Nazmul Hossain Shanto’s dismissal brought an end to what could have been a record-breaking partnership—just 2 runs shy of making history.
Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim had already brought Bangladesh close to the record for the highest fourth-wicket partnership on Day 1. But they couldn’t complete the final stretch on the following morning. The pair was halted at 264 runs—just 2 short of the national record.
The record for Bangladesh’s highest fourth-wicket stand is 266 runs. That too involved Mushfiqur, alongside Mominul Haque, against Zimbabwe in Mirpur back in 2018.
In the second day’s morning session of the Galle Test against Sri Lanka, the stand was finally broken when Shanto was dismissed for 148.
Coming together at a precarious 45 for 3 on Day 1, Shanto and Mushfiq rebuilt with remarkable patience and control, remaining unbeaten with a 247-run stand by stumps.
On Wednesday morning, with the partnership at 258, Asitha Fernando appealed for an LBW against Shanto. The umpire gave it out, but a review showed the ball had brushed Shanto’s bat before hitting the pad. He survived—briefly.
In Asitha’s very next over, Shanto mistimed a shot and was caught by Angelo Mathews at mid-off. The partnership ended at 264, keeping the existing record intact.
That 266-run record stand, built by Mushfiqur and Mominul, remains unmatched. In that 2018 innings, Mushfiq remained unbeaten on a record 219, while Mominul scored 161.
Bangladesh has only one other 200+ stand for the fourth wicket—and that too was by the same pair. Against Zimbabwe again, in 2020, Mushfiqur (203*) and Mominul (132) added 222 runs in Mirpur.
However, the world record for the fourth-wicket partnership is far higher. In October 2022, England’s Joe Root and Harry Brook put up a monumental 454-run stand against Pakistan in Multan.
