United News of Bangladesh

Sri Lanka surged ahead in the second Test against Bangladesh, finishing their first innings on 458 to take a big 211-run lead at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo on Day 3. Pathum Nissanka was the standout performer, scoring 158 off 254 balls. The right-hander anchored Sri Lanka’s innings from the top, striking 19 boundaries and frustrating the Bangladesh bowlers on a pitch that gradually offered more for the spinners. Before this hundred, Nissanka scored 187 in the first Test in Galle which ended in a draw.  Nissanka was well-supported by Dinesh Chandimal, who added 93 in a 194-run second-wicket stand, and later by Kusal Mendis, who scored a brisk 84 off just 87 deliveries to stretch Sri Lanka’s advantage. Despite losing a few wickets in clumps during the afternoon, the hosts maintained control of the match. For Bangladesh, left-arm spinner Taijul Islam led the bowling effort with a five-wicket haul (5 for 131), showing great discipline and patience across 42.5 overs. Colombo Test: Nissanka leads with 158 as Sri Lanka reaches 401-6 at lunch on Day 3 Nayeem Hasan chipped in with three wickets, but lacked consistency, while the pace attack looked largely ineffective as Ebadot Hossain and Nahid Rana both went wicketless across their extended spells. Earlier in the match, Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bat first but failed to capitalize. Shadman Islam top-scored with 46, and there were useful contributions from Mehidy Hasan Miraz (31), Taijul Islam (33), and Litton Das (34), but none of the batters could convert starts into a defining innings. Bangladesh were eventually dismissed for 247 inside 80 overs, with Asitha Fernando (3 for 51) and Sonal Dinusha (3 for 22) doing the bulk of the damage.

Facing uneven bounce and variable pace, Bangladesh were bundled out for 247 in the first innings of the Colombo Test against Sri Lanka on the second day morning. Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Bangladesh’s top and middle-order showed glimpses of resilience but failed to convert their starts into a commanding total. Anamul Haque Bijoy, who had earned a Test call scoring ample runs in domestic cricket, failed to produce anything impressive in this tour. In the first match, he failed to justify his place in the Bangladesh team; now, in the second match, he suffered a duck in the first innings. Other opener Shadman Islam led the scoring with a patient 46 off 93 deliveries, while Taijul Islam (33), Mushfiqur Rahim (35), Litton Das (34), and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (31) all chipped in without managing to anchor the innings. BCB to celebrate 25 years of Test status Thursday with special reception All these batters managed to get a good start facing the quality bowling attack of the hosts, but were disappointed to carry on. Bangladesh faced the early setback of losing Anamul for a duck, and following that, they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (8) fell cheaply after registering twin centuries in the series opener, while Mominul Haque contributed 21. At 76 for 4, Bangladesh were in a spot of bother, but small but effective partnerships between the middle and lower order helped them recover. Sonal Dinusha, playing in his debut Test, impressed with the ball, taking 3 for 22, including the key scalps of Mushfiqur and Taijul. Fast bowlers Asitha Fernando and Vishwa Fernando shared five wickets between them, consistently troubling the batters with movement and bounce. Both teams came to this match keeping a win in mind to seal the series.