Sri Lanka–Bangladesh 2nd Test Day 3 TOURISTS ON THE ROPES

By M. Shamil Amit

Kusal Mendis celebrates his fifty (Pic by Kushan Pathiraja)

Sri Lanka was poised for an early kill against Bangladesh at the end of day three in the second Test at the SSC ground. In their second essay, Bangladesh faced with the task of erasing a 211-run deficit, were in tatters struggling on 115 for six when bad light stopped play.

The right and left arm spin duo of skipper Dhananjaya de Silva and Prabath Jayasuriya snared four wickets between to do the damage with Asitha Fernando and Tharindu Ratnayake supporting with a wicket each.

With their top order batsmen back in the pavilion, the writing on the wall with Bangladesh needing a further 96 runs with just four wickets in hand to avoid an innings defeat when play gets underway on the fourth day today.

The morning session saw Sri Lanka resuming from their overnight score of 290 for 2 with the overnight pair of Pathum Nissanka and Prabath Jayasuriya being separated after adding only another 15 runs. Nissanka made 158 in 254 balls which comprised 19 boundaries.

Sri Lanka lost two quick wickets for the addition of 30 runs that of skipper Dhananjaya de Silva and Prabath Jayasuriya. Kamindu Mendis and Sonal Dinusha shared a 49-run stand for the sixth wicket as Sri Lanka lost four wickets in the morning session and took on 401 for 6.

Left arm spinner Taijul Islam was the wrecker as Sri Lanka lost their seventh wicket that of Dinusha with only five runs being after the lunch break.

Kusal Mendis battled on despite losing partners at the other end, reaching his half ton which came off in 60 balls with six boundaries. Mendis shared in two partnerships with Ratnayake and Vishwa Fernando which propelled Sri Lanka’s total past the 450-run mark, before being run out for a 87-ball 84 inclusive of eight boundaries and two sixes which helped Sri Lanka make a formidable 458.