It was a session that began with Sri Lanka in a commanding position, but Bangladesh clawed their way back into the contest thanks to some clever bowling and a touch of magic from Nayeem Hasan.
Resuming with Milan Rathnayake and Kamindu Mendis at the crease, the hosts looked well on course to take a valuable first-innings lead on a surface that had begun to show signs of wear. The pair added crucial runs and, for a time, it appeared Sri Lanka would establish firm control.
However, as the pitch began to deteriorate, Bangladesh’s bowlers turned the tide. Hasan Mahmud and Nayeem Hasan led the charge, exploiting the variable bounce and grip on offer. The defining moment came with the dismissal of Kamindu Mendis, who was closing in on a well-deserved century.
Mendis, on 87 and set at the crease, was undone by a beautifully flighted delivery from Nayeem Hasan, which turned and bounced just enough to beat the bat and find the edge. The dismissal broke Sri Lanka’s resolve, and Nayeem would go on to complete his fourth five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
Despite the late collapse, some spirited hitting from tail-enders Asitha Fernando and Prabath Jayasuriya kept Sri Lanka in the game, reducing the first-innings deficit to just 10 runs.
In total, 980 runs have been scored across both innings, and with Bangladesh preparing to bat again midway through Day 4, the match remains finely poised. The visitors ended the session with confidence, having taken the final three wickets for just 15 runs.
The game is delicately balanced, and with both sides still in with a chance, it’s all set up for a tense finale over the next day and a half.