Bangladesh on the brink of an innings defeat as Sri Lanka dominate second Test in Colombo

Sri Lanka are playing with great dominance in the second Test in Colombo, leaving Bangladesh looking quite helpless. The match has reached a stage where it would come as no surprise if Najmul Hossain Shanto's side ends up losing by an innings.

After the first Test in Galle ended in a draw, the second Test in Colombo has become the series decider. Bangladesh now find themselves on the edge of a precipice in this crucial match. In their second innings, they lost six wickets for 115 runs and still trail by 96 runs.

Bangladesh began their second innings strongly, with Anamul Haq Bijoy scoring 17 runs off his first 11 balls. However, in his aggressive approach, he seemed to forget that this is red-ball cricket, not white-ball. On the fifth ball of the seventh over, Asitha Fernando delivered a short ball which Bijoy attempted to pull, but the lofted shot was caught easily by the Sri Lankan substitute fielder Pavan Rathnayake at short leg.

Bijoy was dismissed for 19 off 19 balls, including 2 fours and 1 six, leaving Bangladesh at 31 for 1 in 6.5 overs. The opening partnership was broken just before the tea break. When play resumed after tea, Mominul Haque came to the crease, only for Bangladesh to lose another wicket quickly. On the second ball of the eighth over, Sadman Islam (12) was dismissed by Prabath Jayasuriya.

With both openers Bijoy and Sadman gone, Bangladesh's score stood at 31 for 2 after 7.2 overs.

Sri Lanka had resumed the third day of their first innings at 290 for 2 after 78 overs. During the day's first session, the hosts lost wickets at regular intervals but kept the run rate ticking. They ended the first session of the day at 401 for 6 after 103 overs. Before lunch, Taijul Islam took two wickets, while Nahid Rana and Naeem Hasan claimed one wicket each. In the final session, Sri Lanka batted for 83 balls and were eventually all out for 458 in 116.5 overs.

Pathum Nissanka top scored with 158 runs, while Dinesh Chandimal added 93. Kusal Mendis contributed 84 runs off 87 balls, including 8 fours and 2 sixes. Bangladesh's left-arm spinner Taijul Islam bowled 42.5 overs, conceding 131 runs and taking 5 wickets. He bowled 4 maiden overs. Naeem Hasan took 3 wickets and Nahid Rana claimed 1. Among the Sri Lankan batsmen, only Kusal Mendis was run out. Attempting to avoid this run out, he dived and injured his right shoulder.