Pathum Nissanka produced a masterful 187 — his highest Test score and maiden century on home soil — to lead Sri Lanka’s robust response to Bangladesh’s 495 on Day 3 of the first Test at Galle on Thursday.
The 27-year-old right-hander batted with poise and authority, facing 256 balls and striking 23 boundaries and a six, guiding Sri Lanka to 368/4 at stumps in 93 overs — just 127 behind. His knock, the centrepiece of the innings, featured key stands of 157 with Dinesh Chandimal (54) and 89 with Angelo Mathews (39), ensuring the hosts stayed firmly in control heading into the final two days.
Until this match, I’d never hit a Test hundred in Sri Lanka. I’d wanted to break my own mental barrier. Thankfully, today I was able to do that.
His intent was clear from the start, as Sri Lanka maintained a brisk scoring rate of over four runs per over, in stark contrast to Bangladesh’s more conservative approach over the first two days.
We have been conscious about the run rate. We are trying to keep things positive. I hope we have done that sufficiently in this Test match and we look to keep doing that moving forward.
Earlier, Bangladesh were dismissed for 495 within 15 minutes of the morning session, adding only 11 to their overnight total. Asitha Fernando cleaned up the tail, finishing with 4 for 86, while Milan Rathnayake took 3 for 39.
Sri Lanka’s reply began with debutant Lahiru Udara contributing a brisk 29 before falling to a leading edge caught and bowled by Taijul Islam. From there, Nissanka took charge — driving fluently, punishing loose deliveries, and neutralising both spin and pace with aplomb.
Chandimal, continuing his prolific run at Galle, added a measured 54 before falling to a clever leg-slip trap by Nayeem Hasan. Mathews, in his farewell Test, was dismissed by part-timer Mominul Haque after a solid 39.
The only blemish in Nissanka’s near-faultless innings came late in the day when Hasan Mahmud, with the second new ball, breached his defence with an inswinger that denied him a maiden Test double century. Still, the damage had been done.
At close, Dhananjaya de Silva (17*) and Kamindu Mendis (37*) were in control, having put on an unbroken 37 off 45 balls. Their enterprising stand underlined Sri Lanka’s aggressive approach, contrasting Bangladesh’s more cautious tempo earlier in the match.
The visitors’ bowlers struggled for consistency and control throughout the day. While Mahmud, Taijul, Nayeem, and Mominul took a wicket each, they were unable to build sustained pressure, conceding runs at over four an over.
Sri Lanka will look to score briskly on Day 4 and give themselves a sizeable lead, with enough time to bowl Bangladesh out and push for a result.
Brief Scores: Bangladesh 495 all out in 153.4 overs (Mushfiqur Rahim 163, Najmul Hossain Shanto 148; Asitha Fernando 4/86, Milan Rathnayake 3/39); Sri Lanka 368/4 in 93 overs (Pathum Nissanka 187, Dinesh Chandimal 54; Mominul Haque 1/24, Hasan Mahmud 1/49) Sri Lanka trail by 127 runs.
