Centurions De Silva, Mendis foil Pakistan as Sri Lanka dig in

Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis combined to post centuries, helping Sri Lanka climb to 404-4 on the third day of their first Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi. De Silva amassed an unbeaten 167, while Mendis contributed 117 not out, driving Pakistan into a deficit of 30 runs, just 30 runs short of the 434-9 total they declared.

Mendis made history as the first Sri Lankan to score a century in his maiden captaincy, following De Silva's leadership change. Their partnership stands as a Sri Lankan record against Pakistan, surpassing the previous 207 scored by Thilan Samaraweera and Tillakaratne Dilshan in Lahore in 2009. De Silva, momentarily threatened when dropped on 38 by Saud Shakeel off Razaullah, capitalized on the assistance and has struck 20 boundaries in his 241-ball innings.

Mendis was more aggressive, hitting four sixes and 10 boundaries as Sri Lanka added 290 runs in the day, stopping play early due to bad light. De Silva completed his 14th Test century, including his fourth against Pakistan and second in Rawalpindi, with a boundary off spinner Arafat Minhas. Mendis claimed his 11th Test century with a ramp boundary off Razaullah.

After a day of challenging bowling from Pakistan, Mohammad Abbas and debutant Saqib Khan each took two wickets. Sri Lanka lost a solitary wicket in the first session as De Silva and Kamindu Mendis added 90 runs for the fourth wicket, enabling Sri Lanka to progress from an overnight score of 114-3. Pakistan declared their first innings at 434-9 on Tuesday, following their overnight score of 281-5.

Saud Shakeel led the way with 93, while debutants Tayyab Arif, Mohammad Taha, and Arafat Minhas contributed half-centuries to bolster the home team's position. In response, Sri Lanka's score at the close of the second day was 114-3, trailing Pakistan by 320 runs.