Najmul Hossain Shanto’s century during the first Test between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium took an unexpectedly hilarious twist. Just as Shanto raised his bat to acknowledge the crowd after a hard-earned hundred, a fielder’s throw from the deep caught everyone off guard.
The ball flew straight toward Shanto, forcing him to awkwardly leap out of its path mid-celebration. The comic timing of the moment sparked laughter among commentators and quickly made its rounds on social media, turning a proud cricketing moment into a light-hearted memory.
Despite this comical interruption, Bangladesh ended Day 1 in a commanding position. After opting to bat first upon winning the toss, their start was anything but ideal. The top order struggled early, and Bangladesh found themselves in a spot of bother within the opening session. However, the middle order rose to the occasion, ensuring the day ended in their favor.
Bangladesh’s batting woes began early with Anamul Haque falling for a duck to Asitha Fernando. Debutant Tharindu Ratnayake made an impressive entry, dismissing both Shadman Islam and Mominul Haque cheaply. His off-break deliveries proved tricky, with both wickets falling to sharp catches in the slip region. By the end of the first session, Bangladesh were precariously placed at 90/3 after 28 overs.
Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim then combined forces to steady the ship. Their partnership was not only resilient but also aggressive, as they added 92 runs in the second session without losing a wicket. In the final session, they continued their dominance by scoring another 110 runs, bringing up a commanding double-century stand. Their control over both pace and spin ensured Sri Lanka never got a chance to apply pressure again.
Next level celebration 🔥🔥🤣
— Shah Jahan 56 (@ShahJahanba56) June 17, 2025
Celebration Warh jane lage thi🤣#SLvBAN pic.twitter.com/IQ1OY8a1lf
Even the second new ball brought no relief for the Sri Lankans. With the pitch offering minimal support to bowlers, the home side resorted to defensive tactics but failed to break the rhythm of the set batters. Heading into Day 2 with momentum firmly on their side and favorable batting conditions ahead, Bangladesh looked well set to post a massive first-innings total, led by Shanto’s impactful—and unexpectedly entertaining—century.