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Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (c), Kusal Mendis (wk), Milan Priyanath Rathnayake, Tharindu Ratnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando
Bangladesh: Shadman Islam, Anamul Haque, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Jaker Ali, Nayeem Hasan, Taijul Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana
Day 2 of the Galle Test saw a gripping shift in momentum as Sri Lanka clawed their way back into the contest after a dominant Bangladesh batting display. Resuming on 292/3, the visitors piled on the runs in the morning and early afternoon, led by Mushfiqur Rahim’s sublime 163 and Litton Das’s elegant 90, pushing the total past 450. However, the evening session belonged entirely to Sri Lanka, with Milan Rathnayake wreaking havoc, claiming 3 wickets for just 8 runs in a fiery spell. Tharindu Ratnayake chipped in with two scalps, including the crucial dismissal of Litton. Bangladesh closed the day at 484/9, with bad light forcing an early end, but Sri Lanka will be buoyed by their strong finish heading into Day 3.
Day 3 of the Galle Test will begin with an early start to make up for the lost overs due to bad light on Day 2. Here’s a breakdown of the revised session timings:
Morning Session: 9:45 AM to 12:00 PM
Lunch Break: 12:00 PM to 12:40 PM
Afternoon Session: 12:40 PM to 2:55 PM
Tea Break: 2:55 PM to 3:15 PM
Evening Session: 3:15 PM to 5:15 PM
The players are back on the field as Day 3 gets underway. Sri Lanka break from their final huddle and take their positions with purpose, eager to wrap up the Bangladesh innings quickly. Hasan Mahmud takes strike, joined by Nahid Rana at the non-striker’s end. With just one wicket in hand, Bangladesh will look to squeeze out a few more runs, while the hosts aim for an early breakthrough.
Bangladesh have posted a commanding total of 495 in their first innings, wrapping up the innings early on Day 3 with the addition of 11 runs to their overnight score. It was a clinical performance with the bat, led by centuries from skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto (148) and Mushfiqur Rahim (163), alongside a crucial 90 from Litton Das. Winning the toss proved vital, and the visitors made full use of favourable batting conditions at Galle.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers were made to toil across six sessions, with breakthroughs coming at a premium. Asitha Fernando was the standout, claiming 4 for 86 including both openers and centurions, while Milan Rathnayake impressed with a fiery 3 for 39.
Debutant Tharindu Ratnayake had mixed fortunes, picking up three wickets for 196 runs but saw a few chances dropped off his bowling. In a rare occurrence, Galle specialist Prabath Jayasuriya ended wicketless for the first time at this venue. With Bangladesh laying down a strong platform, all eyes will now be on Sri Lanka’s reply.
Lahiru Udara Pathum Nissanka have got off to a good start and have already added 21 runs in 5 overs of the Sri Lanka innings. Udara being the agressor have scored 12 off 13 and Nissanka opposite to his natural style of playing has scored 7 off 19.
It's taken 260 Tests for two RHBs to open for Sri Lanka 🤯 #SLvBAN pic.twitter.com/oVpoEMLIpg
Taijul Islam strikes just before drinks to break a budding partnership as debutant Lahiru Udara falls for 29. The dismissal came from a clever piece of bowling — flighted and drifting in, tempting Udara to work it to the leg side. However, the ball dipped sharply, catching the leading edge as Udara closed the face too early, resulting in a simple return catch to the bowler. It was an impressive little cameo from Udara, laced with six boundaries, but he’ll be disappointed not to have converted his start.
It’s drinks on the third morning in Galle, and the session has already seen key developments. Asitha Fernando wasted no time in wrapping up the Bangladeshi innings, claiming the final wicket to finish with figures of 4 for 86, as Bangladesh posted a commanding 495. In response, Sri Lanka’s openers made a steady start, with Pathum Nissanka (15*) and debutant Lahiru Udara (29) adding 47 runs in 12 overs. However, the stand was broken just before the first hour as Taijul Islam, operating with guile and flight, dismissed Udara in his fourth over — a soft return catch ending the debutant’s promising start.
Interestingly, the pairing of Pathum Nissanka and Lahiru Udara marks Sri Lanka’s first all right-handed opening duo in Test cricket in nearly three decades. The last time Sri Lanka fielded a right-handed opening combination was way back in the 1995 Boxing Day Test at the MCG, when Roshan Mahanama and Chandika Hathurusinghe walked out together against Australia. After 29 and a half years, the right-hand-only top pairing returns to the Test fold, highlighting a rare occurrence in Sri Lanka’s long-standing preference for left-right combinations at the top.
An entertaining and competitive first session unfolded on Day 3 in Galle, with Sri Lanka reaching 100/1 at lunch in response to Bangladesh’s imposing first-innings total of 495. Pathum Nissanka (46*) and Dinesh Chandimal (22*) looked composed at the crease, stitching an unbroken 53-run partnership as the hosts trail by 395 runs.
The day began with Bangladesh adding 11 runs to their overnight score of 484/9. Hasan Mahmud contributed 7 of those before being dismissed by Asitha Fernando, who finished with 4/86 after bowling a sharp delivery down the leg side to end the innings.
Sri Lanka’s reply got off to a solid start, with the right-handed opening pair of Pathum Nissanka and debutant Lahiru Udara putting on 47 runs for the first wicket. Udara looked confident during his short stay but fell to Taijul Islam for 29, undone by a classic left-arm spinner’s drift and dip that produced a return catch.
From there, Chandimal joined Nissanka, and the pair negotiated the rest of the session comfortably, keeping the scoreboard ticking while showing strong defensive technique against both pace and spin. With Nissanka nearing his eighth Test half-century, Sri Lanka have laid a solid platform as they look to chip away at the sizeable Bangladesh total.
The players and umpires are back out in the middle for the second session on Day 3. Pathum Nissanka and Dinesh Chandimal, both looking settled, resume Sri Lanka’s reply as they continue to trail Bangladesh’s first-innings total. Nayeem Hasan will start proceedings with the ball for the visitors, hoping to find a breakthrough and break this steady partnership.
Mominul Haque appears to be in some discomfort as he already has his middle finger taped up. The physio rushes out to the middle to assess the situation and provide some immediate treatment. Bangladesh will hope it’s nothing serious and that Mominul can continue without much trouble.
Pathum Nissanka brings up a well-crafted half-century, his 8th in Test cricket, with a neatly worked shot to deep midwicket. The right-hander has looked composed and in control, reaching the milestone in just 88 deliveries. A pillar of consistency at the top, Nissanka continues to underline his value to the Sri Lankan Test side.
Time for a breather in what has been a solid and composed session from Sri Lanka. The pair of Pathum Nissanka and Dinesh Chandimal have looked assured at the crease, steadily chipping away at Bangladesh’s first-innings lead with a measured approach. It’s been a strong response from the hosts, underlining both their intent and the nature of the pitch — which, despite expectations, hasn’t offered much assistance to the bowlers, even on Day 3. Apart from a brief spell before lunch, there’s been little turn or bite, allowing Nissanka to bring up a well-crafted century and keep Bangladesh’s spinners at bay.
Dinesh Chandimal’s love affair with Galle continues as the veteran right-hander brought up yet another milestone with a composed fifty — his 33rd in Test cricket. Flicking a slightly short delivery through deep mid-wicket, Chandimal not only rotated the strike but also reaffirmed his status as one of Sri Lanka’s most dependable batters at this venue. His record at Galle is truly exceptional: six Test centuries here, all in matches where Sri Lanka have remained unbeaten, claiming five wins and a draw. Time and again, his calm presence has been instrumental in steering the hosts into commanding positions. With conditions at Galle known for shifting quickly, Chandimal’s knock could once again prove pivotal as Sri Lanka aim to press ahead in this gripping Test.
Breakthrough at last for Bangladesh, and it’s a big one! Dinesh Chandimal, who had looked rock-solid with a fluent 54, falls to a clever leg-stump trap set by Nayeem Hasan. Bowling around the wicket at 85 kph, Nayeem got one to dip and turn just enough, catching Chandimal’s inside edge as he looked to work it fine. The ball flew straight to Shadman Islam at leg slip, who lunged low and claimed the catch inches above the turf. The on-field umpires sent it upstairs for confirmation, but replays showed the fingers clearly under the ball — clean catch, and the decision was upheld. Chandimal, a key pillar of Sri Lanka’s resistance, walks back just when he seemed set for a big one. Smart bowling, sharp fielding, and finally a well-earned reward for the Tigers.
A dominant post-lunch session for Sri Lanka on Day 3 saw them pile on 133 runs in 33 overs while losing just one wicket — that of Dinesh Chandimal, who departed after a composed half-century. Pathum Nissanka was the star of the session, bringing up his third Test century and his first on home soil, showcasing class and composure throughout. Angelo Mathews, playing his 108th Test, received a guard of honour from the Bangladesh players and settled in confidently at the crease. With the pitch offering little assistance to the bowlers, Bangladesh’s spinners toiled without much reward, allowing the hosts to maintain a brisk scoring rate. With more batting to come, the final session promises further runs.
Sri Lanka trail by 262 runs, and with the pitch beginning to show signs of variable bounce and turn, the urgency to chip away at the deficit becomes more pressing. The surface is starting to offer some assistance to the spinners, which means batting will only get tougher from here on. Sri Lanka will be eager to capitalise on the remaining daylight and pile on as many runs as possible before stumps. The next couple of hours could be pivotal in shaping the course of this Test match.
With the run rate now climbing back above four an over, Sri Lanka are firmly in control and pushing the game toward a result in their favour. Bangladesh’s conservative approach with the bat has left them with limited options—only a draw or a Sri Lankan victory remain realistic outcomes. The visitors must rethink their bowling strategy, especially with Hasan Mahmud having bowled just nine overs despite showing promise. Even part-timer Mominul Haque, who gave away only three runs in his solitary over, could be used to break the rhythm. Bangladesh need to rotate their bowlers smartly and find ways to stem the flow of runs, or risk letting this Test slip away entirely.
In what turned out to be a decisive moment in the final session, Bangladesh broke a threatening 89-run partnership as Angelo Mathews fell for 39 off 69 balls. The experienced batter, playing his final Test, was drawn forward to a teasing delivery from part-time spinner Mominul Haque, who struck gold with a ball that drifted in, bounced more than expected, and turned just enough to take the shoulder of the bat. Litton Das completed a sharp catch behind the stumps, and umpire Rod Tucker wasted no time in raising the finger. Mathews, knowing he had edged it, walked off without a fuss. The wicket came just as Sri Lanka looked to take control, with Pathum Nissanka solid on 168*, but Mominul’s under-rated spin provided Bangladesh a crucial breakthrough right before drinks.
Mahmud produced a stunning inswinger to castle Pathum Nissanka for a magnificent 187 off 256 balls. The delivery, bowled with a wobbled seam, pitched on a good length around off and jagged back sharply to sneak through the gap between bat and pad, crashing into the middle stump. Nissanka, visibly tired after a marathon innings, was beaten for pace and movement as the ball cut him in half.
It was a moment of brilliance from Mahmud, who showcased his ability to move the ball both ways. Nissanka looked back in disbelief at the shattered stumps before walking off to a standing ovation—his career-best knock had anchored Sri Lanka’s innings, but Bangladesh’s hopes for a first-innings lead were revived with that timely breakthrough.
A superb batting display from Pathum Nissanka, backed by valuable contributions from Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, and Kamindu Mendis, helped Sri Lanka reach 368/4 at stumps on Day 3 of the first Test against Bangladesh in response to the visitors’ imposing first-innings total of 495. The hosts now trail by 127 runs, with the contest finely poised heading into Day 4.
Sri Lanka began the day with confidence, led by the in-form Pathum Nissanka, who continued from where he left off on Day 2. The morning session produced 111 runs in 29.4 overs at a brisk rate, although Bangladesh managed to pick up two crucial wickets. Angelo Mathews, in his final Test, was dismissed for 39, edging part-timer Mominul Haque to the keeper. Earlier, Nayeem Hasan had removed nightwatchman Prabath Jayasuriya. Despite the losses, Nissanka held firm, building a solid base for Sri Lanka’s innings.
The post-lunch phase belonged largely to Sri Lanka, who added 133 runs in 33 overs while losing just one wicket. Nissanka reached his career-best score of 187, dominating Bangladesh’s bowlers with crisp strokeplay—23 fours and a six highlighting his authoritative knock. Dinesh Chandimal provided excellent support, compiling a fluent 54 before falling to Hasan Mahmud. The pair added significant momentum to Sri Lanka’s innings, reducing the deficit substantially.
Bangladesh clawed their way back slightly in the final session, which saw 135 runs scored in 33 overs, along with two wickets. The biggest breakthrough came when Hasan Mahmud, armed with the second new ball, bowled a tired-looking Nissanka with a sharp inswinger, ending a magnificent innings on 187 off 256 balls. Earlier, Mathews’ dismissal had broken a key partnership, but it was Nissanka’s wicket that finally gave Bangladesh breathing space. Kamindu Mendis, continuing his excellent form, remained unbeaten on 37 off 56, ensuring Sri Lanka closed the day with the upper hand.
Bangladesh toiled hard but were inconsistent at times. All four wickets were shared among different bowlers: Nayeem Hasan, Taijul Islam, Mominul Haque, and Hasan Mahmud each struck once, but none could deliver the kind of sustained pressure needed to dent Sri Lanka’s batting depth.
With Kamindu Mendis well set and Sri Lanka just 127 runs behind, Day 4 promises to be crucial in determining the direction of the match. A solid first hour could see Sri Lanka pushing for a lead, while Bangladesh will look to strike early and expose the tail. The match remains tantalisingly poised, setting up an exciting fourth day at the venue.
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