In a vintage display of left-arm spin, Prabath Jayasuriya bowled Sri Lanka to a crushing innings-and-78-run victory over Bangladesh on the fourth morning of the second Test in Colombo, handing the hosts a 1-0 series win and valuable World Test Championship points.
Sri Lanka required just 28 minutes and 34 deliveries on Saturday morning to complete formalities at the Sinhalese Sports Club. Jayasuriya, who had gone wicketless in the first innings, returned with a superb 5 for 56, his 12th five-wicket haul in Tests, as Bangladesh crumbled for 133.
Jayasuriya struck with just his third delivery of the day, drawing an edge from Litton Das who was caught behind by Kusal Mendis for 14. In his next over, Nayeem Hasan was stumped for five. The spinner then claimed his fifth wicket by diving to his right to pouch a return catch from Taijul Islam.
Tharindu Ratnayake removed Ebadot Hossain lbw in the following over to end Bangladesh’s resistance and seal Sri Lanka’s ninth Test victory by an innings against them.
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“Every spell matters in conditions like these,” Jayasuriya told official broadcasters. “It was a relief to find rhythm again, especially after a quiet match in Galle.”
Captain Dhananjaya de Silva and Ratnayake shared two wickets apiece, as spin accounted for nine of the ten second-innings wickets. Jayasuriya’s performance was all the more impressive considering his lack of impact earlier in the series.
Bangladesh had opted to bat after winning the toss, but unlike their first Test fightback in Galle, the visitors were bowled out for 247 in the first innings. In reply, Sri Lanka amassed 458, driven by Pathum Nissanka’s commanding 158 off 254 balls. Dinesh Chandimal’s 93 and a blistering 84 from Mendis ensured a daunting lead.
Set an improbable task to survive, Bangladesh were undone by a turning pitch and unrelenting Sri Lankan spin. Mushfiqur Rahim top-scored with 26, but the batting effort lacked the grit required to avoid an innings defeat.
The result handed Sri Lanka crucial points in the ongoing World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle and reaffirmed their dominance at home against subcontinental rivals.
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