Sri Lanka have taken firm control of the second Test match against Bangladesh in the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle, after a commanding batting performance on Day 2 at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) in Colombo. At stumps, the hosts reached 290/2, securing a 43-run first-innings lead, with opener Pathum Nissanka standing tall on 146 off 238 balls*, a knock studded with 18 boundaries.
Earlier, Bangladesh, after winning the toss and choosing to bat, managed to post 247 runs in their first innings. While several batters got starts, none managed to reach a half-century, which ultimately led to a below-par total against a disciplined Sri Lankan bowling unit.
Day 2 Highlights: Sri Lanka Take Charge
It was all about Pathum Nissanka on Day 2. The elegant right-handed opener played with remarkable composure and technique, anchoring the innings from the start. He shared a vital 88-run opening partnership with Lahiru Udara, who contributed 40 runs before falling.
Nissanka’s most substantial partnership came with veteran batter Dinesh Chandimal, with whom he stitched together a massive 194-run stand for the second wicket. Chandimal fell agonizingly short of a century, dismissed for 93 off 153 deliveries, hitting 10 fours and a six during his innings.
By the end of the day, Prabath Jayasuriya joined Nissanka at the crease, unbeaten on 5, as Sri Lanka ended the day in a dominant position with eight wickets in hand and a lead already secured.
Bangladesh’s Bowling Falters
Bangladesh’s bowling attack failed to make early inroads, and only Taijul Islam and Nayeem Hasan managed to pick up a wicket each. Taijul bowled tirelessly for 32 overs, conceding 90 runs for one wicket, while Nayeem got the important breakthrough of Chandimal, caught by wicketkeeper Litton Das.
However, the rest of the attack – Ebadot Hossain, Nahid Rana, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz – couldn’t make much of an impact, allowing Sri Lanka to score freely throughout the day.
Bangladesh’s First Innings Recap
Batting first, Bangladesh were bowled out for 247 in 79.3 overs. The innings saw useful contributions from several batters but lacked a significant knock to steer the team to a bigger score. Shadman Islam (46), Mushfiqur Rahim (35), Litton Das (34), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (31), Nayeem Hasan (25), and Taijul Islam (33) all got starts but failed to convert them into big scores.
Anamul Haque fell for a duck, and skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto also struggled, adding just 8 runs. The batting order’s inability to convert starts into substantial scores hurt Bangladesh’s chances of setting a challenging total.
Sri Lanka’s Bowling Performance
Sri Lanka bowled with purpose and shared the wickets effectively. Sonal Dinusha and Asitha Fernando claimed three wickets each, troubling the middle and lower order with their variations. Vishwa Fernando chipped in with two wickets, while Tharindu Rathnayake and captain Dhananjaya de Silva bagged one apiece.
The bowlers maintained discipline and were backed by sharp fielding, which helped keep Bangladesh below 250.
With Sri Lanka already leading by 43 runs and eight wickets in hand, they will look to extend their advantage on Day 3 and bat Bangladesh out of the game. On the other hand, Bangladesh’s bowlers must strike early on the third day if they want to claw back into the match and the series.
This Test is the final match of the two-Test series, with Sri Lanka already leading. A win here would give them a clean sweep and crucial WTC points.
