MOHSIN ALI
RAWALPINDI: The opening Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka ended in a draw at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday after the weather-hit match saw the hosts declare their second innings at 284-8, stretching their overall advantage to 272 runs.
Saud Shakeel once again stood out for Pakistan but missed a century by three runs, dismissed for 97 as the home side strengthened its position before the two teams agreed to call off the contest as a draw.
Pakistan resumed their innings in the final session with Shakeel nearing what would have been his fifth Test hundred. The left-hander, however, was clean bowled by Lahiru Kumara after making 97 from 210 balls, an innings that included seven fours.
Razaullah was unbeaten at the other end when Pakistan declared at 284-8, after which the draw was agreed.
Earlier in the second session, Shakeel and Ghazi Ghori kept Pakistan moving ahead with a vital 92-run partnership, pushing the lead beyond 200. Shakeel completed his 13th Test half-century, while Ghori offered steady support before Milan Rathnayake removed him for 35 off 69 balls, including three boundaries.
Arafat Minhas then joined Shakeel and the pair added 44 runs, helping Pakistan cross 250. Dhananjaya de Silva broke that stand by dismissing Minhas for 16 off 29 deliveries after he had struck three boundaries.
Pakistan had resumed the fifth day at 57-1 with a 45-run lead but lost quick wickets in the top order. Azan Awais was dismissed by Lahiru Kumara for 22, while Asitha Fernando accounted for Mohammad Taha for 24.
Babar Azam and Shakeel steadied the innings with a useful 50-run partnership before Rathnayake removed Babar for 34 and Salman Ali Agha for 13, leaving Pakistan struggling at 125-5.
Earlier in the match, Sri Lanka had recovered after Pakistan’s bowlers struck early. Debutant Saqib Khan then produced a brilliant seven-wicket performance to bring Pakistan back into the contest, although Sri Lanka still managed a 12-run first-innings lead.
Replying to Pakistan’s first-innings total of 434-9 declared, Sri Lanka were reduced to 65-3 before Kamindu Mendis scored 58 and put on 90 runs with Dhananjaya de Silva.
De Silva and captain Kusal Mendis then shared a commanding 249-run partnership, with both batters reaching centuries to give Sri Lanka the upper hand.
Pakistan responded on the fourth morning by bowling Sri Lanka out for 446. Saqib finished with figures of 7-130, removing De Silva for 167, Kusal for 119 and three lower-order batters. Mohammad Abbas took two wickets, while Razaullah claimed one.
Batting first, Pakistan had declared their first innings at 434-9, with five batters scoring half-centuries, including three debutants. Shakeel top-scored with 93 off 199 balls, Tayyab Arif made 57 off 51, Arafat Minhas scored 52 off 72, Mohammad Taha contributed 51 off 105, and captain Babar Azam added 50 off 58 deliveries.
