Rawalpindi, November 11, 2026: Dhananjaya de Silva and captain Kusal Mendis struck commanding centuries to put Sri Lanka in a strong position against Pakistan on the third day of the first Test at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
Bad light forced an early close to play, with Sri Lanka reaching 404-4 after 102 overs, just 30 runs behind Pakistan’s first-innings total of 434.
De Silva remained unbeaten on 167, while Kusal was not out on 117 as the pair extended their fourth-wicket partnership beyond 200 runs to put the visitors firmly in control heading into the fourth day.
De Silva crossed the 150-run mark, while Kusal brought up his 11th Test century. The duo continued to frustrate Pakistan’s bowlers, taking Sri Lanka past the 400-run mark in the 101st over.
Earlier, Kamindu Mendis and De Silva had steadied the innings with a 90-run partnership during the opening session.
Kamindu scored his seventh Test half-century before Mohammad Abbas ended his resistance, dismissing him for 58 off 131 deliveries, including eight boundaries. Sri Lanka were 155-4 after 42 overs.
De Silva continued to lead the recovery, reaching his 21st Test half-century and taking the visitors past 200 in the 54th over. He then shared a valuable 50-run stand with Kusal, keeping Pakistan’s bowling attack at bay.
The pair carried their momentum into the second session, taking Sri Lanka beyond 250 before De Silva completed his 14th Test century.
Kusal provided solid support at the other end, bringing up his 24th Test half-century as the partnership crossed 100 runs and Sri Lanka moved past the 300-run mark.
Sri Lanka had resumed their first innings on the second day in a difficult position after losing two early wickets for just 12 runs.
Mohammad Abbas dismissed opener Pasindu Sooriyabandara for a seven-ball duck before debutant Saqib Khan claimed his maiden international wicket by removing Dinesh Chandimal for one off three deliveries.
Lahiru Udara and Kamindu then shared a 50-run partnership to take Sri Lanka past the 50-run mark. However, Saqib struck again, dismissing Udara for 42 off 52 balls, including seven boundaries, to leave the visitors struggling at 65-3 after 16.5 overs.
Sri Lanka’s recovery since then has put them within touching distance of Pakistan’s first-innings total, with six sessions of the match still potentially remaining.
