Kamindu starting to believe as Sri Lanka eye Pakistan triumph

Sri Lanka batter Kamindu Mendis is eyeing off a big first innings lead as his side chases victory in the first ICC World Test Championship contest against Pakistan in Rawalpindi.

Kamindu scored an excellent half-century on the third day of the Test on Wednesday, but he was outshone by fellow batters Dhananjaya de Silva (167*) and Kusal Mendis (117*) as the pair put on an unbeaten stand of 249 to power Sri Lanka along to 404/4 at stumps to only trail Pakistan by 30 runs on the first innings.

With bowlers from both sides struggling to find much assistance from the Rawalpindi pitch, Kamindu knows runs will be the order of the day on Thursday when play resumes as Sri Lanka try and surpass Pakistan's first innings score and obtain a big lead.

"We are in a good position," Kamindu said at stumps after his innings of 58.

"The first session tomorrow will be crucial, so if these two set batters can continue and give us a good lead, then we can go to the next step.

"We need to get a good first innings lead.

"Two set batters are at the crease and hopefully they'll play well tomorrow as well."

Kamindu suggested it was too early to discuss when a potential declaration may come from his side, though he does feel Sri Lanka's spinners can still have a say in proceedings on the final day.

"We haven't yet decided when we will declare," he added.

"I feel maybe tomorrow evening or on the last day, the wicket might get good for spinners and there's something in it for the fast bowlers too."

Mohammad Abbas was the only Pakistan bowler to taste any success with the ball on Wednesday when he got Kamindu to edge one to keeper Ghazi Ghori, but the pace spearhead failed to get through the defences of Dhananjaya and Kusal late in the day as Sri Lanka started to get on top.

"We put up a lot of effort but credit to the Sri Lankan pair on batting so confidently," Abbas said. 

"We need to get them out quickly for a fightback."

Series schedule:

First Test: 9-13 November, Rawalpindi
Second Test: 17-21 November, Rawalpindi