Pathum Nissanka scores career-best 187 as Sri Lanka post 368/4 in response to Bangladesh’s 495. Chandimal hits fifty; deficit now just 127 heading into Day 4.
Nissanka’s Majestic 187 Headlines Sri Lanka’s Counterattack After Bangladesh Post 495
Sri Lanka delivered a commanding response to Bangladesh’s imposing first-innings score of 495, closing Day 3 at 368 for 4, reducing the deficit to 127 runs. The star of the show was Pathum Nissanka, who produced a sparkling 187 off 256 balls, the highest score of his Test career and his first Test century on home soil.
His innings was a masterclass in control and counterattack, as he dominated Bangladesh’s bowling from the first new ball to the second. A double century looked well within reach until Hasan Mahmud slipped a late inducker through his defense, denying him a second double ton across formats.
Despite that breakthrough, Bangladesh were left searching for answers after enduring three sessions of relentless pressure. The Galle surface offered occasional assistance, but it was Sri Lanka’s assertiveness and clever strike rotation that made all the difference.
Nissanka’s knock was complemented by crucial partnerships:
47 with debutant Lahiru Udara (29 off 34)
157 with Dinesh Chandimal (54)
89 with Angelo Mathews (39)
38 with Kamindu Mendis, followed by a quickfire 37-run unbeaten stand with Dhananjaya de Silva.
Every partnership not only added runs but did so with intent, keeping the run rate around four an over throughout the day—a stark contrast to Bangladesh’s cautious crawl at just over three runs per over over the first two days.
The dismissal of Mathews, in his farewell Test, was a rare lapse, with part-timer Mominul Haque sneaking one past his bat for a soft edge. Yet Sri Lanka refused to let momentum slip, displaying the kind of batting depth and discipline that had eluded their opponents.
On a pitch that still offered good value for shots on Day 3, Sri Lanka’s ability to rotate strike and find boundaries exposed Bangladesh’s inconsistent lengths. By stumps, their fifth-wicket pair of Kamindu and Dhananjaya had already rattled off 37 from just 45 balls, hinting at further dominance.
Earlier in the morning, Asitha Fernando had wrapped up the Bangladesh innings swiftly, finishing with 4 for 86, ensuring Bangladesh added only a handful of runs to their overnight total.
Despite their healthy score, Bangladesh’s innings lacked rhythm, relying heavily on two massive partnerships in the middle, with very little in support at the top or tail. In contrast, Sri Lanka’s innings has been about consistency, composure, and collective contribution.
With two days remaining, and weather permitting, the onus is now on Bangladesh to bat out Day 5 to salvage a draw. But given the signs of wear on the surface and Sri Lanka’s batting form, an outright result is still very much on the cards.
