Colombo, June 27 — The second Test of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh has reached a critical juncture at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo. After three absorbing days of cricket, the hosts are just four wickets away from sealing a commanding victory, while Bangladesh trails by 96 runs with only four wickets in hand in their second innings.
At stumps on Day 3, Bangladesh stood at 115 for 6 in 38.4 overs, still facing a steep task to avoid defeat. Wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das remained unbeaten on 13, trying to hold the innings together. Sri Lanka’s bowlers, led by Prabath Jayasuriya and captain Dhananjaya de Silva, both of whom claimed two wickets apiece, kept the visitors under immense pressure throughout the day.
Sri Lanka’s Commanding First Innings Response
After electing to bat first, Bangladesh posted a modest 247 runs in their first innings. Sri Lanka replied in grand fashion, amassing 458 runs before being bowled out in 116.5 overs. The highlight of the innings was a magnificent 158-run knock from opener Pathum Nissanka, who batted with immense control and composure. His innings came off 254 balls and included 19 boundaries.
Nissanka found valuable support from Dinesh Chandimal (93) and Kusal Mendis (84), as the trio dominated the Bangladesh bowling attack. The innings ensured a massive 211-run first-innings lead for Sri Lanka, which put them in the driver’s seat for the remainder of the Test.
For Bangladesh, left-arm spinner Taijul Islam was the standout, picking up five wickets, while Nayeem Hasan contributed with three dismissals.
Bangladesh’s First Innings: No Fifty, No Stability
Earlier in the match, Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bat first but failed to convert starts into big scores. None of their batters managed to score a half-century. Opener Shadman Islam top-scored with 46, while Mushfiqur Rahim (35), Liton Das (34), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (31), and Nayeem Hasan (25) added useful runs but failed to capitalize.
Tailender Taijul Islam (33) played a crucial knock late in the innings to help the team cross the 240-run mark. However, the score of 247 all out was clearly below par on a batting-friendly pitch.
For Sri Lanka, Sonal Dinusha and Asitha Fernando bagged three wickets each, while Vishwa Fernando, Dhananjaya de Silva, and Tharindu Ratnayake chipped in with one or two wickets apiece.
Bangladesh in Trouble: Second Innings Collapse
Facing a massive deficit, Bangladesh began their second innings under immense pressure. Their top and middle-order failed to cope with Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling attack. With only 115 runs on the board and six wickets down, the visitors now find themselves staring at a likely defeat on Day 4.
While Litton Das holds one end, the lack of support from the other batters makes Bangladesh’s chances slim. The only ray of hope lies in forcing Sri Lanka to bat again by erasing the first-innings deficit and building a lead.
Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, who had led confidently in the first Test, will hope for some resilience from the lower order.
What’s at Stake on Day 4?
As the match heads into Day 4, all eyes will be on whether Bangladesh can pull off a miracle to avoid defeat or if Sri Lanka wraps up the game without the need for a fourth-innings chase. With the series currently tied 0-0 after the first Test ended in a draw, a win here will hand either side a significant early advantage in the World Test Championship 2025-27 standings.
The game has been a complete performance from Sri Lanka so far, showcasing solid batting depth and disciplined bowling. Meanwhile, Bangladesh will reflect on missed opportunities and underwhelming partnerships.
Key Highlights So Far:
- Pathum Nissanka’s 158 anchors Sri Lanka’s 458-run total
- Dinesh Chandimal (93) and Kusal Mendis (84) shine in the middle order
- Taijul Islam picks up 5 wickets in Sri Lanka’s first innings
- Bangladesh fails to cross 250 in first innings; no half-century from any batter
- Litton Das (34 & 13)* shows some resistance in both innings
- Sri Lanka needs just 4 wickets to seal victory on Day 4
Unless Bangladesh can produce a resilient fightback, this Test seems firmly in Sri Lanka’s grasp. Their combination of patient batting, strategic captaincy by Dhananjaya de Silva, and sharp bowling has put them on the cusp of a memorable home win. All eyes now turn to the fourth day in Colombo, where the fate of this gripping Test will be decided.
