Bangladesh staring at innings defeat in Colombo Test against Sri Lanka

Taijul’s effort with the ball not enough as Sri Lanka control Day 3

Bangladesh have ended the third day of the Colombo Test in deep trouble, needing another 96 runs to avoid the follow-on with just four wickets in hand.

Replying to Sri Lanka’s 458, the visitors limped to 115 for 6 at stumps on Friday at the Sinhalese Sports Club.

Despite all top and middle-order batters reaching double digits, none could carry on.

No one managed even 30, with dismissals ranging from good deliveries to loose strokes.

The collapse came after Sri Lanka built a dominant total, led by opener Pathum Nissanka’s 158 and Kusal Mendis’ blazing 84 off 87 balls.

Resuming the day on 290 for 2, Sri Lanka lost Nissanka early when Taijul Islam removed him for 158, ending a 254-ball stay.

Nissanka had been unbeaten on 146 overnight and was coming off a 187 in the first Test.

Dhananjaya de Silva and nightwatchman Prabath Jayasuriya followed quickly, before Kamindu Mendis chipped in with 33, bowled by Nayeem Hasan with a cracking delivery.

Kusal then hammered an entertaining 84, pushing Sri Lanka beyond 450 before being run out chasing a second run, narrowly missing a century.

Taijul finished with 4 for 132, marking his 17th five-wicket haul in Tests.

It was also his fifth haul outside home, tying him with Shakib Al Hasan as Bangladesh’s most successful away spinner.

With a 211-run deficit, Bangladesh’s top order faltered again.

The innings never got going, with wickets tumbling at regular intervals.

As the shadows lengthened in Colombo, the prospect of an innings defeat loomed large.