De Silva and Mendis tons take Sri Lanka to 404/4 at Rawalpindi
WicketPulse · Published
Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis put Sri Lanka within 30 runs of Pakistan’s first-innings total after an unbroken 249-run stand carried the visitors to 404 for four at stumps on day three of the first Test in Rawalpindi.
Kamindu’s wicket opened the day’s only gap
Sri Lanka resumed on 114 for three and lost Kamindu Mendis for 58 in the 42nd over. Mohammad Abbas took the wicket, the only breakthrough Pakistan managed in 74 overs and five balls. The visitors finished on 404 for four after 102 overs, with six first-innings wickets in hand.
De Silva and Mendis turn resistance into a major stand
Dhananjaya de Silva remained unbeaten on 167 from 241 balls, including 20 fours, while captain Kusal Mendis made 117 not out from 188 deliveries. Their unbroken fourth-wicket partnership reached 249. De Silva brought up his 14th Test century and Mendis his 11th, according to the Pakistan Cricket Board’s day-three report.
Sri Lanka trail by 30 with the innings still open
Pakistan had declared at 434 for nine. Sri Lanka therefore ended the day 30 runs behind, with the first innings still in progress and no match result decided. The tourists’ recovery from 114 for three has shifted the immediate focus to whether they can move ahead before Pakistan bat again.