Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka scored a career-best 187 as his team reached 368-4 on day three of the first Test against Bangladesh at Galle on Thursday, trailing by 127 runs in response to Bangladesh’s first innings total of 495.Nissanka’s impressive innings included 23 fours and a six from 256 balls before being bowled by Hasan Mahmud late in the day.The 27-year-old opener, who had been struggling with only one half-century in nine innings, anchored several key partnerships throughout the day.“This is my first Test hundred at home so I was very happy to get there. It is important that we get a decent lead and put them under pressure,” Nissanka said after the day’s play.Nissanka expressed disappointment with his dismissal and acknowledged his recent scoring drought since his century in England last year, stating he was “trying to make the most of today.”Kamindu Mendis (37) and captain Dhananjaya de Silva (17) remained unbeaten at stumps, with the Galle pitch continuing to favor batsmen.Bangladesh’s bowlers managed to claim four wickets, with Mahmud, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, and Mominul Haque taking one each.
The day began with Lahiru Udara’s early dismissal for 29 by Islam, followed by Dinesh Chandimal’s solid 54-run contribution in a 157-run partnership with Nissanka.Angelo Matthews, playing his farewell Test, received a guard of honor from the opposition and scored 39 runs before falling to Haque with the team total at 293.Sri Lanka quickly wrapped up Bangladesh’s innings in the morning, taking the final wicket in just three overs after their overnight score of 484-9.Quiz: Who’s that IPL player?Asitha Fernando claimed the last wicket of Nahid Rana, who edged to wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis, finishing with figures of 4-86 from 29.4 overs.Bangladesh had dominated the previous day at 458-4 before losing five wickets for 26 runs in the final hour of the rain-affected second day.Bangladesh’s bowling coach Shaun Tait commented on the conditions, saying, “It was difficult conditions for the fast bowlers today, they toiled hard.”“I am not going to be critical of our batters,” Tait added, acknowledging the lower order’s limited contribution but expressing satisfaction with the overall score.The match began with Bangladesh winning the toss and posting 495 in their first innings, featuring centuries from Najmul Hossain Shanto (148) and Mushfiqur Rahim (163).
