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Published : 19 Jun 2025, 08:31 PM
Sri Lanka have mounted a strong reply to Bangladesh’s first-innings total of 495, having reached 368 for 4 at stumps on day three of the Galle Test, led by a career-best 187 from opener Pathum Nissanka.
Nissanka’s commanding knock came off 256 balls and featured 23 boundaries and a six. It was his third Test century and comfortably eclipsed his previous highest score of 127.
Bangladesh resumed the day on 484 for 9 but could add only 11 more runs before being bowled out for 495.
Asitha Fernando wrapped up the innings by dismissing Nahid Rana and finishing with 4 wickets.
In response, Sri Lanka started steadily. The opening stand was worth 47 before debutant Lahiru Udara fell for 29, miscuing a return catch to Taijul Islam after a promising start that included six boundaries.
Nissanka then found solid support from Dinesh Chandimal as the pair added 157 for the second wicket.
Chandimal, who has a strong record against Bangladesh, scored a measured 54 before being trapped by off-spinner Nayeem Hasan. It was his fifth half-century against the Tigers to go with five centuries from 13 Tests against them.
Nissanka brought up his fifty off 88 deliveries and accelerated to his second fifty in just 48 balls. He was later joined by Angelo Mathews, who received a guard of honour from the Bangladesh team as he walked in for what is set to be his final Test.
The duo added 89 for the third wicket before Mominul Haque, turning to his occasional spin, dismissed Mathews for 39.
Nissanka reached 150 in 201 balls and was closing in on a double-century when Bangladesh finally removed him with the second new ball.
Hasan Mahmud bowled him with a superb delivery shortly after Bangladesh took the new ball beyond the 80-over mark.
Captain Dhananjaya de Silva and Kamindu Mendis saw Sri Lanka through to stumps with a steady unbroken stand of 37 off 45 balls, keeping the hosts well-positioned to match or surpass Bangladesh’s first-innings total with the Test finely poised.
