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DHAKA, June 20, 2025 (BSS)-Opener Shadman Islam led the charge as Bangladesh extended its lead to 75 after reaching 65-2 at Tea on Day of the first cricket Test against Sri Lanka at Galle International Cricket Stadium today.
Shadman showed the composure needed to weather a Sri Lankan spin attack as the pitch finally started deteriorating to make batting tougher.
At the second interval of the day, Shadman was batting on 44 with skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto on 2.
Sri Lanka were bowled out for 485 in its first innings, conceding a 10-run lead.
Left-arm Prabath Jayasuriya made the breakthrough by extending the agony of opener Anamul Haque Bijoy who was dismissed 4 following a duck in the first innings.
Tharindu Rathnayake then got the better of Mominul Haque for 14 before Shadman and Shanto saw off the session.
Offspinner Nayeem Hasan claimed 5-121 to help Bangladesh earn a slim lead, which even could be decisive in determining the result as the cracks were visible in the pitch finally.
His fourth Test five-wicket haul included the key wicket of Kamindu Mendis who looked set to earn Sri Lanka a lead.
He produced a beauty to remove Mendis for 87 after which Sri Lanka were able to survive just four overs before conceding the lead.
Beforehand, Hasan Mahmud got rid of Milan Rathnayake for 39 to end the 84-run partnership between him and Mendis.
Mahmud ended with 3-74 while Taijul Islam and Mominul Haque took one wicket apiece.
Earlier in the day, opener Pathum Nissanka gave Sri Lanka a solid foundation with a superb 187, while Dinesh Chandimal chipped in with 54.
Bangladesh were bundled out for 495 in its first innings, thanks to veteran Mushfiqur Rahim's 163 and skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto's 148. Liton Das added 90.