COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka remained steadfast at the crease, notching his second consecutive test century and powering his team to a robust 290-2 by the end of day two in the second test against Bangladesh. Bangladesh had been earlier dismissed for a total of 247.
The opening batsman, Nissanka, delivered an impeccable unbeaten score of 146 off 238 deliveries, adorned with 18 boundaries. This follows his impressive 187-run performance during the first test at Galle, which concluded in a draw. Together with Dinesh Chandimal, Nissanka built a strong partnership, contributing to a sizeable 194-run stand for the second wicket.
Chandimal edged towards another century, scoring 93 off 153 balls before attempting a reverse sweep off Nayeem Hasan. This resulted in an easy catch to wicketkeeper Litton Das as the light began to fade. It was the first instance Chandimal was dismissed in the 90s. Bangladesh also found themselves thwarted in a review attempt against nightwatchman Prabath Jayasuriya, who will continue batting on 5 runs.
At the start of the innings, Nissanka and Lahiru Udara gave Sri Lanka a solid opening partnership of 88 runs before the breakthrough came with Taijul Islam striking soon after the lunch interval. Udara contributed a quickfire 40 from 65 balls but was caught in place against a straight delivery by the left-arm spinner. Bangladesh’s successful review led to his dismissal.
Meanwhile, fast bowler Nahid Rana battled inconsistencies in his spells despite consistently clocking speeds of 144 kph. His strategy of deploying bouncers to challenge Nissanka and Chandimal proved fruitless, allowing Chandimal to overturn an lbw verdict when he was on 30 runs.
Nissanka reached his fourth test century by driving a boundary off Rana shortly after the tea break. This marks his 11th score exceeding fifty in his 18-test journey. Chandimal, toward the closing stages of the day, unleashed a flurry of reverse sweeps, with both batsmen adeptly using their footwork against spinners and taking advantage of any loose balls from the fast bowlers.
Earlier in the day, Bangladesh resumed their innings at 220-8 and managed to add just 27 more runs before losing their final two wickets. On debut, left-arm spinner Sonal Dinusha emerged as Sri Lanka’s top bowler with figures of 3-22, while fast bowler Asitha Fernando contributed 3-51.