Pakistan’s bowlers endured a grueling day of leather-chasing as Sri Lankan batsmen Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis constructed a monumental partnership that has put the visitors within striking distance of the hosts’ first-innings total in the opening Test at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
De Silva remained unbeaten on a masterful 167 while Mendis stood firm at 117 not out as Sri Lanka closed day three at 404-4, trailing Pakistan’s declared 434-9 by just 30 runs. The pair’s unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 249 runs represents the highest partnership by any Sri Lankan pair against Pakistan in Test history, surpassing the previous record of 207 set in Lahore seventeen years ago.
The day belonged entirely to the visitors, who added 290 runs while losing just one wicket before deteriorating light forced an early conclusion to play. Mendis etched his name in Sri Lankan cricket folklore by becoming the first player from the island nation to score a Test century while captaining the side in his debut match as skipper, having recently taken over leadership duties from De Silva.
Pakistan’s bowling attack, which had shown promise in reducing Sri Lanka to 114-3 overnight, found no answers on a placid Rawalpindi surface. De Silva survived a crucial dropped catch on 38 by Saud Shakeel off debutant pacer Razaullah and capitalized ruthlessly, striking 20 boundaries across his 241-ball innings to register his 14th Test century and fourth against Pakistan.
Mendis adopted a more aggressive approach, launching four sixes and 10 boundaries to bring up his 11th Test hundred with a ramp shot off Razaullah. The partnership has left Pakistan’s bowlers exhausted, with veteran Mohammad Abbas returning figures of 2-64 and debutant Saqib Khan conceding 105 runs for his two wickets.
The only success for Pakistan came when Kamindu Mendis, who had added 90 runs with De Silva for the fourth wicket, edged Abbas to wicketkeeper Ghazi Ghori after scoring a patient 58 off 131 deliveries.
Meanwhile, environmental concerns have forced cricket authorities to make a significant scheduling change. The Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed that the second Test, originally planned for Lahore’s iconic Gaddafi Stadium, will now be played at the same Rawalpindi venue from November 17 to 21. The decision comes as thick smog continues to blanket Lahore, raising health and visibility concerns that make conducting international cricket impractical.
The venue switch represents another challenge for Pakistan cricket, which has worked tirelessly to restore international matches on home soil after years of exile. The smog crisis affecting Punjab’s major cities has now impacted sporting schedules, highlighting the broader environmental challenges facing the region.
With Sri Lanka positioned to potentially take a first-innings lead, Pakistan faces an uphill battle to assert control in this Test match. The hosts, who posted a competitive total built on half-centuries from Tayyab Arif, Mohammad Taha, captain Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, and Arafat Minhas, now need early breakthroughs on day four to prevent Sri Lanka from seizing complete command of the contest.
