Saqib’s Seven, Saud’s 97 and Plenty of Positives as Pakistan-Sri Lanka Test Ends in Draw
RAWALPINDI: Pakistan and Sri Lanka settled for a draw in the opening Test after the hosts declared their second innings at 284-8 on the final day, setting a target of 273 runs at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday.
Saud Shakeel was once again Pakistan’s standout batter, narrowly missing a well-deserved century after scoring 97 from 210 balls, featuring seven fours. His composed innings helped Pakistan strengthen their position before both sides shook hands on a draw.
Pakistan resumed the final day’s play at 57-1, carrying a lead of 45 runs, but their progress was interrupted by a series of wickets in the morning session.
Lahiru Kumara removed Azan Awais for 22, while Asitha Fernando sent Mohammad Taha back to the pavilion for 24. Babar Azam then joined Shakeel and the pair added 50 runs to steady the innings.
However, Milan Rathnayake struck twice, dismissing Babar for 34 and Salman Ali Agha for 13, leaving Pakistan struggling at 125-5.
Shakeel found valuable support from Ghazi Ghori as the duo stitched together a 92-run partnership, pushing Pakistan’s lead beyond 200. Shakeel brought up his 13th Test half-century during the stand before Rathnayake ended Ghori’s resistance at 35 off 69 balls.
Arafat Minhas further strengthened Pakistan’s position with a 44-run partnership alongside Shakeel. Minhas contributed 16 before Dhananjaya de Silva broke the stand.
With Pakistan comfortably ahead, Shakeel continued to approach his fifth Test hundred. However, Kumara denied him the milestone, bowling him for 97. Razaullah remained unbeaten as Pakistan declared at 284-8, prompting both teams to settle for a draw.
Earlier in the match, Pakistan posted an impressive 434-9 declared in their first innings, with five batters scoring half-centuries, including three debutants.
Shakeel led the scoring with 93 off 199 deliveries, while Tayyab Arif made an attacking 57 from 51 balls. Arafat Minhas scored 52 off 72 deliveries, Mohammad Taha contributed 51 from 105 balls, and captain Babar Azam added 50 off 58.
Sri Lanka responded with 446, securing a narrow 12-run advantage despite being reduced to 65-3 early in their innings.
Kamindu Mendis provided resistance with 58 before Dhananjaya de Silva and captain Kusal Mendis took charge. The pair produced a magnificent 249-run partnership, with both registering centuries to put the visitors in a commanding position.
De Silva scored 167, while Kusal contributed 119, but Pakistan mounted an impressive comeback on the fourth morning to dismiss Sri Lanka for 446.
Debutant Saqib Khan was the chief architect of that recovery, producing a remarkable seven-wicket performance with figures of 7-130. He accounted for both centurions and three lower-order batters, while Mohammad Abbas picked up two wickets and Razaullah claimed one.
Although Pakistan missed the opportunity to secure a victory, the opening Test offered several encouraging performances, particularly from debutant Saqib Khan, experienced campaigner Saud Shakeel and the younger members of the batting line-up.
