Bangladesh ended the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka on a strong note, reaching 292 for 3 at stumps, thanks to unbeaten centuries from Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim in Kandy on Tuesday.

After being sent in to bat, Bangladesh had a shaky start, losing opener Anamul Haque Bijoy early in the fifth over for a duck. He was caught behind off Asitha Fernando after misjudging a fuller delivery that swung slightly away.

Things got worse when Shadman Islam (14) and Mominul Haque (29) were dismissed off consecutive balls by Sri Lankan spinner Tharindu Ratnayake in the 15th over. Both were caught at first slip by Dhananjaya de Silva.

Bangladesh were reduced to 90 for 3 in the first session, but the tide turned as Shanto and Mushfiqur built a brilliant fourth-wicket partnership. The pair played with great composure and brought up their fifties in the same over off Prabath Jayasuriya.

The partnership grew stronger in the third session, eventually crossing the 150-run mark. Najmul Hossain Shanto reached his sixth Test century in 202 balls, hitting 11 fours and one six. It was his first Test hundred since November 2023 against New Zealand, and interestingly, his last international century came against the same opponent, Sri Lanka, though in an ODI last year.

Veteran Mushfiqur Rahim also followed with his own century, scoring an unbeaten 136 off 176 balls with five boundaries. It was his first hundred in almost 10 months, the previous one coming against Pakistan in Rawalpindi in August 2024.

The pair will resume batting on the second day, aiming to take Bangladesh to a commanding position in the match.

MSK/