Colombo: Sri Lanka crushed Bangladesh by an innings and 78 runs in the second Test on Saturday in Colombo, sealing a 1-0 series victory before lunch on day four. Bangladesh, starting at a shaky 115-6 and still 97 runs behind, collapsed to just 133. Left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya struck with the fifth ball of the morning, removing Litton Das for 14 and triggering a rapid downfall.
It was a commanding all-round show by Sri Lanka, who earned valuable points in the World Test Championship. No Bangladeshi batter managed a half-century, marking a stark contrast from the drawn first Test in Galle, where captain Najmul Hossain Shanto hit twin tons. Bangladesh had opted to bat first on a flat pitch but faltered, scoring only 247.
Sri Lanka responded with a massive 458, led by Pathum Nissanka’s fluent 158—his second century of the series—and Dinesh Chandimal’s classy 93. Their 194-run second-wicket stand put Sri Lanka in complete control. Bangladesh took three wickets with the second new ball, but Kusal Mendis’s aggressive 84 restored momentum.
Nissanka was named man of the match and expressed pride in his new senior role. Bangladesh skipper Shanto admitted the team underperformed, especially in the first innings. He praised his bowlers for fighting hard despite the odds. The teams will now focus on the white-ball series, featuring three ODIs and three T20s.
