Galle, June 19, 2025: A sublime 187-run knock by opener Pathum Nissanka anchored Sri Lanka’s strong reply to Bangladesh’s imposing first-innings total of 495 on day three of the first Test at the Galle International Stadium.
At stumps on Thursday, Sri Lanka stood at 368/4, trailing by 127 runs, with Kamindu Mendis (37)* and captain Dhananjaya de Silva (17)* at the crease, ensuring the hosts remained firmly in the contest heading into the penultimate day.
Resuming from an overnight score of 484/9, Bangladesh added just 11 more runs before being bowled out. Asitha Fernando struck early to dismiss Nahid Rana, ending the innings and finishing with 4 wickets. Milan Rathnayake and Tharindu Rathnayake chipped in with three wickets apiece, helping Sri Lanka contain Bangladesh’s total under 500.
In response, Sri Lanka suffered an early jolt when Lahiru Udana (29) was dismissed by Taijul Islam with the score at 47. However, Nissanka and Dinesh Chandimal steadied the innings with a crucial 157-run stand for the second wicket. Chandimal contributed 54 off 119 balls, including four boundaries, before being removed by Nayeem Hasan.
Nissanka then shared valuable partnerships with Angelo Mathews (39) and Kamindu Mendis. His marathon innings, comprising 256 deliveries, featured 23 boundaries and a six. His dismissal by Hasan Mahmud was a vital breakthrough for Bangladesh, just as the game was beginning to tilt in Sri Lanka’s favor.
Sri Lanka will resume their innings on 368/4, still trailing but with two set batters at the crease and plenty of batting to come. For Bangladesh, the bowling honors were shared, with Mahmud, Nayeem, Taijul, and Mominul Haque each picking up a wicket.
With two days remaining, the match remains finely poised — Sri Lanka’s immediate goal will be to close the gap and potentially build a lead, while Bangladesh will look to trigger a collapse and regain control.
