Centurions Dhananjaya and Kusal flay inexperienced Pakistan attack to boost Sri Lanka in first Test

RAWALPINDI Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis smashed centuries against Pakistan's inexperienced bowling attack to take Sri Lanka to a formidable 404-4 at stumps on Day 3 of the first cricket Test on Wednesday. De Silva struck an unbeaten 167 with 20 fours to raise his 14th test hundred, while Mendis celebrated his elevation to the test captaincy with 117 not out, featuring 10 fours and four sixes. The aggressive double-century stand between the former and current test captains pushed Sri Lanka within 30 runs of Pakistan's first-innings 434-9 declared.

“We need to get a good first-innings lead,” No. 4 batter Kamindu Mendis said after his knock of 58. “Two set batsmen are at the crease and hopefully they'll play well tomorrow as well.

“We haven't yet decided when we will declare, but we have to score more runs in the first session tomorrow.