![Kusal Mendis reached the three-figure mark on Day 3 of the Test [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1794393853134_KusalMendiscelebrating.jpg?type=hq)
Kusal Mendis reached the three-figure mark on Day 3 of the Test [Source: AFP]
Kusal Mendis produced a memorable batting performance on his first outing as Sri Lanka's Test captain, scoring a century against Pakistan in the opening Test of the series at Rawalpindi.
The batter reached the three-figure mark on Day 3, helping Sri Lanka recover from early setbacks and build a strong position in their first innings. In the process, Mendis registered a rare milestone for himself.
Kusal Mendis Becomes First Sri Lankan To Score Test Century On Captaincy Debut
Mendis made history with a composed unbeaten 109 against Pakistan, becoming the first player from Sri Lanka to score a hundred in his first Test as captain. He reached the landmark in 152 deliveries, striking nine boundaries and three sixes to underline the importance of his innings.
His century also placed him among an exclusive group of players in Test cricket. Kusal Mendis is now the 37th cricketer overall to score a hundred in his first Test as captain, making his leadership debut even more special.
.jpg)
The right-hander came to the crease when Sri Lanka were struggling at 155/4 after losing Kamindu Mendis for 58. With the visitors still needing a substantial partnership to reduce Pakistan's first-innings advantage, Kusal joined Dhananjaya de Silva and helped turn the innings around.
The pair showed excellent patience and attacking intent, steadily taking the game away from Pakistan's bowling attack. While de Silva completed his century earlier, Kusal continued to build his innings and eventually brought up his own hundred off 152 balls.
Kusal Mendis Breaks Massive Milestones For Sri Lanka
Significantly, Kusal Mendis also became only the second player to score a century against Pakistan in his first Test as captain. England's Andrew Strauss was the first to achieve the feat, scoring 128 at Lord's in 2006.
Apart from his individual milestone, Mendis also became part of a record-breaking fifth-wicket partnership with Dhananjaya de Silva. The duo put together an unbeaten 211-run stand, which became Sri Lanka's highest fifth-wicket partnership against Pakistan in Test cricket.
The stand between Mendis and de Silva also created a new benchmark for fifth-wicket partnerships against Pakistan on their home soil. Their unbeaten 211-run effort moved past the previous highest of 207, also registered by Sri Lanka in Lahore in 2009.
India's Sandeep Patil and Ravi Shastri had earlier shared a 200-run partnership in Faisalabad in 1984, while West Indies legends Dwayne Bravo and Brian Lara also added 200 runs for the fifth wicket in Multan in 2006.
