RAWALPINDI: Saud Shakeel fell agonisingly short of a century for the second time in the match, but his determined 97 helped Pakistan escape with a draw against Sri Lanka in the first Test at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday.
Pakistan were under serious pressure on the final day after losing five wickets before lunch. Sri Lanka sensed an opportunity to force a result, but Shakeel refused to give in, holding the innings together as Pakistan reached 284-8 before the teams agreed to end the match.
The left-hander had already scored 93 in the first innings and once again showed his ability to handle pressure. His second-innings knock lasted 210 balls and included seven boundaries before Lahiru Kumara finally ended his resistance.
Shakeel and Ghori frustrate Sri Lanka
Pakistan’s position looked increasingly difficult when they slipped to 125-5, with Sri Lanka’s bowlers making early inroads.
Shakeel found a reliable partner in Ghazi Ghori, who contributed a valuable 35. Together, they added 92 runs for the sixth wicket, gradually taking the game away from Sri Lanka.
The partnership proved crucial. While Shakeel kept the scoreboard moving, Ghori provided the support Pakistan needed to survive a difficult final day.
Sri Lanka continued to push for wickets, but the visitors could not break through quickly enough to put themselves in a position to win.
Milan Rathnayaka finished as Sri Lanka’s most successful bowler with figures of 3-47. Asitha Fernando and Lahiru Kumara picked up two wickets apiece.
Early wickets put Pakistan under pressure
Sri Lanka began the final morning with renewed energy, and it took just one delivery for Kumara to make an impact.
He removed overnight batter Azan Awais for 22 with the first ball of the day. Fernando followed in the next over, dismissing Mohammad Taha for 24 as Pakistan slipped to 57-3.
Captain Babar Azam joined Shakeel and briefly steadied the innings. The pair added 50 runs for the fourth wicket before Rathnayaka dismissed Babar for 34, with the Pakistan captain falling into a carefully placed leg-side field.
Salman Agha also struggled to settle and departed for 13, leaving Pakistan in trouble at 125-5.
By lunch, Pakistan were 151-5, holding a lead of only 139 runs. Sri Lanka still had hopes of forcing a victory, but Shakeel’s resistance eventually shut the door.
Saqib Khan’s seven wickets keep Pakistan in the contest
The match had already witnessed several dramatic shifts in momentum.
Pakistan declared their first innings at 434-9, but Sri Lanka responded strongly through centuries from Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis.
The visitors appeared set for a substantial first-innings advantage before Pakistan debutant Saqib Khan produced an outstanding spell.
Sri Lanka lost their final four wickets for just 42 runs, slipping from 404-6 to 446 all out.
Saqib finished with impressive figures of 7-130, giving Pakistan a way back into the contest after Sri Lanka’s middle-order dominance.
Weather denies both teams a decisive result
Rain interruptions and fading light repeatedly disrupted play throughout the five days.
A total of 117 overs were lost to poor weather and light, leaving both teams with limited time to push for victory.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam acknowledged the efforts of Sri Lanka’s batters while praising Saqib’s contribution with the ball.
“We should also give credit to Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis for the way they built the partnership before Saqib bowled superbly,” Babar said.
Kusal Mendis, meanwhile, felt Sri Lanka had missed an opportunity to take control earlier in the match.
“We won a good toss but did not do well in the first session, and that’s where we need to learn. But overall I am happy,” he said.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka turn attention to second Test
The draw leaves the two-match series level at 0-0.
For Pakistan, Shakeel’s twin innings of 93 and 97 were among the biggest positives, while Saqib’s seven-wicket haul offered encouragement for the bowling attack.
Sri Lanka will take confidence from their strong batting performance but may reflect on the opportunities they failed to convert.
Both teams will meet again at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, November 17, for the second and final Test, with the series still up for grabs.
