Shanto hits another century, Bangladesh declare on 285 as draw looms

Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto has become the first Bangladeshi batsman to score centuries in both innings of a Test match as Tigers declared on 285 for 6 against Sri Lanka on the final day of the Galle Test.

With only a session to go in the Test on Saturday, Bangladesh posted a target of 296 with Shanto unbeaten on 125 in the Galle International Cricket Stadium, bdnews24.com reports. 

Earlier, Bangladesh’s hopes of forcing a result were hampered by rain and a cautious approach with the bat, as the match drifted toward an inevitable draw.

Resuming on an overnight lead of 247, Bangladesh appeared in no rush to accelerate the scoring, despite pre-match talk from both camps about pushing for a result.

Najmul Hossain added 109 for the fourth wicket with Mushfiqur Rahim (49) before the latter was run out on 48 attempting a risky single just as rain interrupted play.

Rain halted proceedings slightly over an hour into the morning session, prompting an early lunch. Although no overs were lost, and a full quota of 94 overs remained theoretically available, the lack of urgency from Bangladesh suggested little appetite to gamble for a win.

The batters scored at a pedestrian 3.15 runs per over in the morning, showing little intent despite favourable batting conditions.

There were fleeting signs of aggression early in the day -- Mushfiqur and Shanto each struck straight boundaries -- but the pair soon settled into a defensive rhythm.

With Sri Lanka setting deep, defensive fields and the pitch offering limited assistance to their spinners, Bangladesh seemed content to play safe.

Sri Lanka’s spinners struggled to extract the same turn that Bangladesh’s Nayeem Hasan had found on day four, with the surface offering minimal support.

With Bangladesh’s recent Test form underwhelming and World Test Championship points on the line, their reluctance to take risks appeared calculated. But the strategy, coupled with the rain interruption, all but extinguished any remaining hope of a result.