SL vs BAN 2025, 1st Test, Day 3 Review: Nissanka leads charge with 187 as Sri Lanka close in on visitors' first innings total

Bangladesh began Day 3 at 484 for 9, but their innings wrapped up swiftly with just 11 runs added to the total. Sri Lanka, trailing by 495 runs, began their first innings with openers Pathum Nissanka and Lahiru Udara. Hasan Mahmud took the new ball, but it was Taijul Islam who made the breakthrough, dismissing Udara for a quickfire 29 off 34 balls through a sharp caught and bowled.

Nissanka then stitched a 157-run partnership with wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Chandimal, who scored his 33rd Test fifty, his fifth in 11 innings since being promoted up the order. Chandimal fell to Nayeem Hasan after scoring 54, but Nissanka carried on his fine form.

The opener went on to build an 89-run stand with veteran Angelo Mathews, who added a steady 39 before falling to spinner Mominul Haque. Nissanka, meanwhile, brought up his third Test century and his first on home soil. He continued to dominate, reaching his 150 in the 67th over with a well-timed drive to mid-off.

His majestic innings came to an end at 187 off 256 balls, an effort that included 23 boundaries and one six. Mahmud finally got his reward by bowling Nissanka with the second new ball, a delivery that gave Bangladesh a much-needed breakthrough.

By Stumps on Day 3, Sri Lanka had posted a strong 368 for 4, trailing by 127 runs. Kamindu Mendis (37*) and captain Dhananjaya de Silva (17*) remained unbeaten at the crease, looking steady.

For Bangladesh, four bowlers picked up a wicket each, but breakthroughs were hard to come by on a pitch that remained good for batting. Sri Lanka will look to narrow the deficit as quickly as possible on Day 4 and put together a good score on the board.