By Dwayne Ferreira
Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis share an unbeaten 249-run stand as Sri Lanka recover to 404/4 on day three.
RAWALPINDI, November 11, 2026 – Sri Lanka produced a remarkable batting comeback on the third day of the opening Test against Pakistan, recovering from a precarious 155 for four to reach 404 for four at stumps, powered by an extraordinary unbeaten 249-run partnership between Dhananjaya de Silva and captain Kusal Mendis.
Resuming their first innings on 114 for three in response to Pakistan’s imposing 434 for nine declared, Sri Lanka faced the daunting challenge of rebuilding after losing three early wickets on the previous day.
Kamindu Mendis and Dhananjaya initially steadied the innings, adding 91 runs for the fourth wicket before Mohammad Abbas struck, dismissing Kamindu for a well-compiled 58 off 131 deliveries.
At 155 for four, Pakistan appeared firmly in control, with Sri Lanka still trailing by 279 runs.
However, what followed was a remarkable transformation.
Dhananjaya, who received a crucial lifeline when Saud Shakeel dropped a sharp slip catch off Razaullah while he was on 38, capitalised on the opportunity to produce one of the finest innings of his Test career.
Joined by skipper Kusal Mendis, the experienced batter gradually wrestled the initiative away from Pakistan, combining disciplined defence with calculated aggression.
Sri Lanka reached lunch at 221 for four, with Dhananjaya unbeaten on 87 and Kusal providing steady support.
The afternoon session belonged entirely to the visitors.
Dhananjaya completed his 14th Test century, while Kusal grew increasingly confident, punishing loose deliveries and frustrating Pakistan’s bowling attack.
The pair accumulated 127 runs without losing a wicket during the afternoon session, taking Sri Lanka to 348 for four at tea.
Pakistan’s attempts to break the partnership proved unsuccessful, even after taking the second new ball.
Kusal subsequently completed his 11th Test century, while Dhananjaya continued accumulating runs, passing 150 as the partnership extended beyond 200.
Bad light eventually brought proceedings to a premature conclusion, with Dhananjaya unbeaten on a magnificent 167 from 241 balls, including 20 boundaries.
Kusal remained unbeaten on 117 from 188 deliveries, having struck 10 fours and four sixes.
Their unbroken 249-run fifth-wicket partnership transformed the contest, leaving Sri Lanka just 30 runs behind Pakistan’s first-innings total.
Having added 290 runs for the loss of only one wicket during the day, Sri Lanka will enter Thursday’s fourth day with six wickets remaining and a genuine opportunity to establish a commanding first-innings lead.
For Pakistan, breaking the partnership early will be essential to preventing Sri Lanka from taking control of the Test.
Match Scores – Stumps, Day 3
Pakistan – First Innings: 434/9 declared (106.3 overs)
Pakistan:
- Saud Shakeel – 93
- Mohammad Tayyab Arif – 57
- Arafat Minhas – 52
- Mohammad Taha – 51
- Babar Azam – 50
Sri Lanka:
- Asitha Fernando – 3/107
- Dilshan Madushanka – 3/108
Sri Lanka — First Innings: 404/4 (102 overs)
Sri Lanka:
- Dhananjaya de Silva – 167* (241 balls)
- Kusal Mendis – 117* (188 balls)
- Kamindu Mendis – 58 (131 balls)
- Lahiru Udara – 42 (52 balls)
Pakistan:
- Mohammad Abbas – 2/64
- Saqib Khan – 2 wickets
Match Position: Sri Lanka trail by 30 runs with six first-innings wickets remaining.
Unbeaten Partnership: Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis – 249 runs.
Next: Day 4 -Thursday, November 12, 2026.
