Najmul Shanto's twin tons go in vain as Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh 1st Test ends in a draw, this is how WTC 2025-2027 points table shapes up

The first Test of the two-match series between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at Galle ended in a draw after the visitors failed to bowl out the hosts, who were chasing the target of 296 on the fifth and final day. Notably, this was also veteran Sri Lanka all-rounder Angelo Mathews' farewell Test, who retired from the format after featuring in a total of 119 matches in red-ball cricket.

Coming to the match, the fifth day saw Bangladesh declare on 285/6 with skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto unbeaten on 125 and Nayeem Hasan on 7 as the Lankan Lions were set a target of 296 to achieve. The visitors had to bundle out the hosts in 37 overs in order to emerge victorious. 

Sri Lanka made a good start with openers Pathum Nissanka and Lahiru Udara and piled up 32 runs within the first five overs of their second innings. However, soon after, the latter would end up giving away his wicket to Taijul Islam for nine runs. Nissanka also was sent back to the dugout two deliveries later by Nayeem as suddenly Sri Lanka looked in trouble at 34/2.

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Though they also went on to lose both Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal, the duo of Kamindu Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva ended up surviving till the end as the final day drew to a close with Sri Lanka at 72/4. The encounter ended up as a draw and both the sides began the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle on a not-so positive note.

Shanto and Rahim formed an enormous partnership

Coming to the match, Bangladesh had won the toss and elected to bat on the first day. The decision proved to be a successful one as after losing three early wickets and getting restricted to 45/3 at one stage, the duo of Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim formed an incredible stand of 264 to power the visitors over the 300-run mark. In the process, both the batters would go on to score centuries and Shanto was the one to get dismissed first on 148 runs.

However, Sri Lanka's misery didn't end there as next batter, Litton Das formed another big stand with Rahim to take the side's total over the 450-run mark. The latter would get dismissed after playing a sensational knock of 163 and Das would follow him to the pavilion after his inning of 90 came to an end just eight deliveries later. Bangladesh would eventually be bundled out for 495 in their first innings. Asitha Fernando was the pick of the bowlers, recording figures of 4/86.

In reply, Sri Lanka also made a strong start with Nissanka forming a brilliant partnerhip of 157 runs alongside Chandimal, who got dismissed for 54. Mathews also played a cameo of 39, but it was Nissanka who terrorized the Bangladesh bowling attack with his superb batting and went on to score a fabulous ton. The batter's inning would finally be brought to an end on 187 by Hasan Mahmud.

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Further on, Mendis played a gritty knock of 87 as Sri Lanka also went past the 450-run mark. Bangladesh would manage to take a slender 10-run lead as Nayeem's five-wicket haul massively helped the visitors in bowling out the hosts for 485 runs. The visitors would return strong in their second innings as opener Shadman Islam provided a good start to the side with his inning of 76, but it was Shanto who stole the show once again and went on to score his second ton of the match.

Though his effforts eventually ended up going in vain as Sri Lanka pulled off a draw, the Bangladesh skipper was adjudged as the Player of the Match for his twin tons which helped his side in not only posting big totals, but also in almost pulling off a famous victory.

Heree is what the WTC points table looks like -