Sri Lanka closed in on victory against Bangladesh after dominating day three of their second Test.

Bangladesh ended the day 115-6 in their second innings, 96 runs behind Sri Lanka after the hosts put on a clinical spin-bowling display.

Sri Lanka started the day with the bat, with Pathum Nissanka (158) adding just 12 runs to his overnight score before being dismissed by Taijul Islam (5-131).

Bangladesh gained some much-needed momentum from that wicket, but Kusal Mendis (84) produced a brilliant counter-attacking display to get Sri Lanka to a total of 458.

With a healthy lead of 211 at the halfway mark, Sri Lanka's bowlers continued their domination from the first innings.

Captain Dhananjaya de Silva (2-13) and Prabath Jayasuriya (2-47) removed danger men Najmul Hossain Shanto (19) and Mushfiqur Rahim (26), respectively, before Tharindu Rathnayake (1-10) trapped Mehidy Hasan Miraz (11) lbw with the final ball of the day.

Sri Lanka will be expected to secure victory on day four in Colombo as they look for their first win of the new World Test Championship cycle.

Sri Lanka tighten the grip!  Bangladesh end Day 3 on 115/6, still trailing by 96 runs #SriLankaCricket #SLvsBAN pic.twitter.com/mXNlAStCTQ

— Sri Lanka Cricket  (@OfficialSLC) June 27, 2025

Data Debrief: Spin to win in Colombo

After the seamers dominated day one, it was the spinners who got the job done on days two and three.

Taijul bagged his 17th five-wicket haul, and his second against Sri Lanka, as he removed three of the hosts' top five batting order.

Meanwhile, Dhananjaya, Jayasuriya and Rathnayake took five of Sri Lanka's six wickets in Bangladesh's second innings, with the pitch providing more opportunities for the spin options.