Fans and players at the Galle International Stadium witnessed a sight rarely, if ever, seen during a cricket match. On the final day of the first Test between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, amidst the intense on-field action, a television cameraman zoomed in on a unique spectator — a snake charmer enjoying the game with two cobras and a monkey by his side, all seemingly engrossed in the cricketing drama.
Sri Lanka and Bangladesh share a quirky cricketing rivalry often dubbed the ‘Naagin (Cobra) Derby’, but few could have imagined the nickname manifesting so literally at the ground.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The first Test of the 2025–27 World Test Championship cycle between the two sides ultimately ended in a tense draw, punctuated by a dramatic final session. Set a target of 296 in 37 overs, Sri Lanka opted for survival over pursuit and closed at 72/4, fending off a fierce spin burst from Taijul Islam, who finished with 3/23. His wickets included veterans Angelo Mathews—playing his final Test—and Dinesh Chandimal.
Despite the draw, the contest was filled with drama and bold decisions. After a two-and-a-half-hour rain delay post-lunch, Bangladesh surprised many by choosing to continue batting rather than declare immediately. Their captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, sitting on 96, went on to complete his second century of the match, scoring 109* and propelling Bangladesh to 285/6 declared. However, this delayed declaration cost them valuable overs — they had just 37 to bowl at Sri Lanka instead of nearly 50.
In the first innings, Bangladesh had piled up 495 runs, thanks to a mammoth 247-run partnership between Shanto (148) and Mushfiqur Rahim (163). Sri Lanka responded valiantly with 485, led by a career-best 187 from Pathum Nissanka, while Nayeem Hasan starred for Bangladesh with a five-wicket haul.
The result may say "draw", but the match had no shortage of theatre — both on and off the field.
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