Summary Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis hit centuries as Sri Lanka reach 404-4 against Pakistan on the third day of the Rawalpindi Test.
RAWALPINDI (Dunya News) – Sri Lanka produced a strong batting comeback on the third day of the opening Test against Pakistan, reaching 404-4 at stumps at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
The visitors were only 30 runs behind Pakistan's first-innings total of 434-9 declared when bad light brought an early end to the day's proceedings. Dhananjaya de Silva led the recovery with an unbeaten 167, while captain Kusal Mendis remained not out on 117.
The pair put Sri Lanka in a commanding position after Pakistan's bowlers had made early inroads into the visitors' batting line-up on the second day. Their centuries also helped Sri Lanka recover from the loss of three early wickets and build a substantial partnership in the middle order.
Kamindu Mendis contributed 58 runs before falling, while Lahiru Udara made 42. Pakistan's Mohammad Abbas and debutant Saqib Khan claimed two wickets each.
De Silva and Kusal Mendis provided the backbone of Sri Lanka's recovery after Pakistan had reduced them to 65-3 on the second day.
The pair showed patience and attacking intent to keep the Pakistani bowlers at bay, steadily reducing the first-innings deficit. De Silva, who had resumed his innings on 22 not out, went on to register a commanding century, while Mendis also converted his contribution into three figures.
Earlier in the day, Kamindu Mendis reached 58 before Mohammad Abbas dismissed him, ending a valuable fourth-wicket partnership with De Silva. The left-hander struck eight boundaries in his 131-ball innings.
Lahiru Udara had earlier contributed 42, while Pakistan's Saqib Khan made an impact on his Test debut by claiming two wickets. Mohammad Abbas also finished with two dismissals, keeping Pakistan in the contest despite Sri Lanka's recovery.
Bad light eventually interrupted proceedings, preventing the teams from completing the scheduled day's play. Sri Lanka ended the third day just 30 runs short of Pakistan's first-innings score.
Pakistan had declared their first innings at 434-9 on the second day after a series of useful contributions from their batting line-up.
Saud Shakeel top-scored with 93, narrowly missing out on a century, while debutant Arafat Minhas impressed with 52. Mohammad Tayyab Arif and Mohammad Taha also scored half-centuries, making 57 and 51 respectively.
Former captain Babar Azam contributed 50, while wicketkeeper-batter Ghazi Ghori added 48. The contributions from the middle and lower order helped Pakistan cross the 400-run mark.
Sri Lanka's Asitha Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka claimed three wickets each, while Milan Rathnayake and Sonal Dinusha picked up one apiece.
The opening Test also marked the international debuts of four Pakistan players: Tayyab Arif, Mohammad Taha, Arafat Minhas and Saqib Khan.
Pakistan will now look to make early breakthroughs when play resumes on the fourth day, while Sri Lanka will aim to surpass the hosts' total and establish a first-innings lead.
