Nissanka leads bold reply in Galle

Text by: Shamil Amit / Pix by: Jayamal Chandrasiri

Opener Pathum Nissanka cracked his third ton of his career as Sri Lanka made a bold reply on day three of the first Test against Bangladesh at the Galle International Stadium. Sri Lanka wrapped up the last Bangladesh wicket in just under 15 minutes in the morning session of proceedings.

Bangladesh, resuming from their overnight score of 484 for 9 was able to add only another six runs to be bowled out for 495 with pacer Asitha Fernando bagging ending with a four-wicket haul. Nissanka was unfortunate to miss out on his maiden double ton as he was dismissed on 187 as Sri Lanka ended the day on 368 for 4.

Nissanka and debutant Lahiru Udara making steady progress but unfortunately three runs away from their 50-run stand, Udara fell to left arm spinner Taijul Islam having made 29 in 34 balls with six boundaries. Nissanka joined by the experienced Dinesh Chandimal frustrated the Bangladesh bowlers as they posted their 50-run stand in just 77 balls as Sri Lanka went into the lunch break on 100.

The post lunch session saw Nissanka coasting to his fifty which was achieved in just 38 balls and the pair paid scant respect to the Bangladesh bowlers whilst piling up their runs with ease and in the process their posting their 100-run stand for the second wicket. Nissanka raced to his ton, the third of his career in just 136 balls inclusive of 13 boundaries and a six.

Chandimal reached his 33rd half ton of his career. They posted their 150-run stand and Sri Lanka’s 200 on the board. But four runs later right arm spinner Nayeem Hasan made the breakthrough for Bangladesh with the wicket of Chandimal who made 54 with four boundaries and shared a 157-run stand for the second wicket with Nissanka.

Angelo Mathew walking into the crease for the last time of his illustratrious career too turned out to be a thorn in the flesh for the Bangladesh bowlers. Mathew and Nissanka held on for Sri Lanka to go into tea on 233 for 2. The resumption saw Sri Lanka’s 250 runs coming on the board and the pair sharing a 50-run stand for the third wicket and Nissanka reaching his 150 which came off 201 balls with 19 boundaries and a six.

They were separated with the dismissal of Mathew who chipped in with 39 and put on a valuable 89 for the third wicket with Nissanka who after sharing a brief stand of 38 for the fourth wicket with Kamindu Mendis fell victim to right arm pacer Hasan Mahmud having made 187 which comprised 25 boundaries and a six.

Kamindu Mendis and skipper Dhananjaya de Silva negotiated just under nine overs till the end and shared an unbroken stand of 37 runs for the fifth wicket for Sri Lanka to end day three on 368 for 4.