Bangladesh clawed their way back into contention on Day 3 of the second Test against Sri Lanka, after the hosts resumed play in a dominant position at 290/2 with a lead of 43 runs at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo.
The visitors made crucial inroads in the morning session, picking up four wickets for 79 runs to gain some momentum heading into lunch. Taijul Islam led the charge with two wickets, while pacer Nahid Rana and off-spinner Nayeem Hasan chipped in with one apiece to put some pressure back on Sri Lanka.
Sensing an opportunity to capitalize on the morning’s breakthrough, Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto started the post-lunch session with Nahid Rana, relying on his short-pitched bowling strategy. Nayeem Hasan struck early as well, increasing hopes of running through Sri Lanka’s lower order swiftly. With the momentum swinging slightly in their favor, Bangladesh looked eager to end the innings quickly and get back to batting.
A dramatic moment unfolded in the 106th over when Nahid Rana bowled a sharp bouncer to Kusal Mendis, who had looked comfortable up to that point. The well-set batter attempted a hook shot but failed to control it, sending the ball spiraling toward fine leg. Ebadot Hossain was stationed there and moved toward the ball, seemingly confident of taking the catch.
However, just as it looked like a breakthrough was on the cards, Ebadot hesitated and decided not to fully commit, believing he wouldn’t reach it in time. He managed to stop the ball from reaching the boundary but couldn’t convert it into a wicket. It was a missed opportunity that drew an immediate reaction from Nahid, who was visibly frustrated with the effort, letting out an angry shout in disappointment.
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Skipper Shanto’s cold glare toward Ebadot suggested that the team expected more in that moment, especially given the intensity of the contest. While fans on social media sympathized with Nahid, appreciating his relentless energy in testing conditions, many also felt Ebadot’s caution was understandable. The moment reflected the fine margins in Test cricket, where every half-chance counts, and also the emotional toll of missed opportunities in a closely fought match.