Mendis Counter-Attacks, Then Spinners Strike as Bangladesh Collapse
Sri Lanka took a commanding grip on the second Test after Kusal Mendis’s explosive 84 off 87 balls extended their first-innings lead to 211 runs. The hosts then unleashed their spin attack on a turning pitch, reducing Bangladesh to 115 for 6 at stumps on day three, still trailing by 96 runs.
The match has swung decisively in Sri Lanka’s favor, with Bangladesh staring at a potential innings defeat. Prabath Jayasuriya and Dhananjaya de Silva shared four wickets between them as the visitors’ batting lineup crumbled under pressure.
Mendis Leads Counter-Attack
The morning session began promisingly for Bangladesh when Taijul Islam claimed his fifth wicket, removing Pathum Nissanka for a magnificent 158. The left-arm spinner had earlier dismissed Dhananjaya de Silva, giving the visitors hope of restricting Sri Lanka’s lead.
However, Kusal Mendis had other plans. The wicketkeeper-batsman launched a fierce counter-attack, racing to his half-century in quick time. His aggressive approach unsettled the Bangladesh bowlers, who struggled to contain the flow of runs.
Mendis found able support from the tail-enders, particularly Tharindu Ratnayake, who announced himself in Test cricket with a six off his very first ball. The partnership frustrated Bangladesh as Sri Lanka’s lead ballooned past 200.
The innings ended when Mendis fell for 84, run out attempting a risky second run. Taijul finished with figures of 5-131, but Bangladesh’s bowlers had conceded a massive first-innings deficit that would prove insurmountable.
Spinners Trigger Collapse
With the pitch offering increasing turn and variable bounce, Sri Lanka’s spinners went to work immediately. The collapse began just before tea when Anamul Haque mistimed a pull shot, giving Sri Lanka the breakthrough they needed.
Post-tea, Jayasuriya wreaked havoc with his left-arm spin. Shadman Islam edged to the wicketkeeper off just the second ball after the break. The spinner’s ability to extract sharp turn and get the ball to go straight troubled the Bangladesh batsmen throughout.
Dhananjaya de Silva proved equally effective, removing both Mominul Haque and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto in quick succession. The off-spinner exploited the natural variation perfectly, with Shanto bowled through the gate by a delivery that didn’t turn.
As shadows lengthened across the SSC ground, Sri Lanka struck twice more. Jayasuriya found extra turn to clip Mushfiqur Rahim’s off stump, before Ratnayake trapped Mehidy Hasan Miraz lbw with the final ball of the day.
Bangladesh now face an uphill battle to avoid an innings defeat. With only four wickets remaining and still 96 runs behind, they’ll need something special on day four to keep the series alive. For Sri Lanka, victory seems just a matter of time as they close in on a series-clinching win.
