Sri Lanka Claims Lead Against Bangladesh with Nissanka’s Century

COLOMBO: Pathum Nissanka’s impressive century has propelled Sri Lanka into a leading position on the second day of the second Test match against Bangladesh at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground.

Closing the second day, the Sri Lankan team stood strong at 290/2 after playing 78 overs, surpassing Bangladesh’s initial innings score of 247, thereby securing a 43-run advantage.

The innings began steadily for the hosts, with openers Lahiru Udara and Nissanka forming a robust partnership, contributing 88 runs together.

Taijul Islam disrupted the opening stand in the 24th over by dismissing Udara, who scored 40 runs from 65 balls, including four boundaries.

Nissanka then built another significant partnership, adding 194 runs for the second wicket in collaboration with the seasoned Dinesh Chandimal.

Their partnership was a dominant force against the Bangladeshi bowlers until Nayeem Hasan caught Chandimal behind the wickets in the final moments of the day.

Chandimal narrowly missed his century, scoring 93 runs off 153 balls, decorated with 15 fours and one six.

Following Chandimal’s dismissal, Sri Lanka introduced Prabath Jayasuriya as a nightwatchman, who successfully defended his wicket, remaining at five not out after facing 13 balls.

Nissanka remained undefeated at 146 runs from 238 balls, punctuated by 18 boundaries, and will resume Sri Lanka’s first innings on the third day with Jayasuriya.

Islam and Hasan each managed to secure one wicket for Bangladesh.

Earlier, Bangladesh continued their first innings from a score of 220/8, featuring Taijul Islam and Ebadot Hossain. Hossain was dismissed by Asitha Fernando in the third over of the day, scoring eight runs from 13 balls.

Islam then formed an 18-run partnership with Nahid Rana before being dismissed by Sonal Dinusha, after scoring 33 runs off 60 balls, including five boundaries.

Asitha and Dinusha each claimed three wickets for Sri Lanka, Vishwa Fernando took two, and Tharindu Ratnayake along with Dhananjaya de Silva each took one wicket.