Nissanka leads the charge as Sri Lanka takes control

Opener Pathum Nissanka hit his third century as Sri Lanka moved to 290-2 on Day 3 in a strong reply to Bangladesh in the first cricket Test at Galle International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

After cutting through Bangladesh bowling in surgical fashion in an otherwise a flat track, he stayed not out 165, hitting 21 fours and one six till the report of the day with Angelo Mathews on 39.

Dinesh Chandimal added 54 and combined for a 157-run with Nissanka for the second wicket stand to help Sri Lankan keep the runs flowing.Bangladesh were bowled out for 495, meaning Sri Lanka are trailing by 262 runs.

 Sri Lanka made a fluent start, knowing that attacking cricket is the only way to derive a result from this deck.

Debutant Lahiru Udara who opened with Nissanka was solid in his approach right from beginning as he came down heavily on Bangladesh bowlers.
He was particularly harsh on Nahid Rana, whose pace made little impact in this pitch. Another pacer Hasan Mahmud though bowled in a good channel, failed to give the side any breakthrough.

Taijul's introduction curbed the Sri Lanka batters' aggression to some extent as he varied his pace well to give the batters some discomfort.

His relentless attack gave Bangladesh a success when Udara who hit six fours in his 34 ball-29 was undone by a tossed up delivery.

But Nissanka found able support in Chandimal as the duo played with caution and aggression to tame Bangladesh bowling.

Nissanka raised his century off just 136 balls, pulling Nahid Rana for a single.

Nayeem Hasan broke the partnership, baffling Chandimal with a quicker delivery. In his next over, Nayeem could have dismissed Nissanka on 117 as he edged a delivery to wicket-keeper Liton Das who failed to gobbled the catch.

With Mathews playing with unflinching resolve in what was his last Test; Nissanka got another support in driving the side to safety.

Bangladesh resumed on 484-9 and were able to add just 11 runs before being  all out for 495. Pacer Asitha Fernando claimed the wicket of Nahid Rana in  the third over of the day to bring an end to Bangladesh's innings.

Fernando finished with 4-86, highest for Sri Lanka in this innings, while his new ball partner Milan Rathnayake who tormented Bangladesh with reverse swing in the later afternoon session on Day 2, returned figures of 3-39.Debutant Tharindu Rathnayake also ended with 3-196.

Veteran Mushfiqur Rahim was the top-scorer for Bangladesh with 163 while  captain Najmul Hossain Shanto made 148. Liton Das added 90.

Bangladesh Squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Shadman Islam, Anamul Haque Bijoy, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Kumer Das, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Vice-Captain), Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Hasan Murad, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana, Syed Khaled Ahmed.

Sri Lanka Squad: Dhananjaya de Silva (C), Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Pasinda Sooriyabandara, Sonal Dinusha, Isitha Wijesundara, Pavan Ratnayake, Tharindu Ratnayake, Akila Dananjaya, Milan Rathnayake, Asitha Fernando, Kasun Rajitha.