1st Test: Ashraful, Rahim break records for Bangladesh

Pair remains unbeaten with impressive centuries against Sri Lanka.

GALLE: Mohammad Ashraful and Mushfiqur Rahim smashed impressive centuries in a record stand as Bangladesh dominated the third day of the opening Test against Sri Lanka in Galle yesterday.

Ashraful hit an unbeaten 189 not out, the highest by a Bangladesh cricketer in Tests, on his comeback and Rahim made a career-best 152 not out as the tourists posted 438 for four in their first-innings at stumps in reply to Sri Lanka’s 570 for four declared.

Their 261-run unbroken stand between the duo was Bangladesh’s highest for any wicket in Tests, the previous best being 200 runs for the second wicket between Tamim Iqbal and Junaid Siddique against India in Dhaka in 2010. Bangladesh also surpassed their previous highest total of 413 against Sri Lanka in Tests.

The tourists now trail by 132 runs with six wickets in hand.

The 28-year-old Ashraful hit one six and 20 fours in his sixth Test hundred, and the fifth against Sri Lanka, while Rahim, 24, smashed one six and 18 fours in his second Test century.

“We needed a partnership and I had one with Mushfiq,” said Ashraful. “The wicket was very nice and I believed if I don’t make any mistake I won’t be out.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 11^th, 2013.