Dhananjaya and Kusal Hit Centuries as Sri Lanka Fight Back to 404 for 4 in Rawalpindi

Sri Lanka turned the opening Test on its head on day three in Rawalpindi, closing on 404 for 4 — just 30 runs behind Pakistan’s first-innings total of 434 for 9 declared.

Dhananjaya de Silva finished unbeaten on 167 from 241 balls, while captain Kusal Mendis made 117 not out from 188 deliveries, the pair sharing an unbroken 249-run stand for the fifth wicket that wore Pakistan’s attack down across the day.

Pakistan had started brightly when Mohammad Abbas removed Kamindu Mendis for 58 to leave the visitors on 155 for 4, but from there the tourists took complete control and will now look to build a sizeable lead when play resumes on Thursday.

A partnership that changed the game

The fifth-wicket pair batted through most of the day without being separated, turning a position of real danger into one of real strength and leaving Pakistan searching for answers with the new ball still some way off.

Light still a factor

Bad light has already cost overs on each of the first three days, so both sides know time is precious if this match is to produce a result inside the remaining two days.

Source: PakPassion