De Silva, Mendis foil Pakistan

Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis showed great staying power as both posted centuries to lift Sri Lanka to 404-4 on day three of the first Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi on Wednesday, according to The Daily Star.

De Silva was unbeaten on a polished 167 while Mendis was 117 not out as the pair frustrated Pakistan in an unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 249, bringing Sri Lanka within 30 runs of the home team's total of 434-9 declared.

NDTV Sports reported that de Silva struck an unbeaten 167 with 20 fours to raise his 14th Test hundred, while Mendis celebrated his elevation to the Test captaincy with 117 not out, featuring 10 fours and four sixes.

The aggressive double-century stand between the former and current Test captains pushed Sri Lanka within 30 runs of Pakistan's first-innings 434-9 declared.

Historic Partnership and Captaincy Milestone

Mendis became the first Sri Lankan to score a century in his maiden Test as captain, after taking the reins from De Silva before this series. The two batters have now added 249 runs together, which is Sri Lanka's highest fifth-wicket partnership in Tests against Pakistan.

Babar Azam kept rotating his bowlers in search of a breakthrough, but apart from Abbas - who always looked the likeliest to strike - none of the others could sustain pressure from the other end.

What Happens Next

With the visitors just 30 runs adrift, they are likely to overhaul Pakistan's total within the first hour or so tomorrow. However, dicey weather could complicate matters on Day 4, with rain forecast throughout the day. The penultimate day begins on Thursday, 12th November and the first ball is scheduled to be bowled at 4.30 am GMT.

Scorecard summary

Related on Apex Sports News

• Kusal Mendis backs Sri Lanka batting ahead of Pakistan Test

• Babar Azam says Pakistan Test squad ready to fight against Sri Lanka

Sources

• The Daily Star

• NDTV Sports

• Photo: RisingStudio07, Pixabay Content License (Pixabay)