Shanto and Mushfiqur Record 264-Run Stand as Bangladesh Stuns Sri Lanka in Galle
On the first day of the first Test at Galle International Stadium on June 17, 2025, Nazmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim didn’t just bat — they rewrote history. Trailing at 45/3, Bangladesh’s cricket team was on the brink of collapse. Then came the partnership — calm, clinical, and utterly dominant. Shanto, 28, and Mushfiqur, 38, added 264 runs for the fourth wicket, the highest ever by a visiting pair in Galle, eclipsing Australia’s Alex Carey and Steve Smith’s 259-run stand from earlier this year. By stumps, Bangladesh had posted 293/3, and the cricket world was left stunned.
A Partnership for the Ages
It wasn’t just the numbers — it was the context. Bangladesh had lost three wickets for 45 runs. The spinners of Sri Lanka, led by the unplayable Tharindu Rathnayake and Prabath Jayasuriya, had the home crowd roaring. But Shanto, calm as a monk, and Mushfiqur, the veteran with 99 Tests behind him, refused to blink. Their 264-run stand wasn’t just about runs; it was about resilience. Shanto, playing his 18th Test, smashed his maiden Test century — the first in the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle. Mushfiqur? He didn’t just reach a century. He reached a milestone few ever do.
100 Tests, One Century
Mushfiqur Rahim became the first Bangladeshi cricketer to play 100 Test matches. That’s 100 grueling days under the sun, 100 chances to fail, 100 times the world questioned whether he still belonged. And on this day, he answered with a 105 not out — his 13th Test century. He reached it with a single off Jordan Neil’s bowling, and the roar from the stands wasn’t just for the runs — it was for the legacy. Former Bangladesh Cricket Board chairman Habibul Bashar presented him with a special commemorative cap, and Shanto handed him the match-signed jersey. The moment felt sacred. Only 10 players in history had ever scored a century in their 100th Test. Mushfiqur became the 11th. Sachin Tendulkar? Virat Kohli? They never did. He did.
History in the Making
This wasn’t Mushfiqur’s first big stand in Galle. Back in 2013, he and Mohammad Ashraful put on 267 against Sri Lanka here. In 2022, he and Liton Das added 272 in Mirpur. But this one? It was different. It was the first time a visiting pair broke the 250-run barrier in Galle. The previous record? Australia’s Carey and Smith, 259, earlier in 2025. Now, it’s Bangladesh’s Shanto and Mushfiqur — 264. And it wasn’t just about breaking a record. It was about proving that Bangladesh, long seen as the underdogs, can dominate even the most hostile conditions.
Who Was There?
The playing XI was a mix of youth and wisdom: Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Shanto (captain), Mushfiqur, Liton Das (wicketkeeper), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Ibadat Hussain (replacing Nahid Rana), Hasan Murad, and Khalid Ahmed. Ibadat’s inclusion was a tactical call — and it paid off. The bowlers didn’t need to bowl long spells. The batsmen did the heavy lifting. Sri Lanka’s Milinda Rathnayake was the only bright spot, finishing with 3/19 in 12 overs — a masterclass in economy. But even he couldn’t break the spell.
What Comes Next?
The second day, June 18, 2025, saw Bangladesh extend their lead, eventually declaring at 418/6. Sri Lanka began their innings under a fading sun, but the damage was done. The pitch, already worn from the first day’s onslaught, was turning into a minefield. The message was clear: Bangladesh had taken control. The second Test begins on June 21, but this match already felt decided. The series is two Tests long. This one? It’s already legendary.
Why This Matters
Bangladesh cricket has spent decades chasing respect. This partnership didn’t just win a day’s play — it shifted perceptions. For years, critics said Bangladesh lacked the temperament to build big innings overseas. Here, in the belly of the beast — Galle, where spinners thrive and tourists crumble — two men from a nation that once lost by an innings in this very stadium stood tall. Shanto, the new captain, proved he can lead. Mushfiqur, the elder statesman, proved he still belongs. And together, they made the world sit up and take notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How significant is Mushfiqur Rahim’s 100th Test century?
Only 11 players in cricket history have scored a century in their 100th Test match. Mushfiqur Rahim became the 11th, joining legends like Jacques Kallis and Ricky Ponting. Notably, even Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli never achieved this. His 105* in Galle wasn’t just a personal milestone — it was a historic rarity that cements his place among cricket’s all-time greats.
What makes the 264-run stand in Galle so special?
Galle International Stadium is one of the most spin-friendly venues in the world, where visiting teams often collapse. No overseas pair had ever put on more than 259 runs for the fourth wicket here — until Shanto and Mushfiqur. Their 264-run partnership is now the highest by any visiting pair in Test history at Galle, surpassing even Australia’s 2025 record. It’s a feat that highlights Bangladesh’s growing mental toughness abroad.
Who else was in Bangladesh’s playing XI, and why was Ibadat Hussain selected?
The lineup included Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Liton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Hasan Murad, and Khalid Ahmed. Ibadat Hussain replaced Nahid Rana as the all-rounder, offering balance with his left-arm spin and lower-order hitting. His selection paid off — he bowled 8 overs, conceded just 29 runs, and provided crucial control when Sri Lanka’s spinners were threatening to take over.
What record did Nazmul Hossain Shanto break?
Shanto scored the first century of the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle, a symbolic moment for a captain stepping into leadership. At 28, he became the youngest Bangladeshi captain to score a Test century overseas since Mashrafe Mortaza in 2007. His 136 not out was a masterclass in patience and power, blending textbook technique with aggressive strokeplay under pressure.
How does this performance compare to Bangladesh’s past results in Sri Lanka?
Before this match, Bangladesh had won just one Test in Sri Lanka — in 2017 in Pallekele. Their previous best in Galle was a 140-run partnership between Mushfiqur and Ashraful in 2013. This 264-run stand dwarfs all prior efforts, turning a once-forgotten ground into a place of triumph. It signals a new era: Bangladesh isn’t just competing anymore — they’re dominating.
What’s next for Bangladesh and Mushfiqur Rahim?
The second Test begins on June 21, with Bangladesh aiming for a series win — their first in Sri Lanka since 2017. For Mushfiqur, this may be his final overseas Test series. But his legacy is already secure: 100 Tests, 13 centuries, and a partnership that will be replayed for decades. Whether he retires after this series or not, his impact on Bangladesh cricket is irreversible.