Opener Pathum Nissanka delivered a solid performance with the bat against Bangladesh in the Galle Test with 187 that led Sri Lanka’s fightback in reply to Bangladesh’s first innings total of 495.

At the end of day three, Sri Lanka had scored 368 for four, trailing the visitors by 127 runs with six wickets in hand.

In the first wicket stand, Nissanka and debutant opener Lahiru Udara posted a brisk 47 runs in just 12 overs.

Lahiru was impressive with a 34-ball 29 with six fours. But he was trapped by Taijul Islam, the premier left-arm spinner of Bangladesh. It was a loose delivery that Lahiru failed to guess properly and sent a return catch to Taijul.

After the early loss of their first wicket, Sri Lanka found stability as Pathum Nissanka and Dinesh Chandimal forged a crucial 157-run partnership for the second wicket.

Chandimal eventually departed for 54, but Nissanka continued to anchor the innings, keeping the scoreboard ticking.

His impressive stay at the crease ended when he fell to Hasan Mahmud, shortly after Bangladesh took the second new ball. The delivery, angled into Nissanka, saw him attempt a straight drive but miss the ball, which then disturbed his stumps.

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Later, Angelo Mathews became the hosts' fourth wicket to fall, dismissed by an ultra-slow delivery from Mominul Haque.

Earlier, riding on the centuries of Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim and 90 from Litton Das, Bangladesh posted 495 after winning the toss.

Both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka started their new World Test Championship cycle with this match.//