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The third day of the Colombo Test ended with Bangladesh staring at a daunting defeat, as their batting crumbled despite a promising start. Sri Lanka now stand just four wickets away from clinching the match and the series 1-0, while Bangladesh need a miracle to avoid an innings defeat.
The day began with Sri Lanka resuming their first innings at 290/2. Bangladesh showed early promise with their bowling, as left-arm spinner Taijul Islam led the charge. The Tigers dismissed key batsmen Dhananjaya de Silva (85) and Pathum Nissanka (158), the latter playing a spectacular knock studded with 19 fours. Dinesh Chandimal’s resilient 93 and an aggressive 84 off 87 balls (8 fours, 2 sixes) from Kusal Mendis powered Sri Lanka to 458, securing a massive 211-run first-innings lead.
Taijul Islam was Bangladesh’s standout bowler, claiming 5 wickets for 131 runs in 42.5 overs. Nahid Rana took 1 wicket, while Nayeem Hasan bagged 3.
In their second innings, Bangladesh started brightly, with openers Enamul Haque (19) and Sadman Islam (12) putting onრ
System: on 31 runs in 6.5 overs. However, the momentum shifted after Enamul’s dismissal, followed by a collapse post-tea break. Sadman, Mominul Haque (15), captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (19), Mushfiqur Rahim (26), and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (11) fell in quick succession, undone by Prabath Jayasuriya’s spin and Dhananjaya de Silva’s straight deliveries. At stumps, Bangladesh were reeling at 115/6, still trailing by 96 runs, with Liton Das unbeaten on 13.
Sri Lanka’s bowling was led by Jayasuriya and de Silva, who took two wickets each, while Asitha Fernando and Tharindu Ratnayake claimed one apiece.
With only four wickets in hand, Bangladesh’s sole aim on Day 4 will be to prolong the game and avoid an innings defeat. Liton Das and the remaining batsmen will need to summon extraordinary resilience. Play resumes at 10 AM on the fourth day.
AI/MR
