Rain ended a strong day for Bangladesh. Mushfiqur and Liton added 111 runs in the morning season. Mushfiqur reached 159, Liton his 18th fifty, and Bangladesh crossed 400.
The momentum was in their hands. But the rain changed everything.
Shanto Falls After Bright Start
The day began with captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim at the crease. Shanto resumed on 136 and looked steady.
He survived an early lbw scare in the 95th over, with the review showing the ball had touched the bat. It was a close call, and one that frustrated the Sri Lankans.
But just an over later, Shanto lost focus. He tried to play a shot off Angelo Mathews and ended up caught. He got out on 148, just two short of a potential career-defining century.
He hit 15 fours and one six in 279-ball innings.
Liton and Mushfiqur Take Charge
After Shanto’s dismissal, Liton joined Mushfiqur. Together, they brought calm to the innings. They didn’t rush. They waited for loose deliveries and rotated the strike.
In the 120th over, Mushfiqur brought up his 150 with a boundary. In the same over, Liton followed up with a four of his own that took Bangladesh past 400.
Two overs later, Liton reached his own milestone. His 18th half-century came with little fuss.
The pair looked settled and confident. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, looked short on ideas.
Missed Chances Add to Sri Lanka’s Frustration
The hosts had their chances. But they could not grab them.
Liton nearly got run out in the 103rd over after a mix-up. He survived. In the 109th over, Pathum Nissanka dropped him at midwicket.
He punished the fielders right away. In the next over, Liton hit three boundaries in a row. The ball flew to all corners, and Sri Lanka’s bowlers had no answers.
Even head coach Sanath Jayasuriya looked visibly upset as the team let chance after chance slip away.
Mushfiqur Survives a Close Review Before Rain Falls
In the 131st over, Mushfiqur had a lucky break. A strong lbw shout came against him. The umpire gave it not out, and Sri Lanka reviewed.
The ball had struck his pad, but it was umpire’s call. The decision stayed, and Mushfiqur remained on 159.
Minutes later, the rain began. Players walked off. The umpires waited, but the sky never cleared.
Bangladesh in Control as Galle Test Pauses
Before the rain, Bangladesh had added 91 runs for the loss of just one wicket in the day’s first session.
They began at 292 for three. Shanto left early, but Mushfiqur and Liton steadied the ship. The team reached 404 for four when the skies opened.
If the weather holds, Mushfiqur could aim for a double hundred. Liton looks set for a big score as well.
For Sri Lanka, time is now a concern. Their fielding faltered, and their bowlers struggled to break through. If play resumes on day three, they will need quick wickets to claw back into the match.
The match is evenly poised, but only if the rain lets it continue.
