Kamindu Mendis contributed 58 as Sri Lanka reached 404 for four at the end of the third day of the first Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi. Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis then carried the innings with unbeaten centuries, leaving the visitors 30 runs behind Pakistan's first-innings 434.
The ICC's day-three report records de Silva on 167 and Kusal on 117. Their unbroken stand had grown to 249 runs by stumps. Those figures describe the position at the close of play on November 11; they are not a claim about the current live score.
Two centuries change the innings
The partnership gave Sri Lanka a strong platform to address the remaining first-innings deficit. With six wickets still available at that stage, de Silva and Kusal had the opportunity to take the innings forward when play resumed. Reaching the opposition's total and building a lead remained separate steps; Sri Lanka had not yet moved ahead at stumps.
Kamindu's half-century was another important contribution before the unbeaten pair took over. Mohammad Abbas removed him through an edge caught by wicketkeeper Ghazi Ghori. Pakistan could not break the de Silva–Kusal partnership before the day's play ended.
Declaration remained undecided
Speaking after his innings, Kamindu identified the opening session on the following morning as important to Sri Lanka's attempt to establish a lead. He also said that the team had not settled on a declaration time. A possible declaration or a Sri Lanka victory therefore should not be treated as an announced decision or a completed result.
The opening Test is scheduled for November 9–13 in Rawalpindi. The same venue is due to stage the second Test from November 17–21. Both matches form part of the World Test Championship series.