De Silva and Mendis Centuries Put Sri Lanka in Command of Rawalpindi Test

RAWALPINDI (Nazrana Times Sports Desk): Centuries from Dhananjaya de Silva and captain Kusal Mendis put Sri Lanka in a commanding position on the third day of the Rawalpindi Test. The visitors reached 404 for four in their first innings at stumps, trailing Pakistan’s total of 434 by just 30 runs with six wickets remaining.

Resuming at 114 for three, Sri Lanka lost Kamindu Mendis for 58. His dismissal proved to be Pakistan’s only breakthrough of the day.

Unbeaten 249-Run Partnership

De Silva and Kusal Mendis took control after Kamindu’s departure, adding an unbeaten 249 runs for the fifth wicket and denying Pakistan any further success.

Bad light brought an early end to play with de Silva unbeaten on 167 and Mendis on 117. Their partnership brought Sri Lanka within touching distance of Pakistan’s first-innings total.

Pakistan Struggle to Sustain Pressure

Pakistan’s bowling attack failed to maintain pressure after dismissing Kamindu Mendis. The hosts went wicketless throughout the subsequent 249-run partnership.

As the day progressed, the bowlers struggled to extract movement or turn, allowing both centurions to score freely. Sri Lanka finished Day Three firmly in control, needing just 30 more runs to draw level.