RAWALPINDI – Pakistan piled up 434 runs for the loss of nine wickets before declaring their first innings on the second day of the opening Test against Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Five Pakistani batters registered half-centuries, including three debutants, as the home side put up an impressive batting display to take control of the match.
Resuming their innings on the second day, Pakistan continued to build on their strong start, with Saud Shakeel and wicketkeeper-batter Ghazi Ghori strengthening the middle order.
The pair added 96 runs for the sixth wicket, taking Pakistan beyond the 300-run mark before Sri Lankan pacer Dilshan Madushanka ended their stand by dismissing Ghori for 48. The wicketkeeper scored his runs off 72 balls, hitting two boundaries.
Saud Shakeel’s fighting innings ends at 93!
#PAKvSL | #CricketKaJashan https://t.co/sryeqeVBZy
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) November 10, 2026
Arafat Minhas joined Shakeel and made an immediate impact on his Test debut. The duo put together 44 runs for the seventh wicket before Asitha Fernando removed Shakeel for 93 off 199 deliveries. His innings included nine fours and ended just seven runs short of a century.
Minhas continued his impressive debut, bringing up his maiden Test half-century with an aggressive knock of 52 from 72 balls, featuring nine fours and a six. Madushanka eventually sent him back to the pavilion.
Lahiru Kumara then dismissed Razaullah for 10, prompting Pakistan captain Babar Azam to declare the innings at 434-9 after 106.3 overs.
Madushanka and Fernando were Sri Lanka’s leading wicket-takers, claiming three wickets each, while Kumara, Milan Rathnayake and Sonal Dinusha took one wicket apiece.
Earlier on the opening day, Pakistan’s openers Azan Awais and debutant Tayyab Arif provided an encouraging start with an 86-run partnership. Azan scored 30 before Rathnayake dismissed him, while Tayyab struck 57 off 51 balls, including nine fours and a six, before falling to Fernando.
Babar and another debutant, Mohammad Taha, then steadied the innings, taking Pakistan to 137-2 at lunch. Their 69-run partnership ended when Madushanka dismissed Babar for 50 off 58 balls.
Taha continued his impressive debut alongside Shakeel, adding 68 runs for the fourth wicket and reaching his maiden Test half-century before Dinusha removed him for 51.
Salman Ali Agha contributed 16 before becoming Fernando’s second victim, while Shakeel remained at the crease and continued to anchor Pakistan’s innings.
The opening Test is part of Sri Lanka’s tour of Pakistan.
