Kusal Mendis, Bowlers Put Sri Lanka on Brink of Victory

Sri Lanka dominated the second Test match at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, claiming a 211-run lead before reducing Bangladesh to 115/6.

Pathum Nissanka scored 158, and Kusal Mendis added 84 in a swashbuckling innings. The hosts then restricted Bangladesh to 115/6, with the visitors still trailing by 96 runs and only four wickets in hand.

Nissanka quickly moved to 150, but was removed by Taijul Islam. The left-arm spinner also picked up captain Dhananjaya de Silva in his next over. Kamindu Mendis pounced on the loose Bangladesh pacers, scoring four boundaries in quick succession.

Kusal and Kamindu had a 51-run stand, but Nayeem Hasan breached Kamindu's defence on 33. Sonal Dinusha was caught behind, and Tharindu Rathanyake holed out to long-on soon after. Kusal then took on Nayeem with two sixes and a four, but was run out on 84.

Taijul wrapped up the innings, picking up a five-fer and dismissing Asitha Fernando for a duck. Bangladesh openers Shadman Islam and Anamul Haque were positive, but Asitha picked up the key wicket of Anamul.

Shadman poked one behind to the 'keeper, and Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque tried to play the survival game. De Silva then brought himself on and picked up Mominul and Najmul. Mushfiqur Rahim was bowled by Jayasuriya, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz was given LBW on the last ball of the day.

Brief Scores:
Bangladesh 247 & 115/6 trail Sri Lanka 458 by 96 runs.