Bangladesh Faces Innings Defeat, Needs 96 Runs to Avoid Loss

COLOMBO: Kusal Mendis’s aggressive innings of 84 runs, combined with a strong showing by the Sri Lankan spin bowlers, has put Sri Lanka in a commanding position to secure a significant victory against Bangladesh. This unfolded on the third day of the second Test match at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground on Friday.

At the close of play on day three, the visiting team stood at 115/6, trailing by an additional 96 runs. Litton Das remained not out with a score of 13.

Das and Nayeem Hasan are set to resume Bangladesh’s second innings. They require 96 runs to prevent an innings defeat.

The tourists began their innings at a rapid pace, with openers Shadman Islam (12) and Anamul Haque (19) accumulating 31 runs in the first seven overs. However, both were dismissed in quick succession.

Following these dismissals, Mominul Haque (15) and captain Najmul Hassan Shanto (19) attempted to stabilize the innings with a partnership of 32 runs. Unfortunately, they too fell in rapid succession, leaving Bangladesh struggling at 70/4.

Experienced batter Mushfiqur Rahim (26) and all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz (11) contributed modestly in the middle order, highlighting the difficulties faced by the Bangladesh batters against Sri Lanka’s spin-heavy bowling attack.

For Sri Lanka, Prabath Jayasuriya and captain Dhananjaya de Silva were the leading wicket-takers, each claiming two wickets. Tharindu Ratnayake and Asitha Fernando supported well with one wicket each.

Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka continued their first innings from a position of 290/2, with Pathum Nissanka and Jayasuriya at the crease.

However, the hosts experienced a poor start to the day, losing Nissanka early in the morning.

Nissanka was the highest scorer for Sri Lanka with a remarkable 158 runs from 254 balls, including 19 boundaries.

The home side then lost two more wickets, falling to 335/5, before Kusal Mendis launched a counter-attacking innings.

Mendis dominated the Bangladesh bowlers, scoring 84 runs off 87 balls, with 10 boundaries, including two sixes.

The right-handed batter also formed a vital 49-run partnership with Kamindu Mendis, who scored 33 runs from 41 balls.

Taijul Islam stood out as the most successful bowler for Bangladesh, claiming five wickets. Hasan took three wickets, while Nahid Rana secured one.

The series remains level at 0-0 after the first Test in Galle concluded in a draw.