Saqib Khan (7-130) rips through Sri Lanka batting in Rawalpindi Test

Pakistan quickly turned the pressure on the visitors, with Saqib breaking the stand by dismissing de Silva for 167 before removing Kusal for 119 as Sri Lanka lost two wickets for eight runs. Saqib continued his impressive spell, claiming the wickets of Sonal Dinusha, Lahiru Kumara and Asitha Fernando to finish with seven for 130 from 34 overs.

Sri Lanka were eventually bowled out for 446 in 117.2 overs, taking a 12-run lead over Pakistan's first-innings total of 434-9 declared. Milan Rathnayaka made 12. Pakistan's second innings began with an early setback as Asitha Fernando dismissed Tayyab Arif for 11.

At lunch Pakistan were 39-1, for a lead of 27 runs. Azan Awais was batting on 16 and Mohammad Taha on 12. On Wednesday Dhananjaya de Silva and skipper Kusal Mendis blasted unbeaten centuries to put Sri Lanka in commanding position.

De Silva (167 not out) and Mendis (117 not out) put together 249 runs for the fifth wicket unbroken stand to enable Sri Lanka reach 404-4 in 102 overs in their first innings as bad light hastened the stumps.

De Silva, who completed his 14th Test century off 151 balls and brought in his 150 off 216 deliveries, smashed 20 fours in his marathon knock. De Silva faced 241 balls in his fine innings which was full of patience.

He waited for a loose delivery to be dispatched towards the boundary. Mendis, on the other hand, brought in his 11th Test century off 152 balls, smashing ten fours and four sixes. He faced 188 balls.

Mohammad Abbas was the only successful bowler on the third day as he removed Kamindu to finish the day with 2-64. Saqib Khan, who had taken two early wickets on Tuesday, ended the day at 2-105 in 26 overs.

Young pacer Razaullah conceded 127 runs in 23 overs and was the most expensive bowler. Pakistan also utilized spinners Arafat Minhas and Salman Ali Agha but they also did not trouble Sri Lankan batsman. Resuming their first innings at 114-3 in reply to Pakistan's 434-9 declared, Sri Lanka did well to put the hosts under pressure.

Abbas provided breakthrough in the first session when he had Kamindu Mendis, who edged it to keeper Ghazi Ghori. Mendis, who hit eight fours in his 58, shared 90 runs for the fourth wicket stand with Dhananjaya de Silva.

On Tuesday Sri Lanka had lost two early wickets after beginning their reply, with Pasindu Sooriyabandara dismissed for a duck and Dinesh Chandimal falling for one. Lahiru Udara contributed 42. Pakistan had declared their first innings at 434-9, built around fine contributions from Saud Shakeel (93), Tayyab Arif (57), Arafat Minhas (52), Mohammad Taha (51 and captain Babar Azam (50).