The first match of the 2025-27 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle at Galle ended in a draw. Here’s how the result has affected the WTC points table.
After batting first, Bangladesh put 495 on the board as captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (148) and Mushfiqur Rahim (163) led Bangladesh’s charge with a 264-run stand. Sri Lanka put an equally potent response, riding on a ton a 256-ball 187 from Pathum Nissanka, who features in the top five among active batters with the highest first-class averages. The hosts ended up conceding a 10-run first innings lead despite a brilliant century from Pathum Nissanka (187).
The match unfolded as a slow burner, with Bangladesh consuming 87 overs in their second innings – eating up most of the final day. Shanto struck an unbeaten 125, becoming only the 18th Test captain to score centuries in both innings and the first Bangladeshi to achieve the feat.
With 39 overs to go, Bangladesh set Sri Lanka a target of 296. The hosts were reduced to 48-4 in the 24th over at one stage, but Kamindu Mendis and skipper Dhananjaya de Silva ensured that they secured the draw with relative ease.
1st Test, Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh
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Updated World Test Championship standings after Sri Lanka's draw against Bangladesh
Both sides opened their accounts as a result of the draw, gaining four points each. They currently have a points percentage of 33.33 each. Sri Lanka, last time around, were in contention to make the final. However, series defeats against South Africa and Australia derailed their cause, as they finished sixth with a PCT of 38.46, just ahead of Bangladesh, who had 31.25.
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