Angelo Mathews received a respectful send-off in his final Test match as Bangladesh players lined up with caps off to give him a guard of honor on Day 3 of the Galle Test.
The veteran Sri Lankan, often a thorn for Bangladesh, entered the field quietly, his emotions barely hidden. As he entered, Mushfiqur, Shanto, and Liton stood still, offering a silent tribute.
In a rivalry often marked by tension, this was a rare and respectful gesture.
Sri Lanka turns the tide
Mathews’ final innings came on a day when Sri Lanka began to fight back.
After being dominated for much of the first two days, the hosts mounted a strong reply to Bangladesh’s 495-run first innings.
With attacking intent, Nissanka and Udara put on 47 runs in just 12 overs. It looked more like an ODI than a Test match.
Bangladesh spinner Taijul Islam gave the visitors their first breakthrough in the 13th over. He dismissed Udara by catching a return off his own bowling. Still, Sri Lanka pressed on.
Nissanka continued steadily, rotating strike and holding one end. At the other, Dinesh Chandimal came in and found rhythm quickly.
By lunch, Sri Lanka had reached 100 for 1. Nissanka was on 46, while Chandimal looked settled.
Nissanka, Chandimal dominate post-lunch
After the break, the pair took control. Their stand crossed 150, piling pressure on the frustrated Bangladeshi bowlers.
Nissanka reached a well-paced century. Chandimal supported with a strong half-century.
The partnership came off just 205 deliveries.
Compared to Bangladesh’s first innings scoring rate of 3.22 runs per over, Sri Lanka accelerated early, crossing four runs per over in the first 50 overs.
It was a complete shift in momentum.
Late breakthrough, but pressure remains
Naim Hasan finally broke through late in the day, dismissing Chandimal with a clever delivery that was caught at leg slip. But the damage had been done.
Sri Lanka looked ready to push past Bangladesh’s total, or at least get close enough to remove pressure from their second innings.
A rare double-right opening
Interestingly, Sri Lanka opened the innings with two right-handers — Udara and Nissanka — something they hadn’t done in nearly three decades.
Bangladesh’s missed chance
Earlier in the day, Bangladesh resumed on 484 for 9. They added just 11 more runs before being bowled out.
With a first-innings total of 495, they had hoped to stay on top. But Sri Lanka’s strong response has left the match wide open.
With Mathews playing his final Test and emotions running high, Day 4 promises to be decisive.
