RAWALPINDI: Pakistan tightened their grip on the first Test against Sri Lanka on Tuesday, piling up 434 for nine declared before their fast bowlers struck three times to leave the visitors facing an uphill battle at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Sri Lanka reached 114 for three when poor light brought an early end to the second day’s play, still trailing by 320 runs. Kamindu Mendis was unbeaten on 40 alongside captain Dhananjaya de Silva, who had made 22.
It was another productive day for Pakistan, with Saud Shakeel leading the batting effort and debutant Saqib Khan making an immediate impression with the ball.
Saud Shakeel falls short of century as Pakistan pile on the runs
Pakistan resumed on 281 for five and showed little urgency to declare, choosing instead to build a total that would put Sri Lanka under sustained pressure.
Shakeel, who had reached his half-century on the opening day, continued to anchor the innings. He found valuable support from debutant Ghazi Ghori, with the pair adding 96 runs for the sixth wicket.
For much of the morning, Shakeel looked on course for a well-deserved century. But his innings ended on 93 from 199 deliveries when Asitha Fernando had him caught behind, leaving the left-hander just seven runs short of three figures.
Ghori also played his part, contributing 48 before departing.
Pakistan’s lower order kept the scoreboard moving, with debutant Arafat Minhas producing one of the day’s most entertaining knocks. The youngster struck 52 from 72 balls, hitting nine fours and a six to maintain the pressure on Sri Lanka’s bowlers.
Dilshan Madushanka eventually removed Minhas, while Razaullah chipped in with a quick 10 before Pakistan declared at 434 for nine in the 107th over.
Five half-centuries underline Pakistan’s batting depth
Pakistan’s first innings was built around contributions from across the batting order rather than one dominant individual performance.
Five batters passed fifty, including three players making their Test debuts.
Tayyab Arif scored 57, Mohammad Taha contributed 51 and Arafat Minhas added 52. Captain Babar Azam also reached his half-century, while Shakeel’s 93 remained the highest score of the innings.
The contributions from Pakistan’s newcomers were particularly encouraging, giving the hosts a substantial total and demonstrating the depth of their batting lineup.
For Sri Lanka, Fernando and Madushanka claimed three wickets apiece, but the visitors struggled to prevent Pakistan from building partnerships throughout the innings.
Saqib Khan strikes twice as Sri Lanka stumble
Sri Lanka’s reply began badly, with Mohammad Abbas dismissing opener Pasindu Sooriyabandara without scoring.
The early breakthrough gave Pakistan the opening they wanted, and debutant Saqib Khan soon added to Sri Lanka’s problems.
Saqib removed experienced batter Dinesh Chandimal for just one, putting the visitors under immediate pressure.
Lahiru Udara attempted to steady the innings with a determined 42, but his resistance ended when Saqib struck for the second time, with Ghazi Ghori completing the catch behind the stumps.
The two wickets capped an impressive opening spell for the debutant and left Sri Lanka searching for a way back into the contest.
Kamindu Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva offer resistance
With three wickets down, Sri Lanka needed a partnership to prevent the situation from deteriorating further.
Kamindu Mendis and captain Dhananjaya de Silva responded with an unbeaten 49-run stand
