The opening Test of the two-match series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka ended in a hard-fought draw at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday. Persistent rain interruptions during the first four days significantly reduced playing time, preventing either team from pushing for a decisive result. However, the final day witnessed an exciting contest, with Sri Lanka’s fast bowlers threatening to snatch victory and Saud Shakeel delivering two impressive knocks.
Tayyab Arif and Saud Shakeel help Pakistan post 434/9
Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis won the toss and chose to bowl on a surface offering assistance to the seamers. Pakistan’s openers made an aggressive start, with debutant Tayyab Arif scoring a quickfire 57 off 51 deliveries. He shared an 86-run opening partnership with Azan Awais, who contributed 30.
Milan Rathnayake and Asitha Fernando soon removed both openers, but Babar Azam (50) and Mohammad Taha (51) kept the innings on track with valuable half-centuries. Shakeel then took charge of the middle order, stitching together a crucial 96-run sixth-wicket stand with wicketkeeper Ghazi Ghori (48).
The left-hander narrowly missed his century, departing for 93 as Pakistan declared at 434/9 after 106.3 overs. Dilshan Madushanka and Asitha picked up three wickets each for Sri Lanka.
Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva put Sri Lanka in control
Sri Lanka produced a strong batting response, led by a magnificent 249-run partnership between captain Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva. Mendis scored 119, becoming the first Sri Lankan to register a century in his first Test as captain. De Silva provided excellent support with a commanding 167, helping the visitors reach 404/4.
However, Pakistan debutant Saqib Khan changed the momentum on the fourth morning with a sensational bowling performance. Exploiting the movement on offer, he dismissed de Silva in the opening over before triggering a remarkable collapse.
Sri Lanka lost their final six wickets for just 42 runs and were bowled out for 446, securing a 12-run first-innings lead. Saqib finished with figures of 7/130, recording the fourth-best bowling figures by a Pakistani bowler on Test debut.
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Sri Lanka’s late bowling surge falls short on final day
Rain disrupted Pakistan’s second innings on the fourth afternoon, with the hosts reaching 57/1 before play was halted. Sri Lanka came out firing on the final morning as Lahiru Kumara and Asitha struck twice within the first six deliveries. Awais (22) and Taha (24) departed without adding to their overnight scores.
Babar (34) and Salman Ali Agha (13) also fell after playing into Sri Lanka’s leg-side trap, leaving Pakistan struggling at 125/5. With an unlikely victory within reach, the visitors continued to apply pressure. Shakeel once again stood between Sri Lanka and victory. Despite suffering a painful blow to his shoulder and surviving a close LBW review, he remained determined and scored 97. Ghori (35) and Arafat Minhas (16) offered valuable support as Pakistan reached 284/8.
With time running out, both captains eventually agreed to end the contest. The first Test finished in a draw, leaving the two-match series level at 0-0.
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