans, that's the beauty of test cricket, giving pressure back to the opposition. When I came to the scene under Angelo's captaincy, now he's retiring under my captaincy, something to remember but a sad day for me. Legend like him leaving the dressing room is tough to swallow, but we have the backup."

Najmul Hossain Shanto is the Player of the Match! Here's what he has to say: "I didn't know that, feels very good to contribute. Great come back if you look at, we lost three quick wickets and Mushi bhai played well with me. Before this series, we had great preparation, we showed a lot of character in this match. We were, the rain suddenly came in and spoiled. But, we can't control those things. Taijul and Nayeem made things interesting. This condition, Nayeem bowled well in the first innings, he didn't much to play with the team combination."

Angelo Mathews: "Since I announced my retirement, I can't believe the response, I am overwhelmed with the love that I received, I'm grateful for everyone. It was not an easy journey, lots of ups and downs, but happy to have received the response. I'm retiring from the best format, the format that I loved. We have the young talent to take it through in the future. Congratulations to Bangladesh for making our life tougher, brilliant innings from Shanto and Mushfiqur. The win against England in England, then whitewashing Australians in Sri Lanka is the highlight of my career, has been achieved by the entire time. Thankful to all the supporters, players and thankful to all the fans, the love that I received!"

Match ends in a draw!

Sri Lanka 72/4 after 32 overs in the 2nd Innings and 485 all out in 1st innings!

Bangladesh 495 all out in 1st innings and 285/6d in 2nd innings!

1st Innings | Najmul Hossain Shanto 148 | Mushfiqur Rahim 163 | Asitha Fernando 29.4-5-86-4 | Milan Ratnayake 23.4-6-39-3

Pathum Nissanka 187(256) | Kamindu Mendis 87(148) | Nayeem Hasan 43.2-4-121-5 | Hasan Mahmud 21-4-74-3

2nd Innings | Najmul Hossain Shanto 125(199) | Shadman Islam 76(126) | Tharindu Ratnayake 29-1-102-3 | Milan Ratnayake 12-4-26-1

Pathum Nissanka 24(25) | Kamindu Mendis 12(35) | Taijul Islam 16-6-23-3 | Nayeem Hasan 13-4-29-1

A Test Match That Had It All — Except Time!

What a gripping finale in Galle! This Test had all the ingredients of a classic — runs, drama, momentum swings — but what it didn’t have was time. Bangladesh threw everything at Sri Lanka in that final session, but in the end, the clock proved to be their biggest enemy. A delayed declaration, coupled with those crucial overs lost to rain earlier in the day, came back to haunt the visitors.

It was Bangladesh who stamped their authority at the start of the test match, piling on a massive 495 in the first innings. Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto led from the front with a century masterclass, ably supported by the ever-reliable Mushfiqur Rahim, and a crucial cameo from Litton Das. They looked set to control the narrative of this Test.

Sri Lanka, though, weren’t going down without a fight. Pathum Nissanka’s brilliant 187 was the bedrock of their response, supported by Kamindu Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal. Yet, from a position of strength, Sri Lanka collapsed late on Day 3, missing the chance to gain a vital first-innings lead — eventually falling short by just 10 runs.

With a slender lead, Bangladesh had one eye on the win. Shanto, once again, delivered with the bat, notching up another century, his second of the match — a monumental performance under pressure. The declaration came, and Sri Lanka were handed a tricky chase of 296 in the final innings.

The hosts began with positive intent, but two quick wickets just before tea snuffed out hopes of a thrilling chase. When play resumed, it was all about survival. Bangladesh kept chipping away, picking up a few wickets, but the overs ran out and the finish line remained untouched.

In the end, a hard-fought draw — one that will leave Bangladesh thinking what if and Sri Lanka relieved they weren’t staring at a defeat. Test cricket at its finest — tense, tactical, and totally absorbing!

Alright. Shanto signals to the umpire, they've had enough and the players shake hands. The 1st Test ends up in a draw!

All the players walk up to Mathews and there are plenty of hugs out there. What a career that has come to an end and a result here would've made it more sweeter for him.

31.6 Taijul Islam to Dhananjaya de Silva, MASSIVE SHOUTS FOR CAUGHT BEHIND, NOT GIVEN! Shanto having a chat with his players, takes the review. Tossed up on fourth stump, draws DDS forward to defend, but that turned away sharply and might've beaten the outside edge to the keeper.

Here's the UltraEdge, shows no spike as the ball passes the outside edge of the bat. DDS survives!

31.4 Taijul Islam to Dhananjaya de Silva, spears the length delivery, slanting into the stumps. DDS goes back inside the crease and keeps it out.

30.6 Nayeem Hasan to Kamindu Mendis, FOUR! Uses his feet for the length delivery, Mendis caresses it all along the ground, through extra-cover and races away to the ropes.