Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh, 2nd Test Day 2 Highlights: Pathum Nissanka Keeps Sri Lanka In Command

Bangladesh faces a tough challenge, trailing by 211 runs and needing to overcome this deficit to set a competitive target in the fourth innings. Shadman and Anamul are set to open for Bangladesh, while Asitha will bowl the first over. Bangladesh will need to bat brilliantly to get back into the game. Let's see how their opening pair fares against the host's bowling attack

...THIRD INNINGS...

Sri Lanka lost the middle order with very little contribution but Kamindu Mendis and Kusal Mendis joined hands to get the innings back on track. Kamindu Mendis fell to Nayeem Hasan after his little cameo of 33 runs but Kusal Mendis held fort from one end and played wonderfully to get his team's lead over 200. Bangladesh will be happy with how they have performed however, they are still well behind in the game. They need a good start, they need their openers to see off the session without losing their wickets. The pitch is not easy, Sri Lanka will come hard as they have momentum on their side. Stay tuned for the third innings.

So, Sri Lanka take a massive lead of 211 runs. They have one man to thank, the top order played a huge part but it was Kusal Mendis' innings that separated the two teams right now. Sri Lanka were coming into Day 3 with a lot of comfort. They had set, Pathum Nissanka batting unbeaten on 146 and plenty of batting left to help the cause. He went past his 150 however, once Bangladesh opted for the new ball, they claimed three wickets in the first hour.

OUT! GONE! Five-fer for Taijul Islam! Floated full and on middle, Asitha Fernando tries to hit over mid on but toe-ends his shot and Shadman Islam takes it with a leap. Sri Lanka have been bowled out for 458.

Fuller ball, around off, Asitha Fernando defends close to his pads.

Flatter delivery on off. Asitha Fernando defends it out.

Tossed up on middle, Asitha Fernando blocks.

OUT! RUN OUT! Bangladesh gets Kusal Mendis! Big, big wicket. Short and outside off, Mendis slaps it through covers and calls for two to keep the strike. Ebadot Hossain picks up and fires in at the keeper's end, where Litton Das breaks the stumps in a flash. Kusal Mendis is well short despite a desperate dive. It looks like he has also hurt himself with that dive as the physio comes in to check on him. Mendis trudges back after a fantastic 84 off 87!

Kusal Mendis looks in pain as he dives to get inside the crease. He slowly stands up and makes the long walk.

The one that comes with the arm, on off, it is blocked.

Slants it full, outside off and it spins away. Vishwa Fernando prods to block but gets beaten.

Tossed up angling on middle, Vishwa Fernando punches it to mid on.

Angles it full and on middle, blocked out.

Tossed up on off, turns away. Vishwa Fernando leans to defend but is well beaten.

Shorter and stays low as it lands outside off, Mendis pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

DRINKS! Kusal Mendis stands between Bangladesh and a potential big lead. He is playing a blinder so far and if he plays till the end of the session, we are afraid to say Bangladesh will be looking around a score around 300 which could be heart-wrenching on this pitch. They have to find a way to get the wicket of Mendis before this session ends.

Floated full on middle, Vishwa Fernando gets behind the line and blocks.

Shorter and outside off, this is punched to covers for a single.

FOUR! STREAKY! Hasan bowls wide of off. Mendis throws his bat at it and bottom edges it past the keeper, through his legs and into the fence.