Batters Dominate in Galle as Taijul Dismisses Udara

On Day 3 of the Galle Test, Sri Lanka reached 100 for 1 at lunch, still trailing Bangladesh by 395 runs in the first innings. Pathum Nissanka is unbeaten on 46, while Dinesh Chandimal remains not out on 22. Bangladesh’s only breakthrough in the session came through Taijul Islam.

Sri Lanka’s openers Pathum Nissanka and debutant Lahiru Udara made a cautious and steady start to their innings. Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto opened the bowling with Nahid Rana and Hasan Mahmud, but despite some movement and a few close calls, the bowlers couldn't break through early.

Shanto then brought in left-arm spinner Taijul Islam, and the move paid off. In the 13th over of the innings, Taijul drew first blood by dismissing Udara for 29, claiming the first wicket for Bangladesh.

Earlier in the morning, Bangladesh resumed their first innings on 484 for 9 at Galle International Stadium, with Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana both unbeaten on zero. However, the innings lasted only 11 more runs. Nahid Rana was dismissed by Asitha Fernando, ending the innings at 495 all out, just short of the 500-run mark. Hasan Mahmud remained not out on 7.

For Sri Lanka, Asitha Fernando was the most successful bowler in the first innings, claiming 4 wickets. Both Milan Rathnayake and Tharindu Rathnayake picked up 3 wickets each.