Sri Lanka’s opening batter, Pathum Nissanka, led a determined fightback on Day 3 of the first Test against Bangladesh in Galle, as the hosts reached 368/4 by stumps. Nissanka’s magnificent 187, his first Test century at home and third overall, was the cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s strong reply. Dinesh Chandimal (54) provided solid support, adding 157 runs for the second wicket. However, Sri Lanka still trails Bangladesh by 127 runs after the first innings.
Bangladesh’s First Innings Ends on 495
Bangladesh started Day 3 with Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana at the crease, but they could only add five runs to their overnight total of 490/9 before Asitha Fernando dismissed Rana for a leg-side strangle. Bangladesh’s first innings concluded at 495, just five runs shy of 500, with Mominul Haque and Prabath Jayasuriya unable to make an impact, leaving Fernando to finish with figures of 4/86.
Nissanka and Udara Start Strong
Sri Lanka began their innings with Pathum Nissanka and debutant Lahiru Udara—the first right-handed opening pair for Sri Lanka in 30 years. Udara started aggressively, playing some elegant shots, scoring 29 runs off 34 balls before falling to a return catch from Taijul Islam.
Despite the early loss, Nissanka remained steady. He played a watchful yet controlled innings, with the occasional flourish, including two fours off Taijul. As Bangladesh introduced Nayeem Hasan’s off-spin, Sri Lanka capitalized on some loose deliveries to gather boundaries before the Lunch break.
Nissanka and Chandimal Dominate After Lunch
In the second session, Nissanka brought up his 50 while Chandimal looked in superb touch, scoring runs with cuts and sweeps. The two batters put on a 157-run partnership for the second wicket. The highlight came when Nissanka, on 94, smashed Rana for two boundaries in an over, then reached his 100 with a single to mid-on. Even after reaching the landmark, Nissanka continued to dominate, with two more boundaries off Rana.
Chandimal followed suit by reaching his 50, but he fell shortly after, caught at leg-slip off Mominul Haque. This brought Angelo Matthews to the crease for what could be his last Test match. Matthews showed determination, scoring a dogged 39 off 69 balls, resisting the Bangladesh attack and slog-sweeping Taijul for a six.
Nissanka Close to a Double Hundred
After tea, Nissanka and Matthews continued to pile on the runs, with Nissanka looking more comfortable as the day wore on. He reached 150 and kept piling on the pressure against the tiring Bangladesh bowlers. Kamindu Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva joined in after Matthews fell to Mominul Haque, and the pair ensured that Sri Lanka ended the day strongly.
The Breakthrough: Nissanka Falls for 187
With the new ball in hand, Hasan Mahmud found a breakthrough by dismissing Nissanka with a brilliant inswinger, which saw him fall just 13 runs short of a double century. Kamindu Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva saw out the remaining overs, taking Sri Lanka to 368/4 at stumps.
Brief Scores:
- Bangladesh: 495 (Mushfiqur Rahim 163, Najmul Hossain Shanto 148, Litton Das 90; Asitha Fernando 4-86, Milan Rathanayake 3-38)
- Sri Lanka: 368/4 (Pathum Nissanka 187, Dinesh Chandimal 54; Mominul Haque 1-24, Hasan Mahmud 1-49)
Sri Lanka trails by 127 runs with six wickets remaining.
Pathum Nissanka’s brilliant 187 guided Sri Lanka’s solid reply on Day 3 in Galle. Despite a late collapse, Sri Lanka is still in the game, trailing Bangladesh by 127 runs with six wickets in hand. The ongoing match promises more drama as Sri Lanka looks to gain control.
