Opening batsman Pathum Nissanka led Sri Lanka’s fightback hammering the Bangladesh attack to a career best 187 off 256 balls exemplified by 23 boundaries and a six as the hosts ended the third day’s play on 368 for 4 wickets, 127 behind Bangladesh’s 495 after the visitors added 11 runs to their overnight 484 for 9 when Asitha Fernando had Navid Rana caught behind by stumper Kusal Mendis for a duck at the Galle International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
Nissanka lived up to his big reputation as a batsman for big scores and big moments in flaying the Bangladesh attack to all parts of the ground in mounting Sri Lanka’s big score. He put on 47 for the first wicket with debutant Isuru Udara who made a quick fire 29 before the big one 147 or the second wicket between Dinesh Chandimal 54 off 119 balls with 5 boundaries. Following Chandimal’s exit, Nissanka added a further 89 for the third wicket with Angelo Mathews who struck 39 off 69 with a six and 3 boundaries in his swansong.
Nissanka continued to take on the bowlers after Chandimal had departed to a catach to Shadman Islam off Nayeem Hasan.
Nissanka’s gem of an innings ended with just over 7 overs from stumps when he was bowled by quick Hasan Mahmud with the second new ball having having added 38 for the fourth wicket with Kamindu Mendis, but skipper Dhananjaya de Silva joined Mendis who was on 37 with the Lankan skipper on 17 to ending the day on 368 for 4.
Chief Scores
Bangladesh 495 (153.4 Overs)
(Mushfiqur Rahim 163, Najmul Hossain Shanto 148, Litton Das 90, Asitha Fernando 4/86, Milan Rathnayake 3/39, Tharindu Rathnayake 3/196)
Sri Lanka 368/4 (93 Overs)
(Pathum Nissanka 187, Dinesh Chndimal 54, Angelo Mathews 39, Lahiru Udara 29, Kamindu Mendis .o. 37, Dhananjaya de Silva n.o. 17, Mominul Haque 1/24, Hasan Mahmud 1/49, Nayeem Hasan 1/86, Taijul Islam 1/126)