Pathum Nissanka pushed Sri Lanka back into contention on day three of their first Test against Bangladesh, and trail by 127 runs after halting the tourists' momentum.

Nissanka struck a career-best 187 to cut down Bangladesh's deficit, after the tourists were bowled out for 495 earlier in the day.

Sri Lanka had finished day two strongly and picked up where they left off, with Bangladesh only managing 11 more runs before Asitha Fernando (4-86) dismissed Nahid Rana within the first 15 minutes on Thursday.

Nissanka anchored Sri Lanka's play, scoring his knock off 256 balls. Lahiru Udara (29) was caught and bowled early on by Taijul Islam, but Dinesh Chandimal (54) entered the fray to get a 157-run partnership with Nissanka for the second wicket.

Angelo Matthews added 39 before Hasan Mahmud sent stumps flying to get the all-important wicket of Nissanka after he had helped the hosts to 331.

Sri Lanka made it to 368-4 by stumps in Galle on Thursday, with Kamindu Mendis (37 not out) and Dhananjaya de Silva (17 not out) looking to carry their momentum into Friday's play.

We end Day 3 on a strong 368/4, significantly closing the gap on Bangladesh's first innings total.#SLvBAN #WTC27 #GalleTest pic.twitter.com/R9r0WYZ3qx

— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) June 19, 2025

Data Debrief: Nissanka steals the show

Bangladesh had impressed, with two of their middle order getting tons in their innings, but Nissanka bettered both of their totals.

He scored his first century on home soil, and just his third overall, having previously reached those heights against England and the West Indies.

He plundered 23 fours and one maximum before being dismissed by Mahmud, falling just short of a maiden Test double hundred, having also scored one in ODIs.