Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Live score and updates, 1st Test Day 4 in Rawalpindi

PAK vs SLPakistan (PAK) vs Sri Lanka (SL) Live score and updates, 1st Test Day 4: Sri Lanka have fought back strongly after Pakistan posted 434/9, with Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis leading a remarkable middle-order revival. The visitors ended Day 3 at 404/4, trailing by just 30 runs, setting up a fascinating fourth day in Rawalpindi.

Pakistan will look to strike early and regain control, while Sri...Read MorePakistan (PAK) vs Sri Lanka (SL) Live score and updates, 1st Test Day 4 in Rawalpindi. (Courtesy: Reuters) Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Day 4 of the first Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka from Rawalpindi. 09:05 IST:Pakistan need early breakthroughs - Pakistan will be looking for a much-improved performance from their bowling attack after managing just one wicket across a lengthy third day.

Mohammad Abbas and Saqib Khan had earlier made important inroads, sharing the first four wickets between them, but the inexperienced attack struggled to find a way past the two well-set batters. Abbas has been the standout with figures of 2/64, while Saqib has two wickets to his name as well.

Babar Azam will need his bowlers to show patience, maintain their discipline and find a way to separate the pair early. With a first-innings almost impossible, Pakistan cannot afford to let Sri Lanka dictate the proceedings for another session.09:03 IST:Sri Lanka look to take control - It has been a tremendous response from the visitors after being reduced to 114/3 on Day 2.

Kamindu Mendis initially steadied the innings with a composed 58 before Dhananjaya de Silva and captain Kusal Mendis took charge with an outstanding unbeaten 249-run partnership. De Silva has been particularly impressive, bringing up his 14th Test hundred and finishing on 167, while Kusal celebrated his elevation to the captaincy with an unbeaten 117.

Both will resume with their eyes on big individual scores, but more importantly, Sri Lanka will want to build a meaningful first-innings lead and put their bowlers in a position to dictate terms09:01 IST:Day 4 beckons - Welcome back! We are into the fourth day of this opening Test, and Sri Lanka have staged a remarkable fightback after Pakistan looked firmly in control earlier in the contest.

The visitors closed Day 3 at 404/4, just 30 runs behind Pakistan's first-innings total of 434/9 declared, thanks to two magnificent unbeaten centuries. With six wickets still in hand, Sri Lanka will now look to take a substantial lead and put the pressure back on the hosts, who need early breakthroughs to regain control.09:00 IST:...

DAY 4, SESSION 1 ...17:04 IST:A historic partnership - The scoring template remained largely unchanged, but the two batters showed even greater urgency, determined to erase the deficit. They have now added 249 runs together, which is Sri Lanka's highest fifth-wicket partnership in Tests against Pakistan.

Babar Azam kept rotating his bowlers in search of a breakthrough, but apart from Abbas - who always looked the likeliest to strike - none of the others could sustain pressure from the other end. With the visitors just 30 runs adrift, they are likely to overhaul Pakistan's total within the first hour or so tomorrow.

However, dicey weather could complicate matters on Day 4, with rain forecast throughout the day. Anyways, let us hope for the best.

The penultimate day begins on Thursday, 12th November and the first ball is scheduled to be bowled at 4.30 am GMT. Cheers!17:07 IST:A befitting response - If the first session belonged to patience and control, the second belonged entirely to Sri Lanka's counterattack.

Dhananjaya de Silva brought up his century, while Kusal Mendis made sure no loose delivery went unpunished. The pair eventually cut loose, chipping away at the deficit until it dipped below three figures - and they finished the session unbeaten, on a high.

Pakistan, by contrast, looked increasingly rattled and short of answers. Barring Abbas, the attack lacked consistency, and they even failed to produce the breakthroughs they desperately needed with the second new ball.16:57 IST:Dhananjaya de Silva led Sri Lanka's resistance - Sri Lanka blunted Pakistan's pacers in a patient morning session, adding 107 runs for the loss of just Kamindu Mendis on 58.

Dhananjaya de Silva, however, beautifully anchored the resistance with a disciplined half-century. Pakistan were left to rue Saud Shakeel's dropped chance when de Silva was on 38, although Mohammad Abbas eventually broke the 90-run stand by dismissing Kamindu.

Kusal Mendis then joined de Silva, and the pair calmly stitched together another recovery partnership, negotiating the skidding deliveries and steadily chipping away at the deficit.16:54 IST:11.17 am GMT - Bad light in Rawalpindi - Razaullah stares helplessly at Mendis before turning and walking away. And here we go - Rod Tucker places the light meter on top of the stumps to take a reading.

The light has been deemed unsafe for play to continue, and the umpires have called STUMPS on Day 3. A monumental effort from Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva to drag their side out of trouble and put Sri Lanka firmly in control.

Both receive appreciations from a few Pakistani players before being warmly embraced by their teammates in the dressing room. Richly deserved, for they have sucked the wind out of Pakistan's sails and left the hosts frustrated.16:49 IST:Game stopped due to : Bad Light16:55 IST:101.6: Razaullah to Kusal Mendis, Oh, close!

Things are getting spicy between Razaullah and Kusal Mendis. Hits the length hard, just outside off.

Kusal Mendis hops and cramps for room to offer his defence. The ball just glides past the outside edge.

16:45 IST:101.5: Razaullah to Kusal Mendis, Skids through, on a good length, well outside off. Kusal Mendis tries to punch it away, but ends up leaving it.16:44 IST:101.4: Razaullah to Kusal Mendis, Good length, wide outside off, Medis makes a leave.16:44 IST:The on-field umpire, Rod Tucker, has the light meter in his hand.

The reading will be taking after the completion of this over, it seems.16:44 IST:101.4: Razaullah to Dhananjaya de Silva, NO BALL! Razaullah has overstepped here.

Hard length, around middle, Dhananjaya de Silva covers the stumps and nudges it to mid-wicket for a single. Sri Lanka trail by 30 runs now!16:43 IST:101.3: Razaullah to Dhananjaya de Silva, On a length, around off, Dhananjaya de Silva hops and blocks it.16:42 IST:101.2: Razaullah to Dhananjaya de Silva, A touch fuller, on off.

Dhananjaya de Silva expects the ball to bounce, but it stays low. He tries to punch it from his back foot toward the off side, but catches the inside edge before it hits the pad.

16:42 IST:101.1: Razaullah to Kusal Mendis, Nails a yorker, does Razaullah, on middle. Kusal Mendis digs it to mid on and gets a quick single.16:42 IST:Razaullah is back into the attack, replacing Mohammad Abbas.

But realistically, with the light deteriorating by the minute, only another 10-15 minutes of play seems likely.16:40 IST:100.6: Saqib Khan to Dhananjaya de Silva, Back of a length, around off, shaping in. Dhananjaya de Silva keeps it out.

16:40 IST:100.5: Saqib Khan to Dhananjaya de Silva, On a length, around off, Dhananjaya de Silva dabs it to point. 16:39 IST:100.4: Saqib Khan to Dhananjaya de Silva, A yard behind good length, outside off.

Dhananjaya de Silva guides it to gully.16:38 IST:100.3: Saqib Khan to Dhananjaya de Silva, Good-length delivery, around off, Dhananjaya de Silva shoulders arms at it.16:38 IST:100.2: Saqib Khan to Dhananjaya de Silva, On a length, Dhananjaya de Silva strides forward and blocks it out.16:38 IST:100.1: Saqib Khan to Dhananjaya de Silva, Uppish, but away from the fielder! Just behind the fuller length, around off.

Dhananjaya de Silva presses on his front foot to drive it away, but miscues the shot as his bottom hand comes off the handle and the ball flies wide of cover. Two runs taken and with that, Sri Lanka go past 400!16:37 IST:Drinks Break!

It has been smooth sailing for Sri Lanka, with the two batters putting on 244 runs together, and, dare we say, without a single hiccup. The tourists are now just 35 runs behind and will be eyeing an overhaul of Pakistan's total before stumps today.

However, with the light fading rapidly in Rawalpindi, it remains to be seen how many more overs can be squeezed in as we still have 25 overs left to be bowled today. Pakistan's attack, meanwhile, has looked increasingly helpless.

Once again, it is Abbas who is generating any semblance of pressure, though he is receiving little support from the other end. Saqib Khan is back into the attack, replacing Salman Agha.16:33 IST:99.6: Mohammad Abbas to Kusal Mendis, Just a shade behind the good length, outside off, Kusal Mendis shoulders arms at it.

16:31 IST:99.5: Mohammad Abbas to Kusal Mendis, Hard length, around off, Mendis blocks it down the deck. 16:31 IST:99.4: Mohammad Abbas to Kusal Mendis, Short, on off, Kusal Mendis keeps it out.16:30 IST:99.3: Mohammad Abbas to Kusal Mendis, Edged, but it didn't carry!

Good-length delivery, pitching on middle, tailing it away. Kusal Mendis tries to defend with soft hands, but gets an outside edge.

The ball lobs to Salman Agha at second slip, where he gets low to his left but collects it with a bounce.16:29 IST:99.2: Mohammad Abbas to Kusal Mendis, Back of a length, pitching just outside off and swings it away from the batter. Mendis makes a leave.

There's a bit of late outswing as the ball travels to Ghazi Ghori. 16:29 IST:99.1: Mohammad Abbas to Kusal Mendis, Just a shade behind the good length, outside off, Kusal Mendis steers it to cover.

16:27 IST:98.6: Salman Agha to Dhananjaya de Silva, Short, around off, de Silva pushes it to cover. 16:27 IST:98.5: Salman Agha to Dhananjaya de Silva, A touch fuller, on off, defended by Dhananjaya.

16:27 IST:98.4: Salman Agha to Dhananjaya de Silva, Short, on middle, DDS flicks it to mid-wicket.16:26 IST:98.3: Salman Agha to Dhananjaya de Silva, FOUR! MAGNIFICENT!

A touch fuller, on middle. Dhananjaya de Silva skips down the track and smokes it over the bowler for a boundary.

16:26 IST:98.2: Salman Agha to Dhananjaya de Silva, Short, outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva blocks it away.16:25 IST:98.1: Salman Agha to Kusal Mendis, Short, outside off, Kusal Mendis pushes it to deep point for one.16:25 IST:97.6: Mohammad Abbas to Dhananjaya de Silva, Shaping in, on a good length, down the leg side. Dhananjaya de Silva fails to tickle it away.

16:24 IST:97.5: Mohammad Abbas to Kusal Mendis, Slanting down the leg side, Kusal Mendis clips it to deep fine leg.16:23 IST:97.4: Mohammad Abbas to Kusal Mendis, Good-length delivery, around the pads. Kusal Mendis misses on his flick.

16:22 IST:97.3: Mohammad Abbas to Kusal Mendis, On a length, on off, Kusal Mendis blocks it away. 16:22 IST:97.2: Mohammad Abbas to Kusal Mendis, Beaten!

What a beauty! At 121.7 kph, on a three-quarter length and angled in around off.

It forces Mendis into playing at it. But the ball lands, seams away sharply, and flies past the outside edge, leaving Mendis beaten all ends up.16:21 IST:97.1: Mohammad Abbas to Kusal Mendis, Short, on off, Kusal Mendis bunts it down the deck.

16:22 IST:The light is now fading rapidly in Rawalpindi as the floodlights are into full effect. We may not be too far away from the pacers being taken off, with the light deteriorating quickly.16:20 IST:96.6: Salman Agha to Dhananjaya de Silva, A touch fuller, at the stumps.

Dhananjaya de Silva blocks it down. 16:20 IST:96.5: Salman Agha to Dhananjaya de Silva, On the fuller side, outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva guides it to the right of the first slip fielder.

16:19 IST:96.4: Salman Agha to Dhananjaya de Silva, Short, outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva makes a leave. 16:19 IST:96.3: Salman Agha to Dhananjaya de Silva, Pitches it up, DDS eases it to cover.16:19 IST:96.2: Salman Agha to Dhananjaya de Silva, Fuller, on off, defended by DDS.16:19 IST:96.1: Salman Agha to Dhananjaya de Silva, FOUR!

Thumped away! Short of a length, just outside off.

Dhananjaya de Silva gets on his back foot and punches it through cover for a boundary. 16:17 IST:95.6: Mohammad Abbas to Kusal Mendis, Short of a length, outside off, Mendis guides it to cover-point.16:17 IST:95.5: Mohammad Abbas to Kusal Mendis, A touch fuller, on off and middle.

Kusal Mendis eases it back to the bowler. 16:16 IST:95.4: Mohammad Abbas to Kusal Mendis, Just outside off, on a good length, Kusal Mendis blocks it to the off side.16:15 IST:95.3: Mohammad Abbas to Kusal Mendis, On the fuller side, on off, Kusal Mendis nudges it to wide mid on.

16:15 IST:95.2: Mohammad Abbas to Kusal Mendis, Pitches it up, on off, Kusal Mendis leans on it and defends it to cover. 16:14 IST:95.1: Mohammad Abbas to Kusal Mendis, Just a shade behind the good length, just outside off, Kusal Mendis dabs it down the deck.

16:14 IST:Mohammad Abbas (26-9-63-2) is back on with a switch of ends. He replaces Razaullah.16:13 IST:94.6: Arafat Minhas to Dhananjaya de Silva, FOUR!

Swept, and swept exceptionally well! Dropped in front of the sticks by Minhas, on a fuller length, Dhananjaya de Silva picks the length early, gets down on a knee and firmly sweeps it over mid-wicket and picks up another boundary.

Sri Lanka now trail by just 45 runs!16:12 IST:94.5: Arafat Minhas to Dhananjaya de Silva, Full outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva gets on the front foot and eases it to cover-point.16:12 IST:94.4: Arafat Minhas to Kusal Mendis, Looped fuller, on the off stump, Mendis lunges and drives it along the ground for a single to long off.16:12 IST:94.3: Arafat Minhas to Kusal Mendis, Full around off, Mendis leans on and defends it to cover.16:11 IST:94.2: Arafat Minhas to Kusal Mendis, FOUR! Goes very fine!

Drifting into the pads, full in length, Kusal Mendis sinks to a knee to sweep it away but gets a bit of a glove and the ball shoots between Ghazi Ghori's legs before racing to the fence.16:10 IST:94.1: Arafat Minhas to Kusal Mendis, Short on middle, Kusal Mendis hangs back and punches it back to Minhas.16:10 IST:Change of gloves for Dhananjaya de Silva. Babar turns back to spin, as Arafat Minhas (20-2-83-0) is back on, replacing Mohammad Abbas.16:08 IST:93.6: Razaullah to Dhananjaya de Silva, Just in!

Speared into the pads on a three-quarter length, Dhananjaya de Silva is hurried as he attempts to flick it to the leg side. He gets an inside edge, and the ball rolls to the right of deep fine leg.

The batters hustle back for the second run, with de Silva forced to dive as the throw comes in to the keeper, who breaks the stumps. But de Silva has made his ground comfortably.16:07 IST:93.5: Razaullah to Dhananjaya de Silva, Length-delivery, around off, Dhananjaya de Silva rocks back and blocks it solidly.16:06 IST:93.4: Razaullah to Kusal Mendis, On a length, around off.

Mendis steers it into the point region and collects a single.16:05 IST:93.4: Razaullah to Kusal Mendis, NO BALL AND SIX! Everything is going horribly wrong for Pakistan now.

Razaullah puts in an extra effort on this and oversteps. Bangs it short and it keeps rising off the track.

Kusal Mendis has to hop on his toes and he ramps it behind deep third, clearing the ropes for a six.16:04 IST:The floodlights are now switched on at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.16:04 IST:93.3: Razaullah to Dhananjaya de Silva, 150 up for Dhananjaya de Silva! The Sri Lankan supporters and his teammates rise to applaud a magnificent batting effort.

He acknowledges them with a thumbs-up before getting straight back to business. Good length, angling into the batter.

DDS clips this towards the deep mid-wicket region for a single.16:04 IST:93.2: Razaullah to Kusal Mendis, Curves away from off, on a length, Mendis hangs back and stabs it through cover-point for an easy single.16:03 IST:93.1: Razaullah to Dhananjaya de Silva, Too straight on the pads, Dhananjaya de Silva hangs back and steers it to long leg for a single.16:02 IST:92.6: Mohammad Abbas to Kusal Mendis, In-between length, at 123.6 kph, outside the off pole. Mendis lets it through.16:01 IST:92.5: Mohammad Abbas to Kusal Mendis, At three-quarter length, angled in around the off stump at 121.8 kph.

Mendis is forced into a shot. He tries to work it towards the leg side but gets an inside edge onto the pad instead.16:00 IST:92.4: Mohammad Abbas to Kusal Mendis, Length ball, around off, left alone.16:00 IST:92.3: Mohammad Abbas to Kusal Mendis, On the stumps on a good length, Kusal Mendis blocks it watchfully.15:59 IST:92.2: Mohammad Abbas to Kusal Mendis, Beaten!

Back of a length, staying low, outside off, Kusal Mendis flashes at it, only to miss.15:59 IST:92.1: Mohammad Abbas to Dhananjaya de Silva, A big mix-up, but the danger is averted! Marginally short and around off, Dhananjaya de Silva punches it to the right of the cover fielder.

He sets off for a single, only for Mendis to send him back from more than halfway as Arafat Minhas swoops and throws to the keeper's end. Fortunately for de Silva, Ghazi Ghori is late in charging onto the stumps, and the ball rolls away to deep fine leg.

The batters make the most of it, running a single off the overthrow.15:57 IST:91.6: Razaullah to Kusal Mendis, Oh, how did that miss the off stump? A skiddy delivery, on a length, just outside off, Kusal Mendis trusts the bounce and opts to leave.

But the ball doesn't rise much and just whistles over the off stump. Razaullah, with a resigned look, can't believe it.15:57 IST:91.5: Razaullah to Dhananjaya de Silva, Full and on middle-and-leg, Dhananjaya de Silva attempts to flick it away but fails to connect with the bat.

The ball rolls off his front pad towards square leg, and the batters scamper through for a leg bye. A half an appeal for LBW, but not given.15:56 IST:91.4: Razaullah to Kusal Mendis, Full on middle and leg, Kusal Mendis flicks it wide of mid-wicket for a single.15:55 IST:91.3: Razaullah to Kusal Mendis, FOUR!

HUNDRED FOR KUSAL MENDIS! He lets out a big roar and what a way to bring it up.

A special, special knock from a truly special player. The entire Sri Lankan dressing room rises to its feet in appreciation of an innings of the highest quality.

This is Mendis' 11th Test century, his first against Pakistan, and also his first as Test captain. Short of a length and on top of the stumps, Mendis uses the pace brilliantly, leans back and effortlessly ramps it over the keeper's head for four.15:54 IST:91.2: Razaullah to Dhananjaya de Silva, Full and shaping away, Dhananjaya de Silva strides across and creams it between mid off and cover for a single.15:53 IST:91.1: Razaullah to Kusal Mendis, Length-delivery, too straight down leg, Kusal Mendis hangs back and tickles it behind to the left of the keeper for a single.15:53 IST:Razaullah (20-1-104-0) will share the attack.15:52 IST:90.6: Mohammad Abbas to Dhananjaya de Silva, Full and straight, on off, Dhananjaya de Silva forces it down to mid on.15:52 IST:90.5: Mohammad Abbas to Dhananjaya de Silva, Nagging length on leg, stabbed back to the bowler.15:51 IST:90.4: Mohammad Abbas to Dhananjaya de Silva, FOUR!

The 200-run partnership comes up between Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva. What an exceptional stand this has been for the Islanders!

Just when they needed it most. Short of a length, outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva pounces on the width and nails the square cut through cover-point for a boundary.15:50 IST:90.3: Mohammad Abbas to Kusal Mendis, Length ball, outside off, punched off the back foot and to the left of point for a single.15:50 IST:90.2: Mohammad Abbas to Kusal Mendis, FOUR!

Positivity dripping through every shot as Kusal moves to 95! Overpitched by Abbas, on off, Kusal Mendis unleashes a crisp straight drive, hitting it back past the bowler, for a boundary.

Gun-barrel straight down the ground.15:48 IST:90.1: Mohammad Abbas to Dhananjaya de Silva, Back of a length, outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva cracks the square cut to deep point for a single. Sri Lanka trail by 85 runs.15:49 IST:Welcome back for the third and final session of this Moving Day in Rawalpindi.

Pakistan are under immense pressure and will be desperate for quick wickets. There are still 35 overs left in the day, and play can go on for thirty extra minutes as well, but with the threat of bad light looming, fitting in all of them looks highly unlikely.

The Pakistani players disperse from the huddle and take their fielding spots. Kusal Mendis (90) and Dhananjaya de Silva (141) confidently stroll out to the crease to resume their partnership, which is worth 193 runs.

Mohammad Abbas will get the session underway. Here we go...15:45 IST:...

Day 3, Final Session ...15:37 IST:De Silva's landmark - Dhananjaya de Silva then brought up his 14th Test century, his fourth against Pakistan in red-ball cricket and continued his exceptional knock. Pakistan's pacers took the new ball and asked some serious questions to the set batters, but the duo answered them all and saw the session through without losing a wicket.

With the partnership still alive and the final session ahead, can Pakistan finally find the breakthrough they have been chasing? Stay tuned with us as the evening session will begin around 10.15 am GMT.15:32 IST:9.57 am GMT - TEA ON DAY 3 - Nothing short of a magnificent session for the visitors.

They have managed to score 127 runs without losing any wickets in 30 overs in the afternoon session. They currently trail by 86 runs, and they also have six more wickets to get to the lead.

Sri Lanka began the post-lunch session just as they wanted, with Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva picking up exactly where they left off before the break. Their partnership grew stronger by the over and swelled to 193, leaving Pakistan frustrated.

Along the way, Mendis reached his 24th Test half-century, and he is now just 10 runs short of a century. 15:48 IST:89.6: Razaullah to Kusal Mendis, FOUR!

Not in complete control, but he gets away with it. Short of a good length, nipping away with bounce.

Kusal Mendis gets on his toes, delays his shot and flays it over the slip cordon for a boundary. One bounce and into the fence.

And that will be Tea on Day 3. Sri Lanka are 348/4, trailing by 86 runs!15:26 IST:89.5: Razaullah to Kusal Mendis, Fuller than a length, around off, Mendis drills it to mid off.15:25 IST:89.4: Razaullah to Dhananjaya de Silva, Extra bounce saves DDS!

A huge, drawn-out appeal from Razaullah, but the umpire remains unmoved. He pleads his case, and his confidence eventually persuades Babar to send it upstairs for a review.

Razaullah bangs the ball into the length, on the line of leg stump. Dhananjaya de Silva shifts slightly across and tries to work it to the leg side, but the ball passes close to the inside edge before rolling off the thigh pad.

UltraEdge confirms that no bat was involved. But Ball Tracking shows that it is projected to miss the leg stump on height.

Pakistan lose a review.15:22 IST:89.3: Razaullah to Kusal Mendis, Short outside off, Kusal rides the bounce and cuts it to deep backward point for a single.15:22 IST:89.2: Razaullah to Dhananjaya de Silva, Pitched quite fuller, around off, moving away a bit. Dhananjaya de Silva cracks the straight drive down the ground.

Babar Azam dives to his right from mid off and makes a half-stop, taking the sting out of it. The ball gets parried to the deep but slows down and is hunted down by Babar himself.

Three runs taken.15:21 IST:89.1: Razaullah to Dhananjaya de Silva, Loose from de Silva! Swings away with extra bounce, wide of off, Dhananjaya de Silva loosely hangs the blade away from his body, trying to access the off side but gets beaten all ends up.15:20 IST:88.6: Saqib Khan to Kusal Mendis, On a nagging length, outside off, swinging away.

Kusal Mendis lets it travel to the keeper. 15:19 IST:88.5: Saqib Khan to Kusal Mendis, Pitches it up, on off, Mendis defends it to cover.

15:18 IST:88.4: Saqib Khan to Kusal Mendis, Back of a length, well outside off, shaping away. Kusal Mendis leaves it away.

15:18 IST:88.3: Saqib Khan to Kusal Mendis, Oh, beats the bat by a whisker! Just a shade behind the good length, angling in, pitching on off.

Kusal Mendis tries to block it down, but it nips away sharply to beat the outside edge. 15:17 IST:88.2: Saqib Khan to Kusal Mendis, Hard-length delivery, outside off, Kusal Mendis shoulders arms at it.

15:17 IST:88.1: Saqib Khan to Dhananjaya de Silva, Much fuller, on off and middle. Dhananjaya de Silva clips it to long leg for a single.

15:15 IST:87.6: Razaullah to Kusal Mendis, On the fuller side, on middle. Kusal Mendis blocks it to cover.

15:15 IST:87.5: Razaullah to Kusal Mendis, Short of a length, on middle. Kusal Mendis dabs it down behind point.

15:14 IST:87.4: Razaullah to Kusal Mendis, Nipping away, pitching it fuller, well outside off. Mendis is not interested to have a shot at it.

15:13 IST:87.3: Razaullah to Kusal Mendis, A touch fuller, keeping the line on the fourth stump. Kusal Mendis covers the stumps with his back leg and hangs his willow in the air to make a leave.

15:13 IST:87.2: Razaullah to Kusal Mendis, Good-length delivery, just outside off. Kusal Mendis leaves it away.

15:12 IST:87.1: Razaullah to Dhananjaya de Silva, Just a shade behind the good length, on middle and leg. Dhananjaya de Silva works it to deep square leg for a single.

15:11 IST:86.6: Saqib Khan to Kusal Mendis, Hard length, outside off, Kusal Mendis lets it travel to the keeper. 15:11 IST:86.5: Saqib Khan to Kusal Mendis, FOUR!

Timed to perfection! Aiming at the batter's pads in search of outswing, Saqib bowls it too full, but it goes straight on.

Kusal Mendis rolls his wrists and flicks it through the gap between mid-wicket and mid on for four more runs. 15:10 IST:86.4: Saqib Khan to Kusal Mendis, A touch fuller, outside off.

Kusal Mendis rocks back, and cuts it toward the right of gully for a brace. 15:09 IST:86.3: Saqib Khan to Kusal Mendis, Good length, on middle, Kusal Mendis knocks it to cover.15:08 IST:86.2: Saqib Khan to Kusal Mendis, Short of a length, outside off, Kusal Mendis shoulders arms at it.15:08 IST:86.1: Saqib Khan to Kusal Mendis, Pitches it up, fuller, on middle and leg, Kusal Mendis tries to flick it away, but gets nicked off the outside edge before it rolls to backward point.15:10 IST:Babar Azam is having a word with the on-field umpire while Kusal Mendis takes a sip of a refreshment drink.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's fast bowling coach, Shaun Tait, chats with Razaullah at the boundary line. The players are ready to resume.15:06 IST:85.6: Razaullah to Dhananjaya de Silva, Hammered short, but wayward down leg, Dhananjaya de Silva resists his temptation to play the pull shot and withdraws his bat inside the line to leave.15:06 IST:85.5: Razaullah to Kusal Mendis, Short of a good length, outside off, Mendis scythes it to deep point for a single.15:06 IST:85.4: Razaullah to Dhananjaya de Silva, Hard length, outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva rides the bounce and taps it to the cover region.

They set off for a single but Dhananjaya has to hurry as Salman Agha swoops to his left, and releases a throw with his left hand, but misses hi shy at the bowling end.15:06 IST:85.3: Razaullah to Kusal Mendis, Down the leg stump and full, Kusal flicks it between deep mid-wicket and deep square leg for a single.15:03 IST:85.2: Razaullah to Kusal Mendis, Attacks the pads of the batter off a length ball, Mendis gets across and dead-bats it down the pitch.15:02 IST:85.1: Razaullah to Kusal Mendis, Beauty! Lands it hard into the pitch and gets it to nip away off the seam with extra bounce.

Kusal Mendis loosely pokes at it, but the ball whistles past his outside edge.15:02 IST:Razaullah (17-1-92-0) is back on, replacing Mohammad Abbas.15:01 IST:84.6: Saqib Khan to Dhananjaya de Silva, FOUR MORE! A shot of authority.

That was four the moment the ball pinged off the bat. Short of a length, a bit wide of off, there to be hit.

Dhananjaya de Silva covers the stumps, swivels and pulls it through the mid-wicket gap and the ball speeds into the fence for a four.15:00 IST:84.5: Saqib Khan to Dhananjaya de Silva, Pulls the length back, does Saqib, outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva hangs back and dabs it to gully.15:00 IST:84.4: Saqib Khan to Dhananjaya de Silva, FOUR! Picturesque!

Overpitched delivery on off, Dhananjaya de Silva unleashes a smooth and silky straight drive, back past the bowler for a boundary. Sri Lanka trail by 110 runs!14:59 IST:84.3: Saqib Khan to Kusal Mendis, Back of a length on the pads, Mendis plays off the back foot and nudges it to the mid-wicket region for a single.14:58 IST:84.2: Saqib Khan to Kusal Mendis, Overpitched and shaping away, Kusal Mendis pushes at it with soft hands, and gets it sliced along the ground to gully.14:57 IST:84.1: Saqib Khan to Dhananjaya de Silva, Full and too straight onto the pads, Dhananjaya de Silva clips it through square leg for an easy single.14:56 IST:83.6: Mohammad Abbas to Kusal Mendis, Swings in a wee bit, full on off, Kusal Mendis presses forward, plays with soft hands and dabs it to the second slip fielder.14:56 IST:83.5: Mohammad Abbas to Kusal Mendis, Zips and skids through the surface, outside off, Kusal Mendis chops it off the back foot to cover.14:55 IST:83.4: Mohammad Abbas to Dhananjaya de Silva, Good length on middle, Dhananjaya de Silva tucks it through mid-wicket for a run.14:54 IST:83.3: Mohammad Abbas to Kusal Mendis, Nearly chopped on!

Not all that short, around off, nipping in with bounce. Kusal Mendis gets it two minds - whether to leave or play at it.

Dangles his bat midway, away from his body and gets an inside edge. Luckily for him, the ball goes past the leg stump and rolls to deep fine leg for a single.14:54 IST:83.2: Mohammad Abbas to Kusal Mendis, Length-delivery, outside off, Kusal presses back and dabs it to point.14:53 IST:83.1: Mohammad Abbas to Kusal Mendis, Moving in and out of the off stump line, on that three-quarter length.

Kusal Mendis is beaten on the outside edge.14:54 IST:What happened there? Kusal pulled out of his stance just as Abbas was about to deliver, apparently unsettled by some movement behind the bowler’s arm.

As any bowler would, Abbas looks visibly frustrated and walks back to his bowling mark with a wry smile.14:51 IST:82.6: Saqib Khan to Dhananjaya de Silva, Shapes away, full but wide of off, de Silva leaves this harmless delivery.14:51 IST:82.5: Saqib Khan to Dhananjaya de Silva, On a back of a length, swinging from middle to off, Dhananjaya de Silva rocks back and defends it down carefully.14:50 IST:82.4: Saqib Khan to Dhananjaya de Silva, Nearly a yorker around off, squeezed out to mid off.14:49 IST:82.3: Saqib Khan to Dhananjaya de Silva, First rare loose shot by DDS! On a drivable length, tempting the batter into taking the bait.

He strides half-forward, looking to work it through the off side, but the ball lands and continues to move away, zipping past the outside edge.14:49 IST:82.2: Saqib Khan to Dhananjaya de Silva, Swinging away, full and outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva leaves it alone.14:48 IST:82.1: Saqib Khan to Dhananjaya de Silva, FOUR! WOW!

What wonderful timing! Overpitched, around off, hardly any outswing.

Dhananjaya de Silva lets his hands flow through the line and drives it to the right of mid off for a cracking boundary. Didn't try to hit it too hard, just a mere push and the placement was just perfect.14:47 IST:81.6: Mohammad Abbas to Kusal Mendis, Full and straight this time, defended solidly by Kusal.14:46 IST:81.5: Mohammad Abbas to Kusal Mendis, Beaten!

Abbas angles it in and around off. Kusal Mendis is completely squared up on the back foot as he tries to defend it down, but the ball skids, seams away pretty late and beats the outside edge.14:46 IST:81.4: Mohammad Abbas to Dhananjaya de Silva, Good length, angled in on the pads, Dhananjaya de Silva hops back and steers it behind square leg for a single.14:45 IST:81.3: Mohammad Abbas to Dhananjaya de Silva, Just a hint of an away shape, short outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva watchfully blocks it off the back foot.14:45 IST:81.2: Mohammad Abbas to Dhananjaya de Silva, Back of a length, around off, Dhananjaya de Silva rocks back and tries to work it to the off side, but the ball kicks up a touch, nips in and takes the inside edge before ramming onto the thigh pad.14:44 IST:81.1: Mohammad Abbas to Dhananjaya de Silva, Fires it fuller, on middle and leg.

Dhananjaya de Silva attempts to clip it away, but gets nicked off the outside edge and rolls toward backward point.14:44 IST:A maiden to start with the second new ball that moved and seamed quite a bit. Mohammad Abbas is brought back on, replacing Arafat Minhas.14:43 IST:80.6: Saqib Khan to Kusal Mendis, Fuller in length, on middle, swinging it away.

Kusal Mendis tries to flick it away, but gets the leading edge before it rolls to cover. 14:42 IST:80.5: Saqib Khan to Kusal Mendis, On a good length, outside off.

Kusal Mendis isn't interested to offer any shot at it. 14:42 IST:80.4: Saqib Khan to Kusal Mendis, Pitches it up, fuller, on off, Kusal Mendis leans on it and defends it to cover.

14:41 IST:Mohammad Abbas is loosening up. 14:41 IST:80.3: Saqib Khan to Kusal Mendis, Short of a length, outside off, Kusal Mendis bunts it to cover-point.14:41 IST:80.2: Saqib Khan to Kusal Mendis, Much fuller, just outside off, searching for the same outswinger, but no movement on this one.

Kusal Mendis defends it to cover. 14:40 IST:80.1: Saqib Khan to Kusal Mendis, Swing straight away!

Kusal Mendis seems to be very surprised by the amount of swing. Fuller in length, pitching it just outside off and seams it away.

Mendis attempts to defend it down, but it zips past the outside edge. He is clearly taken aback by the movement, perhaps having not noticed that the new ball had been taken.

The replay shows that he was busy gardening the pitch and didn't even notice.14:40 IST:The second new ball is available for Pakistan. Will Babar Azam opt for it right away?

Yes, he does. Pakistan have taken the new ball.

The fourth umpire comes out and hands it over to Rod Tucker, who, in turn, tosses it to Saqib Khan (20-1-82-2), who replaces Salman Agha.14:38 IST:79.6: Arafat Minhas to Dhananjaya de Silva, Short, outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva lets it pass through. 14:37 IST:79.5: Arafat Minhas to Kusal Mendis, Pitches it up, at the stumps, Kusal Mendis sweeps it deep square leg for one.14:37 IST:79.4: Arafat Minhas to Dhananjaya de Silva, Fuller, around off, Dhananjaya de Silva drives it to long off for one.14:36 IST:79.3: Arafat Minhas to Dhananjaya de Silva, Flatter and much fuller, on off and middle.

Dhananjaya de Silva sweeps it to the left of the deep square leg fielder. The batter decides for a double, but Razaullah's throw at the bowler's end nearly hit the bullseye, and things would have been very interesting if it had hit the stumps.

14:36 IST:79.2: Arafat Minhas to Dhananjaya de Silva, Short, on the middle and leg stumps. Dhananjaya de Silva dabs it to the leg side.

14:36 IST:79.1: Arafat Minhas to Dhananjaya de Silva, Short, on middle and leg. Dhananjaya de Silva nudges it to the left of mid-wicket.

14:35 IST:78.6: Salman Agha to Kusal Mendis, Short of a length, outside off, Mendis punches it to the left of the bowler.14:34 IST:78.5: Salman Agha to Kusal Mendis, Short, around middle. Kusal Mendis rests it down.14:34 IST:78.4: Salman Agha to Kusal Mendis, Short, angling in, on middle, Kusal Mendis nudges it to mid-wicket.14:34 IST:78.3: Salman Agha to Kusal Mendis, Fuller, around off, Mendis clips it to mid-wicket.14:34 IST:78.2: Salman Agha to Kusal Mendis, Tossed up, much fuller, just behind the yorker length.

Kusal Mendis jams it back to the bowler.14:33 IST:78.1: Salman Agha to Kusal Mendis, Pitches it up, on leg, Kusal Mendis works it to the leg side.14:35 IST:And finally, after a long time, Babar summons his fifth bowler. Here's Salman Agha.

There's a slip in place.14:32 IST:77.6: Arafat Minhas to Dhananjaya de Silva, Short, outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva steers it to the right of the slip fielder. 14:32 IST:77.5: Arafat Minhas to Dhananjaya de Silva, Short, on middle, Dhananjaya de Silva pats it back to the bowler.14:32 IST:77.4: Arafat Minhas to Dhananjaya de Silva, Pitches it up, on middle and leg, Dhananjaya de Silva tries to defend it, but catches the inside edge before it rolls to square leg.14:31 IST:77.3: Arafat Minhas to Dhananjaya de Silva, Short, on leg, Dhananjaya de Silva tucks it to square leg.

14:31 IST:77.2: Arafat Minhas to Dhananjaya de Silva, Pitches it up, on off, Dhananjaya de Silva drives it to cover. 14:31 IST:77.1: Arafat Minhas to Dhananjaya de Silva, Short, around off, Dhananjaya de Silva knocks it to cover.14:30 IST:76.6: Razaullah to Kusal Mendis, Back of a length, outside off, Kusal Mendis bunts it to backward point.

14:29 IST:76.5: Razaullah to Kusal Mendis, Fuller, on leg, Kusal Mendis tries to flick but misses. 14:28 IST:76.4: Razaullah to Kusal Mendis, FOUR!

All placement in this shot! Short of a length, on the fifth stump.

Kusal Mendis stands tall, uses the pace, and opens the face of the bat to guide it toward the left of the gully fielder for a boundary. The 150-run stand comes up between de Silva and Kusal.14:28 IST:76.3: Razaullah to Kusal Mendis, Fuller, on middle, Kusal Mendis clips it to mid-wicket.

14:27 IST:76.2: Razaullah to Kusal Mendis, Angling in, fuller, on leg, Mendis knocks it to mid on. 14:26 IST:76.1: Razaullah to Kusal Mendis, Short, just outside off, Mendis bunts it to cover.14:25 IST:75.6: Arafat Minhas to Dhananjaya de Silva, Short, on middle and leg, Dhananjaya de Silva tucks it with soft hands to the vacant square leg and takes a couple of runs.

14:24 IST:A mandatory concussion test is underway for the Pakistani wicketkeeper, Ghazi Ghori. The ball not only outfoxed the batter but also the keeper and hit the side of his helmet.

The physio asks him a few questions, and he appears to be fine. A new helmet is now being brought out for Ghori, as the old one has taken quite a bit of damage.

We are good to resume now.14:22 IST:75.5: Arafat Minhas to Dhananjaya de Silva, Oh my word! There's the extra bounce off the surface.

Arafat Minhas tosses it up, a touch shorter, on off. Dhananjaya de Silva tries to sweep it with hard hands but misses connecting and it hits the grill of the helmet of Ghazi Ghori, standing close to the stumps.

14:21 IST:75.4: Arafat Minhas to Dhananjaya de Silva, A touch shorter, just outside off. Dhananjaya de Silva bunts it with soft hands.14:21 IST:75.3: Arafat Minhas to Dhananjaya de Silva, Floated up, fullish, on middle.

Dhananjaya de Silva prods and rests it down.14:21 IST:75.2: Arafat Minhas to Dhananjaya de Silva, Fuller, on off, Dhananjaya de Silva lunges and defends it down. 14:21 IST:75.1: Arafat Minhas to Dhananjaya de Silva, Tossed up, fuller, on off, Dhananjaya de Silva blocks it to cover.14:20 IST:Drinks Break!

To put it fairly and politely, this has been a really poor bowling display from Pakistan and they seem out of plans to stop this partnership. They have leaked 40 runs in the last 4 overs, and the deficit for Sri Lanka has shrunk to 133 runs.

Sure, there's not much help for the spinners or the pacers, but the others could surely take a leaf out of Abbas' book and try to bowl some quiet overs. Right now, it just looks like Pakistan are going through the motions.

The partnership between Kusal and DDS is worth 146 runs and nothing indicates them slowing down as the plan seems to be garnering as many runs as possible before the second new ball is taken, which is now five overs away.14:16 IST:74.6: Razaullah to Dhananjaya de Silva, Bumper, on off and middle. Dhananjaya de Silva pulls it to deep square leg for a single.14:14 IST:74.5: Razaullah to Dhananjaya de Silva, On a length, going down the leg side, Dhananjaya de Silva fails to flick it away.14:14 IST:74.4: Razaullah to Kusal Mendis, A touch fuller, around middle.

Kusal Mendis flicks it to the left of mid-wicket for a single. With this single, Sri Lanka get to the 300 mark!14:13 IST:74.3: Razaullah to Dhananjaya de Silva, Hard length, on off, Dhananjaya de Silva swivels and whips it to deep square leg for one.

14:12 IST:74.2: Razaullah to Kusal Mendis, On a length, around off and middle, Kusal Mendis tries to flick it, but plays the shot early. The ball hits the leading edge and rolls toward deep point.

Single taken. 14:12 IST:74.1: Razaullah to Kusal Mendis, FOUR!

Mendis has picked the gap perfectly! Back of a length, just outside off, Kusal Mendis rocks back and steers it to beat the diving gully fielder to his right for a boundary.

14:11 IST:73.6: Arafat Minhas to Kusal Mendis, Flighted up, full on middle, Mendis drives it wide of mid on for a single.14:10 IST:73.5: Arafat Minhas to Kusal Mendis, FOUR! And now, pure delicacy at display.

Pakistan are leaking too many runs here. Fires it on a length, outside off, Mendis lets it drift into him, hangs back and cuts it very late, successfully finding the gap between first slip and backward point for a boundary.14:09 IST:73.4: Arafat Minhas to Kusal Mendis, Drifting down leg, on a length, Kusal hangs back, gets across and tickles it on the bounce to the leg slip fielder.14:09 IST:73.3: Arafat Minhas to Kusal Mendis, Angling into the batter, full in length, clipped gently to short mid-wicket.14:09 IST:73.2: Arafat Minhas to Dhananjaya de Silva, Tossed up around middle.

Dhananjaya de Silva goes down on one knee, tries a slog sweep, and mistimes it for a single to deep mid-wicket.14:09 IST:73.1: Arafat Minhas to Dhananjaya de Silva, A bit full on the stumps, blocked off the front foot.14:09 IST:72.6: Razaullah to Dhananjaya de Silva, Short and into the right-hander, Dhananjaya de Silva is hurried into the pull and gets an inside edge onto the thigh pad, with the ball dropping beside the pitch on the leg side. The batters set off immediately for a quick single.14:09 IST:72.5: Razaullah to Kusal Mendis, Length ball, wide of off, Kusal looks to cut it square, but gets a bit of a top edge due to extra bounce and it runs to the fielder stationed at a straightish deep third for a single.14:05 IST:72.5: Razaullah to Kusal Mendis, Wide!

Way too short and outside off, Kusal misses to pull as the ball flies way above his head.14:04 IST:72.4: Razaullah to Kusal Mendis, SIX! That is audacious batting!

As if he knew exactly what Razaullah would deliver. A length ball on the leg stump, and Kusal Mendis picks the length in an instant, gets under it beautifully, and pulls it over long leg for a huge six.

40 runs in the last 22 balls for Sri Lanka, informs Salman Butt on air.14:03 IST:72.3: Razaullah to Dhananjaya de Silva, Short of a length, around the leg stump, Dhananjaya de Silva rocks back and jabs it to deep square leg for a single.14:03 IST:72.2: Razaullah to Dhananjaya de Silva, Comes from around the stumps and slams it short and down leg, Dhananjaya de Silva swings hard to pull but misses as the ball kicks up. Razaullah appeals for caught behind, but it's nowhere close to the bat, and instead, has been warned by Rod Tucker for running across the danger area on the pitch.14:02 IST:72.1: Razaullah to Dhananjaya de Silva, FOUR!

WHAT A SHOT! Runs have started to flow for the Sri Lankans here.

Back of a length, on top of off, Dhananjaya de Silva backs away to make room and hammers it with a flat-batted angle, hitting it through mid off and extra cover for a cracking boundary. That will surely rattle any bowler in the world.14:01 IST:71.6: Arafat Minhas to Kusal Mendis, Spins away, full on off, Mendis leans on and defends it to cover-point.14:00 IST:71.5: Arafat Minhas to Kusal Mendis, SIX!

FIFTY FOR KUSAL MENDIS! A wonderful way to bring up his 24th Test half-century, his first as a full-time Test skipper.

Responds with a calm raise of the bat to acknowledge the applause from his teammates. The partnership is now worth 122 runs as Kusal jumps down the track to the full ball and clobbers it effortlessly over long on.14:00 IST:71.4: Arafat Minhas to Dhananjaya de Silva, Darts it on middle and leg, on a good length, DDS uses the depth of the crease and whips it to deep backward square leg for a single.13:59 IST:71.3: Arafat Minhas to Dhananjaya de Silva, Fuller than a length, on the fourth stump, Kusal hangs back and dabs it to point.13:59 IST:71.2: Arafat Minhas to Kusal Mendis, Fuller on the pads, swept behind square on the leg side for a single.13:58 IST:71.1: Arafat Minhas to Kusal Mendis, FOUR!

Kusal is inching toward his half century, as he moves to 45! Minhas lands it short on middle and leg, Kusal Mendis goes deep inside the crease and nails the pull shot to the deep square leg for a boundary.13:58 IST:70.6: Razaullah to Kusal Mendis, A bit more effort on this ball as Razaullah bends his back and hammers it short, around the ribs.

Kusal Mendis hops across and tickles it to deep fine leg for a single. Sri Lanka trail by 173 runs!13:57 IST:70.5: Razaullah to Dhananjaya de Silva, Banged hard into the pitch, on off, Dhananjaya de Silva controls the pull shot to deep backward square leg for a single.13:57 IST:70.4: Razaullah to Dhananjaya de Silva, Short again and on the stumps, Dhananjaya de Silva lets it go through.

Razaullah fixes him with a steely stare, but de