SL vs BAN 2025, Day 2: Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal steer hosts to commanding situation

Sri Lanka ended Day 2 on 290/2 in 78 overs against Bangladesh in the second Test of the two-match series at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo. They bundled out the visitors early on in the day before stamping their authority in style.

Ebadot Hossain (eight off 13) was dismissed in the fourth over of the day. Taijul Islam (33 off 60) attempted his best to garner as many runs as possible before being the final wicket to fall. He was Sonal Dinusha's third scalp of the innings. The debutant left-arm spinner ended the innings with a three-wicket haul (3/22 in 9.3 overs) to his name.

The Lankans were off to a brisk start to their innings. A total of nine fours were scored by the opening duo of Pathum Nissanka and Lahiru Udara in the first 10 overs, which yielded 55 runs in total. Lunch was taken at the end of the 21st over. Although no boundaries were scored in the final 10 overs of the session, the hosts were in a comfortable spot.

The third ball of the second session brought about Udara's downfall after Taijul pinned him in front. In his third Test innings, Udara departed for 10 short of his maiden half-century. Dinesh Chandimal took charge from Nayeem Hasan in his second over to score three boundaries. Taijul finally got a break from bowling after he was replaced at the end of 45 overs.

The left-arm spinner had grinded tirelessly for 22 overs. Dinesh Chandimal got to his fifty off 70 deliveries. It was the 50th time he had scored 50 or more in Tests. Sri Lanka ended up on 190, at which point tea was taken. It had been all about the partnership between Nissanka and Chandimal after Taijul dismissed Udara for the third time in as many innings.

Nissanka brought up his ton with his 12th boundary of the innings. Taijul was taken off after bowling four overs after the post-tea break. Sri Lanka managed to take the lead on the final ball of the 69th over. It was almost a race against time to see who, between Nissanka and Chandimal, would reach their 150 and ton, respectively.

However, a needless reverse-sweep by Chandimal meant that he had to walk back after scoring 93 off 153. This was also the first time he had gotten dismissed in the nineties. Prabath Jayasuriya arrived as the nightwatcher instead of skipper Dhananjaya de Silva. Jayasuriya got off the mark on his 10th delivery courtesy of an edge past slip.