Nayeem’s five-wicket haul gives Bangladesh a narrow first-innings lead

Bangladesh off-spinner Nayeem Hasan delivered a brilliant bowling performance on Day 4 in Galle, claiming five wickets to bowl Sri Lanka out for 485 and hand Bangladesh a narrow 10-run first-innings lead.

Sri Lanka began the day 127 runs behind with six wickets remaining, and Bangladesh faced a tough opening session. Kamindu Mendis (87) and Milan Ratnayake (39) added 79 valuable runs, reducing the deficit to just 30 runs by lunch with four wickets still intact.

However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the second session, thanks to Nayeem’s inspired spell. Hasan Mahmud broke the crucial partnership by bowling Milan, and then Nayeem struck twice in a single over — first dismissing Kamindu with a delivery that deflected off the glove to Litton Das, and then bowling debutant Tharindu Ratnayake for a duck.

Nayeem completed his fourth Test five-for — and his second against Sri Lanka — by bowling Asitha Fernando, finishing with figures of 5 for 121 in 43.2 overs. Notably, it was the 24-year-old’s first five-wicket haul in overseas conditions.

Despite the success, Bangladesh exhausted all three of their reviews during the innings, with the final unsuccessful appeal coming after an optimistic LBW review against Prabath Jayasuriya, which struck the thigh pad.

Earlier in the day, Nayeem also dismissed Sri Lanka skipper Dhananjaya de Silva (19), while Hasan Mahmud removed Kusal Mendis (5). Despite a few missed chances — including a dropped return catch by Taijul Islam off Milan — Bangladesh showed resilience to bowl out the hosts in 132 overs and gain a slim but valuable lead.