Kusal Mendis Makes History With Century On Test Captaincy Debut In Rawalpindi

Sri Lankan cricket reached a significant milestone in Rawalpindi as Kusal Mendis delivered a historic performance during his first Test as captain. The right-handed batter showcased exceptional skill and composure, becoming the first Sri Lankan cricketer to register a century on his Test captaincy debut. This achievement, recorded on November 11, 2026, during the opening Test against Pakistan, has drawn considerable attention to Kusal Mendis and his leadership capabilities.

Kusal Mendis became the first Sri Lankan to score a century in his maiden Test as captain.

Kusal Mendis captain debut century

Facing a formidable Pakistan total of 434/9 declared, Sri Lanka found themselves in a challenging position early in the match. When Mendis arrived at the crease, the team had already lost three wickets for 114 runs. However, the new skipper anchored the innings with determination. Partnering with former captain Dhananjaya de Silva, Mendis orchestrated a record-breaking 249-run stand for the fifth wicket, which effectively stabilized the visitor's response. By the close of play on Day 3, Sri Lanka had reached 404/4, trailing Pakistan by only 30 runs.

Mendis reached his 11th Test century off 152 deliveries, finishing the day unbeaten on 117 from 188 balls. His innings featured 10 boundaries and four sixes, highlighting his attacking intent alongside his defensive solidity. With this feat, he joins an elite group, becoming the 37th player in international cricket history to score a hundred in his first Test as captain. Furthermore, he is only the second player to achieve this against Pakistan, following England’s Andrew Strauss, who scored 128 at Lord's in 2006.

The partnership between Mendis and de Silva, who remained unbeaten on 167, surpassed the previous Sri Lankan fifth-wicket record against Pakistan of 207 runs, set by Thilan Samaraweera and Tillakaratne Dilshan in 2009. Mendis, who was appointed to the Test leadership role on October 8, 2026, following de Silva's resignation, has now firmly established his authority in the longest format of the game.

Why it matters

This historic performance marks a successful transition in leadership for Sri Lankan cricket, as Mendis proves his ability to perform under the pressure of captaincy. For fans in South Asia, this match highlights the evolving competitive landscape of Test cricket between Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Additionally, Rahmat Shah has made history as the first Afghanistan cricketer to enter the ICC Test batting rankings top 10 following a 173-run knock against Zimbabwe, signaling a broader trend of individual excellence across the region.