We need to get a lead of around 200-250 to put pressure on BD – Nissanka

Friday, 20 June 2025 00:08 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Centurion Pathum Nissanka speaking to media at the end of the day

Centurion Pathum Nissanka is of the view that if Sri Lanka are to make a game of the first Test against Bangladesh, they will need to bat well the entire fourth day today and get a lead of around 200-250.

“If we can do that, we have the entire final day to press for a win. The wicket is flat that is why Bangladesh also got runs. It is slow and the turn is not sharp, by tomorrow evening it could start to turn, so we have that advantage,” said Nissanka at the end of the third day at Galle.

Sri Lanka currently trails Bangladesh by 127 runs with six wickets in hand.

It was Nissanka’s career best innings of 187 that enabled Sri Lanka to end the third day on 368-4.

“I am happy to score my first Test hundred at home. Disappointed that I could not get to my double hundred. But it’s not something to worry about because there is another Test coming up. I am focused on getting runs in that game,” said Nissanka.

“Coming into this series we had set ourselves a target of upping our run rate. I think we did it successfully here. We hope to continue doing it. To win Tests we have to maintain a high run rate I was able to apply that here. Playing white ball cricket also helped and the wicket is good for batting.” Nissanka said that he was privileged to play in Angelo Mathews’ final Test match. “Very happy to play alongside a legend like Angie. I wish him well in the future.”

The view from the Bangladesh camp is that the Galle surface is still a good batting track.

“I think the wicket is pretty good. It has stayed similar. It hasn’t changed a great deal. Today was a good batting day, we saw that,” said Bangladesh’s fast bowling coach Shaun Tait.

“It probably hasn’t spun as much as maybe people thought it would on the third day. Normally, Galle starts to turn a bit more. It turned a little but nothing significant. There’s still a couple of days left. Test cricket can change pretty quickly. There’s hard work to be done.”

On Sri Lanka’s response to Bangladesh’s big first innings total, Tait said, “I think they batted really well. Sri Lanka are no pushovers. This is the team that was competing for the WTC final. They are a good side with good batters. Our pacers missed a trick with the new ball. It would have been nice if they took a couple of wickets with it.” (ST)

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