PAK vs SL 1st Test Day 3: De Silva and Mendis Centuries Steer Sri Lanka to 404/4 in Rawalpindi

RAWALPINDI: Sri Lanka seized complete control of the opening Test against Pakistan, riding on magnificent unbeaten centuries from Dhananjaya de Silva and captain Kusal Mendis to reach 404 for four at stumps on PAK vs SL 1st Test day 3. 

Before fading light forced an early close at 4:15 PM local time, the visitors had erased almost the entire first-innings deficit, trailing Pakistan’s declared total of 434 for nine by just 30 runs.

Resuming from day 2 score of 114 for three and still 320 runs adrift, Sri Lanka weathered an early examination from Pakistan’s seamers. Pacer Mohammad Abbas provided the hosts with their sole breakthrough of the day when he angled a delivery across Kamindu Mendis, inducing an outside edge to wicketkeeper Ghazi Ghori on 58. That dismissal ended a resilient 90-run fourth-wicket stand and left Sri Lanka at 155 for four.

However, Pakistan’s hopes of triggering a middle-order collapse were quickly extinguished. Former skipper Dhananjaya de Silva, who survived a critical dropped catch by Saud Shakeel at first slip on 38, anchored the recovery with poise and authority. Reaching his 14th Test century with an assured boundary off left-arm spinner Arafat Minhas, De Silva’s century shifted the momentum decisively in Sri Lanka’s favor. 

By the close of play, he had amassed a stunning 167 not out off 241 deliveries, laced with 20 boundaries.

At the other end, Kusal Mendis celebrated his maiden Test assignment as captain in style. Joining De Silva in the morning session, Mendis initially focused on rotating the strike before accelerating sharply after lunch. He targeted Pakistan’s inexperienced bowling lineup, using his feet against the spinners and dispatching loose deliveries to all parts of the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. 

Kusal Mendis' century arrived in the final session, his 11th in Test cricket, as he finished unbeaten on 117 from 188 balls, striking 10 fours and four sixes.

Together, the outgoing and incoming captains stitched together an unbroken 249-run partnership off 360 deliveries across 60 overs. Babar Azam rotated his bowlers tirelessly, including debutants Saqib Khan (2 for 105) and Arafat Minhas alongside Razaullah (0 for 127), yet even the second new ball at the 80-over mark failed to yield a wicket on a flattening surface.

With six wickets intact and a massive first-innings lead firmly within reach, Sri Lanka enters the fourth morning in a dominant position to dictate terms in the series opener.

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