The third day of the second Test between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka ended with the visitors asserting total dominance and edging closer to an emphatic innings victory. With just four wickets left to claim, Sri Lanka is poised to seal the match with a day to spare, following a commanding all-round performance on Day 3.
Bangladesh Falters Under Pressure
Bangladesh’s batting lineup once again failed to deliver under pressure. Trailing by 211 runs after Sri Lanka’s first innings total of 458, the hosts were reeling at 115 for 6 by the end of Day 3 in their second innings. With a deficit of 96 runs still to erase, Bangladesh faces the prospect of an innings defeat unless a miraculous resistance is staged by their lower order.
Senior batter Mushfiqur Rahim was the top scorer with a modest 26 runs, while captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque both chipped in with 19 runs each, but failed to capitalize on their starts. The rest of the batting order offered little resistance as the Sri Lankan bowlers continued their relentless attack.
Sri Lankan Bowlers Shine
Spinners once again ruled the roost as Prabath Jayasuriya and Dhananjaya de Silva picked up two wickets apiece, exploiting the pitch conditions brilliantly and keeping Bangladesh’s batters in check. The disciplined bowling effort showcased Sri Lanka’s well-rounded attack and strategic brilliance in wearing down the home side.
With the pitch continuing to deteriorate, Sri Lanka’s spinners are likely to play a key role in wrapping up the remaining four wickets swiftly on Day 4.
A Strong Start from Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka resumed their innings on Friday morning with 290 runs for 2 wickets, building on the solid foundation laid by Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis. Although Nissanka’s brilliant knock came to an end at 158 after being dismissed by spinner Taijul Islam, his innings had already done significant damage. Taijul was the standout performer for Bangladesh with the ball, ending with a five-wicket haul, a silver lining in an otherwise gloomy day for the home team.
Kusal Mendis, known for his aggressive style, made a quick-fire 84, accelerating Sri Lanka’s innings and ensuring they posted a massive total of 458, giving them a huge cushion to dominate the rest of the match.
Match Situation and Outlook
With Bangladesh still trailing by 96 runs and only four wickets in hand, the odds are heavily stacked against the home team. Sri Lanka needs just one solid session on Day 4 to secure a victory and potentially win the series. The visitors have outplayed Bangladesh in all departments—batting, bowling, and fielding—and appear well on course to register a resounding win.
Bangladesh, on the other hand, will require a miracle to survive. Their best hope is for the lower-order batters to dig deep and play out as much time as possible, which could force the game into a fifth day or at least prevent an innings defeat. However, with Sri Lanka’s spinners in top form and the pitch offering turn and bounce, even that seems like a tall order.
Key Performances
- Pathum Nissanka: 158 (Sri Lanka)
- Kusal Mendis: 84 (Sri Lanka)
- Taijul Islam: 5 wickets (Bangladesh)
- Mushfiqur Rahim: 26 (Bangladesh, 2nd innings)
- Prabath Jayasuriya & Dhananjaya de Silva: 2 wickets each (Sri Lanka)
As the final day looms, Sri Lanka stands just four wickets away from sealing a commanding win in the second Test. For Bangladesh, it has been a sobering performance that highlights serious concerns in their batting department. Unless they can conjure up an extraordinary effort on Day 4, an innings defeat looks inevitable. All eyes will now be on the concluding session, where Sri Lanka will look to finish the job and assert their supremacy in the series.
