Kamindu Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva were looking to steer Sri Lanka out of the doldrums before the day two of the first Test against Pakistan ended on Tuesday at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Earlier, after the Green Shirts decided to declare on 434-9, Sri Lanka faced early hiccups as they lost two early wickets for 12. Pasindu Sooriyabandara was the first one to depart on (0), followed with the dismissal of Sri Lanka’s most experienced batter in Dinesh Chandimal, who made his way back to the pavilion.
It was Mohammad Abbas, who struck first by dismissing Sooriyabandara. Subsequently, it was Dinesh Chandimal, who lost his wicket on 1 and he was removed by debutant Saqib Khan, who also removed the settled batter in Lahiru Udara (42).
After the 53-run stand between Udara and Mendis broke, the latter stitched an unbeaten 49-run partnership with de Silva. The pair will start the proceedings for Sri Lanka on day three on 114/3 (27.1).
Kamindu Mendis has remained unbeaten on 40, lacing with five boundaries and de Silva to resume his innings after he scored unbeaten 28-ball 22, complimented with two boundaries.
Earlier, it was the debutants, who rose to the occasion for the Green Shirts. For Pakistan, three of the five half-centuries were scored by the debutants – Tayyab Arif (57), Mohammad Taha (51), Arafat Minhas (52). The home side decided to declare on 434/9 after the dismissals of Saud Shakeel and Arafat Minhas.
Saud Shakeel will be disappointed that he missed out his 5th Test century after playing a terrific 199-ball 93-run knock, laced with nine boundaries.
Earlier, on day one, Pakistan Test skipper Babar Azam had also compiled a half-century before he was removed by Madushanka.
Meanwhile, Salman Ali Agha (16) and Razaullah (10) failed to show any significant resistance with the bat.
For Sri Lanka, Asitha Fernando (3-107) and Dilshan Madushanka (3-108) picked up three wickets apiece.
Milan Rathnayaka (1-72) and Lahiru Kumara (1-104) and Sonal Dinusha (1-23) took a scalp each.
Dhananjaya de Silva (0-2) remained wicketless.
