RAWALPINDI – Pakistan and Sri Lanka settled for draw in opening Test of 2-game series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday, as Saud Shakeel’s fighting 97 and debutant Saqib Khan’s sensational 7-wicket haul emerged as defining performances in red ball action.
Shaeens declared their second innings at 284-8, setting Sri Lanka a target of 273 runs before both teams agreed to end the match without a result, leaving the series evenly poised at 0-0. While Shakeel missed his century by just three runs, young pacer Saqib Khan stole the spotlight with a remarkable debut performance, earning the Player of the Match award for his figures of 7-130.
The final-day batting effort shows Shakeel’s heroics, who held innings together after Sri Lanka’s bowlers threatened to derail the hosts with a series of early breakthroughs. The left-handed batter shows composed knock of 97 from 210 deliveries, but his hopes of reaching three figures were shattered when Lahiru Kumara bowled him.
It was another frustrating near-miss for Shakeel, who had also fallen short of a century in Pakistan’s first innings, scoring 93 from 199 balls. Despite the disappointment, the middle-order batter demonstrated remarkable consistency by accumulating 190 runs across the two innings. Shakeel received valuable support from Ghazi Ghori, who contributed 35 off 69 deliveries during a crucial 92-run partnership that helped Pakistan extend their advantage beyond the 200-run mark.
Arafat Minhas later joined the resistance, scoring 16 and adding 44 runs alongside Shakeel as the hosts strengthened their position. Sri Lanka’s Milan Rathnayake was the most successful bowler in Pakistan’s second innings, returning figures of 3-47 from 20 overs, while Asitha Fernando claimed 2-35 from 13 overs.
The final day started with Pakistan holding a slender 45-run advantage at 57-1, but the visiting bowlers quickly seized control. Azan Awais departed for 22, followed by Mohammad Taha for 24, putting pressure on the hosts’ batting lineup. Captain Babar Azam attempted to steady the innings alongside Shakeel, with the pair adding 50 runs before Babar was dismissed for 34.
Salman Ali Agha also failed to convert his start, falling for 13 as Pakistan slipped to 125-5. However, Shakeel’s determined resistance, supported by Ghori and Minhas, ensured the hosts recovered from the setbacks and built a lead sufficient to avoid defeat. Pakistan eventually declared at 284-8, bringing the contest to a conclusion without Sri Lanka beginning a second innings.
The biggest achievement of match belonged to Pakistan’s debutant fast bowler Saqib Khan, who delivered a stunning seven-wicket performance against Sri Lanka’s experienced batting lineup. The young pacer finished with outstanding figures of 7-130 in 34 overs, dismantling the visitors’ middle and lower order after they had threatened to establish a commanding first-innings lead.
Sri Lanka initially found themselves struggling at 65-3 before mounting an impressive recovery. Kamindu Mendis contributed 58 runs, while Dhananjaya de Silva and captain Kusal Mendis produced a magnificent 249-run partnership that turned the momentum in Sri Lanka’s favour. De Silva led the visitors’ scoring with a superb 167 from 246 deliveries, while Kusal Mendis struck 119 off 202 balls.
Their centuries helped Sri Lanka move past Pakistan’s first-innings total, but Saqib’s devastating bowling spell prevented the visitors from gaining a substantial advantage.
The debutant removed both centurions and claimed several crucial lower-order wickets as Sri Lanka were eventually bowled out for 446. Veteran pacer Mohammad Abbas provided support with figures of 2-68 from 33 overs, limiting Sri Lanka’s first-innings lead to just 12 runs. Saqib’s exceptional performance earned him the Player of the Match honour, making his maiden Test appearance particularly memorable.
Earlier, Pakistan had laid the foundation for a competitive total with a collective batting effort, declaring their first innings at 434-9. The innings featured five half-centuries, with Shakeel leading the charge through his patient 93.
Young batter Tayyab Arif provided an attacking contribution, smashing 57 from just 51 balls, while Arafat Minhas added 52 off 72 deliveries. Mohammad Taha registered 51 from 105 balls, and skipper Babar Azam contributed 50 from 58 deliveries.
Sri Lanka’s pace attack shared the bulk of the wickets, with Asitha Fernando taking 3-107 from 26 overs and Dilshan Madushanka returning 3-108 from 23 overs.
Despite Pakistan’s substantial total, Sri Lanka responded strongly through De Silva and Kusal Mendis, ensuring the match remained competitive until the final day.
With neither side able to force a victory in Rawalpindi, the two-match series remains wide open ahead of the final Test. Pakistan will take positives from Saqib Khan’s impressive arrival in international red-ball cricket and Shakeel’s consistent performances, while Sri Lanka can draw encouragement from their commanding middle-order partnerships and disciplined bowling spells.
Sri Lanka tighten grip on Rawalpindi Test as Babar Azam misses century again
