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Kusal Mendis and Bowlers Put Sri Lanka on the Verge of Victory in Colombo Test
Sri Lanka Tighten Grip After Dominant Display in Second Test
Sri Lanka have taken full control of the second Test against Bangladesh at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, thanks to a commanding 158 from Pathum Nissanka and a quickfire 84 from Kusal Mendis. The hosts posted an imposing total of 458 in their first innings and backed it up with a clinical bowling performance that reduced Bangladesh to 115/6 by the end of Day 3. With a 96-run lead still in hand, Sri Lanka are just four wickets away from sealing the match and the series.
Nissanka and Mendis Lead Sri Lanka’s Batting Charge
Nissanka’s Milestone Knock Anchors the Innings
Resuming Day 3 at 146, Pathum Nissanka reached his fourth Test century milestone by swiftly notching up 150. Sri Lanka crossed the 300-run mark early in the session, putting pressure on the Bangladeshi bowlers. However, left-arm spinner Taijul Islam made key breakthroughs, dismissing Nissanka and skipper Dhananjaya de Silva in quick succession.
Despite these setbacks, Kamindu Mendis seized the opportunity to play freely against Bangladesh’s pacers, hitting four boundaries in a short span. Nightwatchman Prabath Jayasuriya held firm and helped steady the innings before falling to Nahid Rana.
Kusal Mendis Shifts Gears With Counter-Attack
Kusal Mendis combined caution with aggression, adding quick runs as the innings progressed. Partnering briefly with Kamindu Mendis (33), Kusal helped add 51 runs before Kamindu was bowled by Nayeem Hasan just before Lunch.
After the break, Sonal Dinusha overturned a caught-behind call via DRS but was bowled soon after. Kusal Mendis accelerated, smashing Nayeem for two sixes and a four in consecutive overs and lofting Taijul for a boundary as Sri Lanka’s lead surged past 200. Unfortunately, he was run out attempting a risky second run, ending a superb 84-run innings. Taijul then completed his five-wicket haul by dismissing Asitha Fernando, closing Sri Lanka’s innings at 458.
Bangladesh Collapse Under Pressure Again
Promising Start Fades Rapidly
Bangladesh began their second innings positively with Shadman Islam and Anamul Haque hitting two boundaries each to take the score to 28/0. However, Asitha Fernando dismissed Anamul on the final ball before Tea, turning the tide once again in Sri Lanka’s favor.
Middle-Order Fails to Fire
Post-Tea, Shadman was caught behind early in the session. Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque adopted a defensive approach but both fell to De Silva’s clever bowling. Najmul was dismissed in De Silva’s third over, and Mominul, who had earlier hit a six, was also removed.
Veteran Mushfiqur Rahim was bowled by Jayasuriya, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz fell LBW to the final ball of the day, leaving Bangladesh in tatters at 115/6. Sri Lanka now stand on the brink of a dominant series-clinching win.
🔗 Related Reading: Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh 1st Test Match Recap
Sri Lanka’s Bowlers Shine Across Both Innings
Sri Lanka’s bowling unit delivered another well-rounded performance. Asitha Fernando and Sonal Dinusha shared six wickets between them in the first innings, while Prabath Jayasuriya and De Silva combined for four in the second innings so far. Their sustained pressure and strategic variations exposed Bangladesh’s brittle batting once again.
Brief Scores
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Bangladesh 1st Innings: 247 (Shadman Islam 46, Mushfiqur Rahim 35; Sonal Dinusha 3/22, Asitha Fernando 3/51)
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Sri Lanka 1st Innings: 458 (Pathum Nissanka 158, Kusal Mendis 84, Dinesh Chandimal 93; Taijul Islam 5/131, Nayeem Hasan 3/87)
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Bangladesh 2nd Innings: 115/6 (Mushfiqur Rahim 26, Anamul Haque 19; De Silva 2/13, Jayasuriya 2/47)
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Bangladesh trail by 96 runs with 4 wickets in hand
🔗ICC Match Centre – SL vs BAN Test Series
Sri Lanka are firmly poised to wrap up the second Test and complete a series sweep over Bangladesh. With the pitch deteriorating and Bangladesh’s batting in disarray, the match looks likely to conclude swiftly on Day 4 unless an extraordinary resistance unfolds.
