Bangladesh reached 93 for 3 at lunch on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, after captain Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and opted to bat.
On a surface offering early turn under overcast skies, the visitors lost three key wickets—two to debutant spinner Tharindu Ratnayake—as the hosts maintained tight lines and discipline with the ball.
Anamul Haque Bijoy was the first to depart, edging Asitha Fernando to the keeper for a 10-ball duck.
A cautious stand of 34 runs between Sadman Islam and Mominul Haque offered brief stability before Ratnayake struck in his fourth over, removing Sadman for 14—caught in the slips by Dhananjaya de Silva.
Soon after, Mominul, who had earlier been dropped on 21, fell to the same bowler and fielder for 29 while attempting a cut shot. He struck four boundaries in his 33-ball stay.
Veteran Mushfiqur Rahim, under scrutiny for his form, calmly negotiated Ratnayake’s hat-trick delivery and remained unbeaten at the break alongside skipper Shanto. The pair added an unbroken 45-run stand, with Mushfiqur batting on 20 off 31 balls and Shanto on 25 off 43.
Earlier, Sri Lanka handed Test debuts to top-order batter Lahiru Udara and ambidextrous spinner Tharindu Ratnayake in what is also the farewell Test for veteran Angelo Mathews.
Bd-Pratidin English/ARK
