A dream debut for Praveen Jayawickrama helped Sri Lanka restrict Bangladesh to 251/10, extending their first-innings lead to 259 runs at stumps.
Jayawickrama returned 6/92 – the best innings figures on Test debut for Sri Lanka, as Bangladesh were bundled out for 251 after Sri Lanka extended their total to 493/7 in the morning, before declaring their innings closed. Niroshan Dickwella’s quickfire 77 not out helped Sri Lanka approach the 500-run mark.
Bangladesh then bundled out thanks to Jayawickrama’s brilliant spell, before Sri Lanka opted not to enforce follow-on and went into stumps at 17/2.
In the morning, Bangladesh began their innings well, thanks to Tamim Iqbal’s counter-attacking 92. He brought up his fifty in just 57 deliveries – it was his fourth consecutive half-century in the format
At the cusp of lunch, the Sri Lankan spinners effected a double-blow on the visitors. Jayawickrama picking his maiden test wicket, inducing the edge from Saif Hassan (25), who was caught at slips. Ramesh Mendis dismissed the new man Najmul Hossain Shanto for duck in the very next over, and Bangladesh went to lunch for 99/2 in 27 overs.
After the break, Tamim joined forces with Mominul Haque to reorient Bangladesh’s innings. The duo amassed 52 runs in 98 balls for the third wicket, and they looked good for a lot more. However, it was young Jayawickrama who confounded them again. A change of angle from the left-arm spinner brought about natural variation off the pitch, Tamim erred and was caught at slips for a 150-ball 92.
Mushfiqur Rahim and Mominul paired up for a 63-run stand to resist, but Jayawickrama was back again to dimiss Rahim for 40 at the stroke of tea. The visitors increasingly struggled again spin, collapsing from 214/4 to 251 all out. With a lead of 242 runs and two whole days left in the game, Sri Lanka decided against enforcing the follow-on.
Coming out to bat in the second innings, the hosts lost two wickets in quick succession as Bangladesh employed spinners from the first over. Sri Lanka will commence day four with Dimuth Karunaratne (13*) and Angelo Mathews (1*) looking to add some important runs.
