Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 1st Test day 3: Sri Lanka 404-4, trail by 30
Dhananjaya de Silva (167*) and Kusal Mendis (117*) added an unbroken 249 as Pakistan took one wicket all day. Where the Rawalpindi Test stands now.
Pakistan’s 434-9 declared looked like a winning total on Tuesday. By the close of day three in Rawalpindi on Wednesday, 11 November, Sri Lanka had almost wiped it out: 404 for 4, just 30 runs behind, with two centurions still at the crease. This follows our day-two report, when Pakistan declared.
One wicket in a day
Sri Lanka started the day on 114-3. Mohammad Abbas struck in the first session, finding the edge of Kamindu Mendis’s bat, and that was Pakistan’s only success. Sri Lanka added 290 runs for that one wicket before bad light ended play early, as it has on other days of this Test.
The stand
Dhananjaya de Silva is unbeaten on 167 from 241 balls and captain Kusal Mendis on 117 from 188. Their 249-run partnership for the fifth wicket is Sri Lanka’s highest for that wicket in Tests against Pakistan, according to the ICC’s commentary. The Associated Press described Pakistan’s bowling as an “inexperienced” attack being flayed, and once the ball got old the bowlers had few answers.
What it means for the result
With two days left and Sri Lanka about to take the lead, a Pakistan win now needs quick wickets on Thursday morning and a big collapse. The more likely outcomes are a draw, or a Sri Lanka lead big enough to put Pakistan’s batters under pressure on a wearing pitch on day five. Shortened days because of fading light make a result harder still.
Before the second Test
The second Test was moved from Lahore to Rawalpindi because of smog, so Pakistan stay at the same ground. The selectors will want to know whether this young attack can take 20 wickets on a surface like this one. The new ball, due early on day four, is Pakistan’s best chance.
