Losing wickets at the start or end of a session has become almost a tradition for Bangladesh—like an inevitable quirk of fate. On Day 3 of the Colombo Test, beginning their second innings trailing by 211 runs, Bangladesh lost their first wicket just one ball before the tea break. Then, on the third ball of the final session, Sadman Islam was dismissed. Mehidy Hasan Miraz fell as the last batter of the day. By stumps, Bangladesh found themselves staring at the threat of an innings defeat under the dominance of Sri Lanka’s spinners. They reached 115 for 6, still needing 96 runs just to make Sri Lanka bat again.
Ironically, it all started well for Bangladesh. Openers Sadman Islam and Anamul Haque Bijoy gave a promising start and even recorded the highest opening partnership of the series so far for Bangladesh. But that promise didn’t last long. Bijoy, attempting a pull shot against Asitha Fernando’s bouncer, was caught at short leg after scoring in double digits for the first time in three innings. Bangladesh lost their first wicket at 31. Soon after the tea break, Sadman edged one to substitute wicketkeeper Lahiru Udara.
The next two wickets fell within 39 runs. Exploiting the turning pitch and the usual offspinner advantage against left-handers, Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva brought himself into the attack. Mominul Haque, trying to play a flighted delivery on the front foot, edged it to Kamindu Mendis at slip and was dismissed for 15.
Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto had been confidently handling the Sri Lankan spinners with a mix of sweeps and reverse sweeps, much like in the Galle Test. But his resistance didn’t last long either. Trying to play a ball outside off-stump off the back foot, he missed the line and was struck on the pad. The strong LBW appeal was upheld. Shanto reviewed the decision but to no avail. He made 19 off 48 balls before becoming Dhananjaya’s second victim.
Veteran Mushfiqur Rahim also struggled against the spinners despite playing 53 deliveries. While his footwork and defensive batting held the line briefly, he eventually fell LBW to Prabath Jayasuriya. Bangladesh lost their fifth wicket with the score on 100. The final wicket of the day came when Tharindu Ratnayake dismissed Miraz.
Liton Das will resume Day 4 with Nayeem Hasan and later Taijul Islam for company. Liton remained unbeaten on 13 off 39 balls at stumps. The right-hander will now have to shepherd the tail and try to stretch the innings as long as possible. But with the Colombo pitch offering sharp turn and Sri Lanka on top, avoiding a follow-on let alone taking a lead seems extremely unlikely.
Earlier, Bangladesh had been bowled out for 247 in their first innings after choosing to bat. In reply, Sri Lanka scored a massive 458, courtesy of a century from Pathum Nissanka and two 90-plus scores from Dinesh Chandimal and Kamindu Mendis. Taijul Islam took five wickets in that innings for Bangladesh.