Pathum Nissanka's career-defining innings of 187 propelled Sri Lanka into a commanding position at the end of the third day of the opening Test match against Bangladesh. At stumps, Sri Lanka trailed by a mere 127 runs, having built a strong foundation laid by Nissanka's towering knock. Nissanka was the mainstay of Sri Lanka's innings as hosts ended Day 3 at 368/4 in response to Bangladesh's 495. Nissanka stitiched several crucial partnerships before he was eventually dismissed late in the day by medium-paced bowler Hasan Mahmud.
Pathum Nissanka's 187 powers Sri Lanka to 368/4 on Day 3
Having faced pressure coming into the game due to a string of low scores, Nissanka delivered a marathon knock, consuming 256 balls and studded with 23 boundaries and a six. He appeared destined to reach his maiden double century until Mahmud, utilizing the second new ball, managed to break through his defenses. All-rounder Kamindu Mendis and captain Dhananjaya de Silva are set to resume Sri Lanka's innings on the fourth day, with the pitch at Galle still exhibiting characteristics that favor batsmen. Apart from Mahmud's breakthrough, the Bangladesh bowling attack endured a largely uneventful session, with veteran all-rounder Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, and Mominul Haque each claiming a single wicket.
Earlier, Nissanka's opening partner, Lahiru Udara, was dismissed early on by Taijul's slow left-arm orthodox spin bowling. Veteran wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Chandimal provided valuable support with a solid contribution of 54 runs before being caught by Mahmud, ending a crucial 157-run partnership with Nissanka.
Veteran all-rounder Angelo Mathews, playing in his farewell Test match, was honored with a guard of honor from the opposition and contributed a vital cameo of 39 runs. His innings helped the hosts reach 293 runs before he was eventually dismissed by Mominul.
Earlier in the match, Sri Lanka swiftly concluded Bangladesh's first innings within a mere three overs, after the overnight score stood at 484 runs for the loss of nine wickets. The final Bangladeshi batsman, Nahid Rana, edged a short delivery which was safely caught by wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis. This dismissal secured pacer Asitha Fernando figures of four wickets for 86 runs in less than 30 overs. The visitors had been in a strong position, cruising at 458 runs for the loss of only four wickets on Wednesday, before a dramatic collapse saw them lose five wickets for just 26 runs in the final hour of the second day's play, which was affected by rain. For Bangladesh, captain Najmul Hossain Shanto had struck a solid century (148), and Mushfiqur Rahim also reached three figures with an impressive 163. Litton Das fell just short of his century, being dismissed for 90 runs off the bowling of Milan Rathnayake. Bangladesh's batting slide commenced when Fernando, effectively utilizing reverse swing, trapped Rahim leg before wicket, breaking a significant 149-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Litton. In the very next over, debutant Tharindu Rathnayake induced an edge from Litton off a reverse sweep, the catch taken by the keeper, which triggered a further collapse in the batting order. Rain and poor lighting conditions had significantly impacted the second day's play, restricting the total number of overs bowled to just 61.