Pathum Nissanka's magnificent unbeaten century propelled Sri Lanka into a commanding position on Day Two of the second Test against Bangladesh at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) ground in Colombo on Thursday.
The prolific opener's 146 not out anchored the hosts' innings, helping them to a formidable 290/2 at stumps, securing a 43-run lead after bundling out the Tigers for 247 in the first session.
Nissanka dominated proceedings, striking 18 boundaries in his impressive knock and forging a pivotal 194-run partnership with veteran Dinesh Chandimal. This partnership effectively wrestled control of the match firmly into Sri Lanka's hands.
The day began with Bangladesh resuming their first innings at a precarious 220 for 8. Tailender Taijul Islam showed commendable resilience, adding valuable runs to help Bangladesh creep closer to the 250-mark.
Taijul scored 33 off 60 deliveries, frustrating the Sri Lankan attack and contributing to partnerships of 17, 15, and 18 for the final three wickets with Nayeem Hasan, Ebadot Hossain, and Nahid Rana respectively.
However, the innings concluded at 247 all out in 79.3 overs. Pace bowler Asitha Fernando trapped the returning Ebadot Hossain (8) lbw with a delivery that kept low, a decision confirmed by review.
Taijul himself eventually holed out to mid-wicket off a Sonal Dinusha delivery while attempting to accelerate. Sri Lanka's fielding remained a concern, with Taijulbeing dropped on 20 by Kamindu Mendis, taking the hosts' tally of spilled chances to five in the innings.
Sri Lanka's reply began robustly, with openers Pathum Nissanka and Lahiru Udara providing a solid start. They went to lunch at 83 for no loss from 21 overs, trailing by 164 runs. Both batsmen looked comfortable, with Nissanka on 42 and Udara on 40. Bangladesh's bowlers struggled to pose a consistent threat, with an early lbw appeal against Udara off Taijul Islam being overturned on umpire's call.
Post-lunch, Taijul Islam finally secured the breakthrough, trapping Lahiru Udara lbw for 40, breaking an 88-run opening stand. Despite an initial not-out decision, Bangladesh's review proved successful. However, this was their only success for a significant period.
Nissanka swiftly brought up his half-century off 79 balls, and he was joined by Dinesh Chandimal. The pair built an unblemished 102-run stand by tea, taking Sri Lanka to 190 for 1, trailing by just 57 runs. This session yielded 107 runs in 29 overs, reflecting Sri Lanka's growing control.
The final session saw Nissanka and Chandimal continue to pile on the runs. Their partnership swelled to a massive 194 runs before Chandimal fell agonisingly short of his century, dismissed for 90 when he ballooned a glove-edge to the wicketkeeper off Nayeem Hasan. This wicket marked Nayeem's first scalp of the innings and also saw Litton Dassurpass Mushfiqur Rahim to become Bangladesh's leading wicket-keeper in Tests with 114 dismissals.
Nightwatchman Prabath Jayasuriya successfully negotiated the remaining deliveries, finishing on 5 not out from 13 balls. With Nissanka firmly entrenched on 146*, Sri Lanka will look to extend their 43-run lead significantly on Day Three, putting immense pressure on the struggling Bangladesh batting line-up
