Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis tons put Sri Lanka in control in first Test against Pakistan

Sri Lanka moved into a commanding position in the first Test against Pakistan after Dhananjaya de Silva and captain Kusal Mendis produced magnificent centuries on the third day at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

The visitors reached 404-4 in 102 overs before bad light forced an early close, leaving them just 30 runs behind Pakistan's first-innings total of 434.

De Silva remained unbeaten on 167, while Kusal was not out on 117, with the pair sharing an unbroken partnership exceeding 200 runs to put Sri Lanka firmly in control heading into the fourth day.

How did Sri Lanka recover in the opening session?

Resuming their innings after a difficult start, Sri Lanka found stability through Kamindu Mendis and De Silva, who put together a valuable 90-run partnership to revive the visitors.

Kamindu brought up his seventh Test half-century before Mohammad Abbas ended his resistance. The left-hander departed for 58 off 131 balls, striking eight boundaries, as Sri Lanka slipped to 155-4 after 42 overs.

However, De Silva continued to anchor the innings, bringing up his 21st Test half-century and guiding his side beyond the 200-run mark in the 54th over.

How did De Silva and Kusal take control?

Pakistan struggled to make further inroads as De Silva and Kusal joined forces to build a substantial partnership.

The pair added 50 runs before extending their stand beyond the century mark, with De Silva completing his 14th Test hundred and Kusal reaching his 24th Test half-century.

Their partnership continued to flourish in the second session, taking Sri Lanka past 300 and significantly reducing the deficit.

De Silva subsequently moved beyond 150, while Kusal registered his 11th Test century to complete a dominant day for the visitors.

The duo then guided Sri Lanka beyond 400 in the 101st over, leaving Pakistan's bowlers without a breakthrough for the remainder of the day.

How did Pakistan initially put Sri Lanka under pressure?

Sri Lanka had endured a disastrous start to their innings on the second day, losing two wickets for just 12 runs.

Abbas removed opener Pasindu Sooriyabandara for a seven-ball duck before debutant Saqib Khan claimed his maiden international wicket by dismissing Dinesh Chandimal for one.

Lahiru Udara and Kamindu briefly revived the innings with a 50-run partnership. However, Saqib struck again, sending Udara back for 42 off 52 deliveries, including seven boundaries, to leave Sri Lanka struggling at 65-3.

Since then, the visitors have staged an impressive recovery, with De Silva and Kusal putting their side in a commanding position.