Bangladesh’s 100th Test at the P Sara Oval in Colombo this morning, started on a special note before a pre-match ceremony to mark the auspicious occasion.

After the toss, the Bangladesh squad for the historic Test walked through a guard of honour formed by schoolchildren holding aloft miniature Bangladesh flags. The players, walking on a navy blue carpet rolled out for the occasion, were attired in commemorative blue jackets that were delivered to them yesterday evening.

They were then each presented with medals by Sri Lanka Cricket president Thilanga Sumathipala. Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hassan Papon accompanied his SLC counterpart and shook hands with the Bangladesh players.

Papon was presented with a commemorative crest with the words ‘Congratulations Bangladesh on your Century Milestone in Tests’ engraved on it. Then, with all the players and the BCB high-ups present, the Bangladesh and Sri Lanka flags were hoisted up and the national anthems sung to mark the beginning of a special event in Bangladeshi sport.

The special arrangements touched the press box too, with Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan media personnel being presented with a commemorative keyring with a stump and two cricket balls signifying the 100th Test landmark.