Sri Lanka secured a 1–0 victory over Bangladesh in their two-Test series, showcasing a blend of dominant batting and incisive bowling. The highlight of the series was the remarkable form of Pathum Nissanka, who amassed 369 runs, and Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, who fought valiantly with 300 runs of his own.
In the opening Test at Galle, Bangladesh held their ground to earn a historic draw thanks to Shanto’s twin centuries. His 148 in the first innings and an unbeaten 125 in the second anchored the visitors against Sri Lanka’s bowlers. Shanto’s resilience underlined his growing stature as a leader and gave Bangladesh hope of their first-ever Test series win on Sri Lankan soil.
However, the second Test in Colombo shifted the balance. Pathum Nissanka rose to the occasion, scoring a commanding 158 to power Sri Lanka to a massive first-innings total. His innings, supported by half-centuries from Dinesh Chandimal and Kusal Mendis, set the platform for a dominant performance. Bangladesh, under pressure, faltered against the spin of Prabath Jayasuriya, collapsing for 133 in the second innings to lose by an innings and 78 runs. The result sealed the series for Sri Lanka and highlighted their continued supremacy at home.
Nissanka’s consistency earned him both Player of the Match and Player of the Series honours. His aggregate of 369 runs, scored at an average well above 100, confirmed his emergence as Sri Lanka’s batting linchpin. His ability to convert starts into big scores and anchor the innings under pressure stood out across the two matches.
For Bangladesh, Shanto’s 300-run tally was a lone bright spot in an otherwise disappointing tour. His back-to-back centuries in Galle were a display of skill and mental strength, especially against Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling attack. While his efforts couldn’t secure a win, they kept Bangladesh competitive and demonstrated the potential of their batting lineup when anchored by a composed leader.
The series also marked the start of the new World Test Championship cycle, giving Sri Lanka crucial early points. Their win was built on a balanced performance: a solid batting core led by Nissanka and a bowling attack spearheaded by Jayasuriya’s spin and Kasun Rajitha’s seam.
Historically, Sri Lanka have dominated this fixture, and the result maintained that pattern. Bangladesh are still searching for their first Test series victory in Sri Lanka, and despite Shanto’s heroics, the gap in experience and depth was evident in the decisive second match.
In the end, the series belonged to Nissanka’s bat and Shanto’s fighting spirit. For Sri Lanka, it was a reaffirmation of their strength at home and the emergence of a dependable top-order presence. For Bangladesh, it was a reminder of the work ahead, even as their captain’s performance offered a silver lining.