Bangladesh plays it safe and settles for draw with Sri Lanka in rain-affected 1st test

GALLE, Sri Lanka (AP) — Bangladesh missed out on a rare victory away from home when its series-opening cricket test against Sri Lanka ended in a draw on the rain-affected final day Saturday.

After a prolonged rain break that saw the morning session curtailed to just 80 minutes, there was a window — 50 overs — still wide enough to force the issue. The visitors led by 251 runs. The stage was set. But they opted for the conservative route.

Najmul Hossain Shanto pressed on to complete his second century of the match — a personal milestone for the captain, but a potentially costly one for the team.

By the time the declaration came at 285-6, Bangladesh had consumed nearly an hour more of precious time — and momentum.

Shanto's feat was historic. Only 14 other men in the long annals of test cricket have scored hundreds in each innings on two separate occasions. Shanto previously achieved the double-ton trick against Afghanistan in 2023.

Bangladesh, chasing only its second test win over Sri Lanka in 27 attempts, may rue this as the one that got away. The hosts had their backs to the wall for just over a session and while they lost wickets and had to negotiate some sharp turn and bounce, they were never truly cornered.

Off-spinner Nayeem Hasan removed first-innings centurion Pathum Nissanka with a peach that dipped and turned. Taijul Islam chimed in with a tidy burst, accounting for Lahiru Udara, Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal.

“We wanted to declare early but rain forced us to rethink,” Shanto said. “Taijul bowled really well and so did Nayeem. He hasn’t had enough chances in the big stage, but he showed what a good bowler he is.”

Bangladesh has won only seven away tests.

“We were low on confidence coming into the series but this was a very good test match,” Shanto said.

The day also marked a poignant farewell. Mathews bowed out of the test arena. He fell for 8, caught off bat-pad, and each Bangladeshi fielder made a beeline to salute a fine career. A man for all seasons, Mathews had captained Sri Lanka to its first series win in England — in 2014 — and he wore the whites 119 times for his country.

“It’s sad to walk away but the love I have received from everyone is truly amazing,” he said.

“The best memory for me is winning the test series in England. Then of course we beat Australia 3-0 in 2016. Not often you whitewash the Aussies in a test series,” Mathews added. “Thankful for everyone who have been with me.”

Captain Dhananjaya de Silva paid tribute to Mathews as “a superb player and a leader.”

“He has won us so many games and those shoes are big shoes to fill,” he said. “We wish him well. He will be missed.”

As Sri Lanka looks ahead to the second test in Colombo, it must now confront two pressing questions. Who fills the Mathews-sized void in the middle order — a space occupied by experience and resilience for over 15 years? And is it time to reconsider Prabath Jayasuriya’s role? The left-arm spinner, once a revelation, has struggled of late, and his solitary wicket in this match did little to silence the murmurs.

“We had our opportunities but failed to make most of them,” De Silva said. “We have a few questions to answer. We will address those issues and come back stronger in the next game. I don’t think our spinners bowled well. I know it was a flat wicket but we failed to create opportunities.”

For Bangladesh, reinforcements arrive in the form of Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who missed the Galle test because of illness. His return adds depth especially on tracks where finger spinners often dictate proceedings.

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

Bangladesh's captain Najmul Hossain Shanto prostrates as he celebrates his century during the fifth day of the first cricket test match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Galle, Sri Lanka, Saturday, June 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Sri Lanka's Angelo Mathews who played his career last test cricket match waves to supporters at the end of the first cricket test match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Galle, Sri Lanka, Saturday, June 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Bangladesh's captain Najmul Hossain Shanto celebrates his century during the fifth day of the first cricket test match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Galle, Sri Lanka, Saturday, June 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Bangladesh's Mushfiqur Rahim plays a shot during the fifth day of the first cricket test match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Galle, Sri Lanka, Saturday, June 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Sri Lanka's team members walk off the field as it rains during the fifth day of the first cricket test match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Galle, Sri Lanka, Saturday, June 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Bangladesh's captain Najmul Hossain Shanto runs towards the pavilion as it rains during the fifth day of the first cricket test match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Galle, Sri Lanka, Saturday, June 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Bangladesh's Mushfiqur Rahim, second left, reacts after being dismissed during the fifth day of the first cricket test match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Galle, Sri Lanka, Saturday, June 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Bangladesh's Mushfiqur Rahim leaves the ground after losing his wicket during the fifth day of the first cricket test match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Galle, Sri Lanka, Saturday, June 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

NEW YORK (AP) — Thousands of nurses in three hospital systems in New York City went on strike Monday after negotiations through the weekend failed to yield breakthroughs in their contract disputes.

The strike was taking place at The Mount Sinai Hospital and two of its satellite campuses, with picket lines forming. The other affected hospitals are NewYork-Presbyterian and Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx.

About 15,000 nurses are involved in the strike, according to New York State Nurses Association.

“After months of bargaining, management refused to make meaningful progress on core issues that nurses have been fighting for: safe staffing for patients, healthcare benefits for nurses, and workplace violence protections,” the union said in a statement issued Monday. “Management at the richest hospitals in New York City are threatening to discontinue or radically cut nurses’ health benefits.”

The strike, which comes during a severe flu season, could potentially force the hospitals to transfer patients, cancel procedures or divert ambulances. It could also put a strain on city hospitals not involved in the contract dispute, as patients avoid the medical centers hit by the strike.

The hospitals involved have been hiring temporary nurses to try and fill the labor gap during the walkout, and said in a statement during negotiations that they would “do whatever is necessary to minimize disruptions.” Montefiore posted a message assuring patients that appointments would be kept.

“NYSNA’s leaders continue to double down on their $3.6 billion in reckless demands, including nearly 40% wage increases, and their troubling proposals like demanding that a nurse not be terminated if found to be compromised by drugs or alcohol while on the job," Montefiore spokesperson Joe Solmonese said Monday after the strike had started. "We remain resolute in our commitment to providing safe and seamless care, regardless of how long the strike may last.”

New York-Presbyterian accused the union of staging a strike to “create disruption,” but said in a statement that it has taken steps to ensure patients receive the care they need.

"We’re ready to keep negotiating a fair and reasonable contract that reflects our respect for our nurses and the critical role they play, and also recognizes the challenging realities of today’s healthcare environment,” the statement said.

The work stoppage is occurring at multiple hospitals simultaneously, but each medical center is negotiating with the union independently. Several other hospitals across the city and in its suburbs reached deals in recent days to avert a possible strike.

The nurses’ demands vary by hospital, but the major issues include staffing levels and workplace safety. The union says hospitals have given nurses unmanageable workloads.

Nurses also want better security measures in the workplace, citing incidents like a an incident last week, when a man with a sharp object barricaded himself in a Brooklyn hospital room and was then killed by police.

The union also wants limitations on hospitals’ use of artificial intelligence.

The nonprofit hospitals involved in the negotiations say they’ve been working to improve staffing levels, but say the union’s demands overall are too costly.

Nurses voted to authorize the strike last month.

Both New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani had expressed concern about the possibility of the strike. As the strike deadline neared, Mamdani urged both sides to keep negotiating and reach a deal that “both honors our nurses and keeps our hospitals open.”

“Our nurses kept this city alive through its hardest moments. Their value is not negotiable,” Mamdani said.

State Attorney General Letitia James voiced similar support, saying "nurses put their lives on the line every day to keep New Yorkers healthy. They should never be forced to choose between their own safety, their patients’ well-being, and a fair contract.”

The last major nursing strike in the city was only three years ago, in 2023. That work stoppage, at Mount Sinai and Montefiore, was short, lasting three days. It resulted in a deal raising pay 19% over three years at those hospitals.

It also led to promised staffing improvements, though the union and hospitals now disagree about how much progress has been made, or whether the hospitals are retreating from staffing guarantees.

Nurses strike outside New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Nurses strike outside New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Nurses strike outside New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Nurses strike outside New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Nurses strike outside New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Nurses strike outside Mount Sinai West Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Nurses strike outside Mount Sinai West Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Nurses strike outside Mount Sinai West Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Nurses strike outside Mount Sinai West Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

FILE - A medical worker transports a patient at Mount Sinai Hospital, April 1, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)