Sri Lanka Aims for Dominant Lead as Mendis Predicts Spin to Dictate Final Test Days

Sri Lanka Eyes Commanding Lead After Dominating Day 2 Against Bangladesh

Kusal Mendis, the Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter, expressed confidence that a lead of 150-200 runs would position his team favorably as spin is anticipated to heavily influence the final two days of the second Test match.

Mendis credited Nissanka for his brilliant batting display © AFP

Sri Lanka concluded Day 2 with a score of 290/2, securing a 43-run lead in the first innings, largely due to Pathum Nissanka's impressive unbeaten 146 and Dinesh Chandimal's 93.

"We are in a very good position and tomorrow we have to bat the whole day. We will try to get a lead of 150 to 200. We hope the wicket will spin on the final two days," Kusal Mendis stated following the day's play.

He further elaborated on their strategy, "We're planning to score as much as possible - get something over 400. Hopefully, we can do that tomorrow."

Mendis also noted the changing pitch conditions, "The grass has dried out, footmarks are forming, and I expect it to turn more. We are not looking to bat in the fourth innings. We want to bat deep now and put them under pressure."

The wicketkeeper-batter lauded Nissanka for his exceptional batting performance and acknowledged the efforts of the Sri Lankan pacers in dismissing their opponents for under 250 runs.

"He (Pathum) has been a treat to watch. He batted so well. Even in the last series, he was amongst the runs. It was a shame he missed out on a double hundred in Galle - I hope he gets there here. He has been our in-form batter in all three formats. He works hard on his game, and that's clearly visible."

Mendis commended the discipline of the fast bowlers, saying, "What we planned, the quicks executed. They were disciplined with their lengths and lines. On a pitch with not much pace, that's exactly what you need - not just with the new ball, but with the old ball too. That's the best I have seen our fast bowlers bowl in Sri Lanka."

He added, "We knew the wicket would slow down and turn. Our fast bowlers were outstanding, and they deserve a lot of credit. I believe as we head into Day Four, conditions will be very different to what we've seen so far."

Meanwhile, Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons attributed their struggles to the batting unit's inability to form substantial partnerships, adding that the pitch conditions changed significantly during the second innings.

"Where we missed a trick was not building big partnerships yesterday and as a result we went into today with only two or three wickets in hand."

Simmons emphasized the importance of building partnerships, "It comes back to our batting and the partnerships we failed to build. At least two or three guys should have carried on yesterday and gotten big scores. I hope we've taken note of how well Nissanka batted, and that we come out in the second innings aiming for big runs."

He concluded, "The wicket definitely improved as on the first day, it was a bit sticky and two-paced. Today, it got a lot better, and we saw how easy it was for the batters. There wasn't as much turn as yesterday, and the batters batted well. That's what Test cricket is about sometimes."