DHAKA, June 28, 2025 (BSS)-Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto clarified 
that the dismal batting show in the first innings led to his side's massive 
downfall in the second and final cricket Test against Sri Lanka, which they 
eventually lost by an innings and 78 runs margin Colombo.

Sri Lanka wrapped up the two-match series 1-0 by virtue of the victory that 
came in less than four days. Bangladesh survived just 34 balls on Day 4 
before being all out for 133 in their second innings.

The first Test was drawn after Bangladesh dominated a large portion of the 
game but the same vigor was absent in their body language and in batting in 
the deciding match. 

"The way we batted in the first innings, that wasn't up to the mark and it 
cost us the game," Shanto lamented during the post match conference in 
Colombo.

"I still feel we should have batted first. The way we got out wasn't good 
enough. We made a lot of mistakes with our batting in the first innings."

Bangladesh chose to bat first in an otherwise pretty flat deck but were 
bowled out for just 247 with no batters even could hit a half-century. The 
highest 46 came from the willow of opener Shadman Islam.

Sri Lanka replied with 458 all out, taking a handsome 211-run lead, thanks to 
a monumental 158 from opener Pathum Nissanka and a rapid 93 and 84 from 
Dinesh Chandimal and Kusal Mendis respectively.

Taijul Islam claimed five wickets and Nayeem Hasam took three and denied Sri 
Lanka a 500 plus total that looked on the cards. However as Bangladesh were 
bowled out cheaply in the first innings, Sri Lanka's lead grew massive.

Shanto praised his bowlers' effort, saying that the batters let them down.

"The way we bowled on day 3, was nice to see in such conditions. I hope those 
guys do well going forward," Shanto said.

"The way that we finished was very disappointing. We didn't play well in this 
Test, so we were disappointed with that."