Galle, June 19 (UNI) Partnerships were the cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s strong reply on Day 3 of the opening Test against Bangladesh, as Pathum Nissanka’s sublime career-best 187 guided the hosts to 368/4 at stumps, trimming the first-innings deficit to just 127 runs.
The Lankan innings, built around Nissanka’s authoritative knock, was a calculated counter to Bangladesh’s imposing 495. The 26-year-old right-hander dominated from the moment he walked in, showcasing a full range of strokes en route to his maiden Test century at home, and second overall.
Nissanka, who fell late in the day to the second new ball after a 256-ball masterclass, was involved in four key partnerships - 47 with debutant Lahiru Udara (29), 157 with Dinesh Chandimal (59), 89 with Angelo Mathews (39), and 38 with Kamindu Mendis (22 not out). Each stand steadily chipped away at the Bangladesh lead while maintaining a brisk scoring rate of around four runs an over.
His dismissal — bowled through the gate by a sharp inducker from Hasan Mahmud — gave Bangladesh a late spark of hope, after a demoralising day in the field. Mahmud, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, and part-timer Mominul Haque shared the wickets, but the attack struggled for control on a pitch offering occasional turn and variable bounce.
Earlier in the morning, Sri Lanka needed just 15 minutes to wrap up the Bangladesh innings. Asitha Fernando claimed the final scalp to finish with 4 for 86, preventing the visitors from stretching their overnight total.
Bangladesh’s bowling, however, lacked the bite shown by their batsmen over the first two days. In contrast to Bangladesh’s methodical crawl at just over three an over, Sri Lanka’s batsmen played with positive intent, frequently shifting pressure back onto the bowlers. Nissanka’s ability to counterattack with controlled aggression ensured no breakthrough led to a collapse.
Dinesh Chandimal contributed a fluent half-century — his 33rd in Tests — using deft late cuts and drives, while Mathews was shaping well before Mominul produced a rare unplayable delivery to have him caught behind. Udara, meanwhile, looked composed on debut before falling to a return catch.
Despite those setbacks, Sri Lanka ended the day in command. Even after Nissanka’s departure, the aggressive 37-run unbroken stand between Kamindu and skipper Dhananjaya de Silva (17*) hinted that the hosts may look to seize control with a lead before the fourth day ends.
The surface at Galle, while beginning to show signs of wear, remained largely batter-friendly. But the odd delivery misbehaved — a factor that could come into sharper play on days four and five.
Sri Lanka’s methodical march and depth in batting now leaves Bangladesh staring at the prospect of batting last under pressure, should rain stay away. With just 127 more to erase, and six wickets still in hand, the pendulum has swung dramatically since the opening two days.
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