Nissanka Misses Double Century, Sri Lanka Trail by 127 on Day 3

Pathum Nissanka was heading toward his maiden double century on home soil, but Hasan Mahmud had other plans. A brilliant delivery from the right-arm seamer bowled Nissanka for 187, halting Sri Lanka's charge just before stumps on Day 3 of the Galle Test.

Sri Lanka closed the day at 368/4, still trailing Bangladesh by 127 runs with six wickets in hand. Nissanka’s classy knock included 21 boundaries, anchoring the innings after an early setback.

Earlier in the day, Bangladesh resumed from their overnight score of 484/9 and managed just 11 more runs before being bowled out for 495, with Asitha Fernando claiming the final wicket of Nahid Rana.

Sri Lanka’s innings got off to a rocky start as debutant Lahiru Udara, who looked to bat with ODI intent, fell for 29 off 34 balls, giving a return catch to Taijul Islam. However, Nissanka found solid company in Dinesh Chandimal, who scored a half-century and built a 157-run partnership with him.

Naim Hasan provided the breakthrough by removing Chandimal, offering Bangladesh a much-needed sigh of relief. In walked Angelo Mathews, playing his farewell Test, but the veteran could only manage 39 runs before Mominul Haque dismissed him.

Despite the loss of partners, Nissanka continued to dominate the Bangladesh attack and reached his third Test century in style. However, his quest for a double century ended at 187, bowled by Hasan Mahmud late in the day.

At stumps, Kamindu Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva remained unbeaten, and Sri Lanka will look to erase the deficit and push for a lead on Day 4.