The Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 1st Test 2026 in Rawalpindi has turned into a genuine nail-biter. Sri Lanka finished Day 3 on 404/4, just 30 runs behind Pakistan's first-innings total of 434/9 declared.
Dhananjaya de Silva (167) and Kusal Mendis (117) put together a monumental 249-run unbeaten partnership for the fifth wicket . Pakistan's bowlers, so sharp on Day 2, looked flat as the pitch settled.
The match is finely balanced, and the first session on Day 4 will likely decide the direction of the entire series.
The Scorecard at a Glance
Here is where the match stands after three days of play.
Pakistan 1st Innings: 434/9 declared in 106.3 overs. Saud Shakeel top-scored with 93. Tayyab Arif (57), Arafat Minhas (52), Mohammad Taha (51), and Babar Azam (50) all contributed half-centuries.
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Sri Lanka 1st Innings: 404/4 in 102 overs. Dhananjaya de Silva is unbeaten on 167. Kusal Mendis is unbeaten on 117. The two have added 249 runs for the fifth wicket, the second-best fifth-wicket partnership for Sri Lanka in Test history.
The Deficit: Sri Lanka trails by 30 runs with six wickets in hand.
How Pakistan Built Their Total?
Pakistan won the toss and batted first on a greenish Rawalpindi surface. The decision looked questionable early, but the debutants steadied the ship.
Saud Shakeel anchored the innings with a patient 93 off 193 balls. He missed a well-deserved century, gloving a short ball to the wicketkeeper in the first over after lunch on Day 2.
Four debutants made significant contributions. Tayyab Arif smashed 57 off 51 balls. Mohammad Taha made 51. Arafat Minhas struck a brisk 52 off 72 balls, including nine fours and a six. Ghazi Ghori fell just short of a half-century, out for 48.
Babar Azam declared midway through the second session on Day 2, setting Sri Lanka a challenging target under overcast skies.
Sri Lanka's Stunning Fightback
Sri Lanka's reply started disastrously. Mohammad Abbas removed Pasindu Sooriyabandara for a duck in his second over. Debutant Saqib Khan then dismissed Dinesh Chandimal for 1, also in his second over. Sri Lanka were reeling at 12/2.
Lahiru Udara counter-attacked with a quickfire 42 off 52 balls. But Saqib struck again, having Udara caught behind. Sri Lanka were 65/3 and in serious trouble.
Then came the rescue act. Kamindu Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva steadied the innings with a 90-run stand. Kamindu made 58 before falling to Abbas. That brought Kusal Mendis to the crease .
What followed was pure dominance. De Silva and Kusal batted through the entire third day without being separated. De Silva reached his 14th Test century. Kusal brought up his 11th. The partnership swelled past 200, then 249. Pakistan's bowlers had no answers.
Saqib Khan: The Debutant Who Almost Won It Single-Handedly
Before Sri Lanka's fightback, the story was Saqib Khan. The debutant fast bowler tore through Sri Lanka's top order on Day 2, finishing with 2/54 at stumps .
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He returned on Day 4 morning to complete a sensational seven-wicket haul. Saqib dismissed both overnight centurions, de Silva and Kusal, in quick succession. He then cleaned up the lower order, finishing with spans of 7/130 in 34 overs.
That seven-wicket haul places Saqib in elite company. He became the fourth Pakistan bowler to take seven wickets in an innings on Test debut. He joins Mohammad Nazir Jr, Mohammad Zahid, and Abrar Ahmed .
The Pitch Report: What to Expect on Day 4
The pitch at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium has been true throughout. Marina Iqbal noted overcast skies with rain expected on Day 4. Bazid Khan observed that the surface looks a little shabby but continues to play well.
The ball comes onto the bat nicely. Footmarks and indentations have appeared where deliveries have pitched, and every few overs a ball can kick up. Otherwise, scoring remains manageable.
That assessment spells trouble for Pakistan. The pitch is not deteriorating fast enough to help their bowlers. Sri Lanka's batters have found the rhythm and timing to score freely.
Pakistan need early wickets on Day 4 to prevent Sri Lanka from taking a substantial first-innings lead.
Where to Follow the SL vs PAK Test Live Score?
For fans searching for the SL vs PAK test live score, several platforms provide ball-by-ball coverage.
India Today runs a live blog with commentary and score updates. Sportstar and The Indian Express also carry live scores . News18 provides session-by-session updates.
For television coverage in India, Sony Sports Network typically holds broadcast rights for Pakistan home series. Check your local listings.
What's at Stake?
This is the first Test of a two-match series. Pakistan are rebuilding after a miserable tour of England. They fielded four debutants in this match, signaling a shift toward younger players.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, are without several senior players. A first-innings lead here would be a significant morale boost. A win would be even bigger.
The match is far from over. Pakistan hold a 30-run advantage, but Sri Lanka have six wickets in hand and two set batters at the crease. Day 4 will decide whether Pakistan's debutants can deliver a famous win or whether Sri Lanka's experienced campaigners will bat them out of the game.
The Final Thoughts
The Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 1st Test 2026 has delivered everything a cricket fan could want. A debutant's seven-wicket haul. A 249-run unbroken partnership. A first-innings declaration that looked match-winning, then suddenly looked vulnerable.
Saqib Khan's heroics gave Pakistan a chance. Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis took it away. The match rests on a knife's edge. Follow the Sri Lanka Pakistan cricket match live on Day 4. This one is going to the wire.
