Bangladesh take control after dramatic turn on Day 4 in Galle
Shanto remained not out on 56, while Mushfiqur was unbeaten on 20.
What seemed like a batting paradise for the first three days took a dramatic turn after the lunch break on day four, catching even Bangladesh's pace bowling coach Shaun Tait by surprise. The once-flat Galle wicket suddenly began to challenge batters, with seven wickets falling in the final two sessions. If the pitch and weather conditions remain unchanged, an exciting finish is on the cards on the final day.
Bangladesh, holding a 10-run lead going into their second innings, reached 177 for 3 by stumps on day four, stretching their overall lead to 187 runs. The third session saw visible signs of deterioration, with dust coming off the surface and the batters facing significant challenges.
Despite the tougher conditions, half-centuries from Shadman Islam and Najmul Hossain Shanto helped put Bangladesh in a strong position. The pair added 68 runs for the third wicket, after which Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim began building another significant partnership, putting on an unbeaten 49 runs for the fourth wicket. Shanto remained not out on 56, while Mushfiqur was unbeaten on 20.
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Earlier in the innings, opener Anamul Haque Bijoy once again failed to deliver, scoring just 4 off 14 balls after a duck in the first innings. His fellow opener, Shadman, added 36 runs with Mominul Haque for the second wicket. Mominul, like in the first innings, got settled before throwing his wicket away with a sweep shot, managing 14 off 40 deliveries.
Shadman, who looked in good touch, reached his sixth Test fifty and went on to score 76 off 126 balls with seven boundaries before getting out. Shanto continued the momentum and brought up his sixth Test half-century as well.
Among the Sri Lankan bowlers, Prabath Jayasuriya, Tarindu Ratnayake, and Milan Ratnayake claimed one wicket each.
Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka were firmly in the lead and looked poised to overtake Bangladesh's first-innings total with ease. Resuming the morning session on 465 for 6, with Kamindu Mendis and Milan Ratnayake at the crease, they reached the break with their advantage intact. However, a post-lunch collapse saw them lose their last four wickets for just 20 runs, getting bowled out for 485—falling short by 10 runs. Off-spinner Nayeem Hasan was the star for Bangladesh, picking up five wickets.
