Colombo: Opener Pathum Nissanka hits his second straight century as Sri Lanka dominated Bangladesh bowlers to hurl the baton in the second and final cricket Test today at Sinhalese Sports Club ground in Colombo today. Nissanka followed his career-best 187 in the first Test, with 146 not out, guiding Sri Lanka to 290-2 at stumps.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Nissanka shared two big partnerships with fellow opener Lahiru Udara and veteran Dinesh Chandimal, which helped Sri Lanka to take a 43-run lead with eight wickets in hand. Bangladesh were bowled out for 247 in its first innings.
Both Udara and Chandimal were unfortunate not to have reached their respective milestones against a Bangladesh bowling attack that failed to create any genuine chances. Udara was out for 46, just four runs short of his maiden half-century, while Chandimal missed his 17th Test ton by seven runs, falling for 93 after a late attempt to reverse-sweep.
The Lankan openers capitalized on Bangladesh’s erratic bowling, with Nissanka starting strong with a back foot cover drive for four off the first ball. He achieved his fourth century off 154 balls, ending the day at 146 off 238 with 18 boundaries. A maiden double century beckons him on Day 3.
Parabath Jayasuriya, who came to the pitch as a night watchman, was on 5 at stumps. Bangladesh gained some control through spinners Taijul Islam, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and Nayeem Hasan, but Udara played sweep shots relentlessly, troubling the spinners. Taijul eventually got Udara’s wicket with a successful review for leg-before, ending an 88-run partnership with Nissanka.
Chandimal and Nissanka further frustrated the Bangladesh bowlers, taking their second-wicket partnership past 100 before the Tea session. Nayeem Hasan broke the partnership by dismissing Chandimal after he added 194 runs with Nissanka.
Bangladesh earlier survived 49 balls after resuming Day 2 at 220-8. Taijul Islam scored 33 and helped add 27 runs to the overnight total. Asitha Fernando dismissed Ebadot Hossain for 8, and Taijul was the last batter out, with Sonal Dinusha claiming 3-22 on his debut Test innings. Fernando also took 3-51, while Vishwa Fernando claimed 2-45.
Opener Shadman Islam was the top-scorer for Bangladesh in the first innings with 46. Mushfiqur Rahim (35), Liton Das (34), and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (31) got starts but couldn’t capitalize, which eventually went against Bangladesh.