The first Test of the two-match series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka ended in a hard-fought draw at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday. Play time was significantly reduced due to persistent rain over the first four days, preventing either team from progressing towards a decisive result. However, the final day saw a thrilling contest in which Sri Lanka's fast bowlers threatened their chances of victory and Saud Shakeel played two impressive innings.
Tayyab Arif and Saud Shakeel take Pakistan to 434/9
sri lanka captain Kusal Mendis won the toss and decided to bowl as the fast bowlers were getting assistance on the pitch. Pakistan's openers made an aggressive start, with the debutant Tayyab Arif Scored 57 runs in 51 balls. They azaan awais Made an opening partnership of 86 runs with , who contributed 30 runs.
Milan Rathnayake And Asitha Fernando soon dismissed both the openers, but Babar Azam (50) and mohammed taha (51) led the innings with important half-centuries. After this Shakeel took over the responsibility of middle order, wicketkeeper Ghazi Ghori (48) and made an important sixth wicket partnership of 96 runs.
The left-hander missed his century, scoring 93 runs to take Pakistan to 434/9 when the innings was declared, which took 106.3 overs. Dilshan Madushanka And Asitha took three wickets each for Sri Lanka.
Kusal Mendis and Dhananjay de Silva kept Sri Lanka in control
Sri Lanka produced a strong batting response, including captain Mendis and Dhananjay de Silva A brilliant partnership of 249 runs was included between. Mendis scored 119, making him the first Sri Lankan to score a century in his first Test as captain. De Silva provided brilliant support with 167, taking the visitors to 404/4.
However, Pakistan's debutant Saqib Khan turned the game around with a brilliant bowling performance on the morning of the fourth day. He took advantage of the available movement to dismiss De Silva in the first over and then began a wonderful collapse.
Sri Lanka lost their last six wickets for just 42 runs and were all out for 446 runs, giving them a 12-run first innings lead. Shakib finished with figures of 7/130, the fourth best bowling figures by a Pakistani bowler on Test debut.
Sri Lanka's bowling efforts on the last day remained incomplete
Rain interrupted Pakistan's second innings on the afternoon of the fourth day, with the hosts reaching 57/1, before play was halted. Sri Lanka made an aggressive start on the final morning, when Lahiru Kumara And Asitha took two wickets in the first six balls. Awais (22) and Taha (24) were out without making any contribution to their night's score.
Babar (34) and Salman Ali Agha (13) also fell into the Sri Lankan leg-side trap, leaving Pakistan struggling at 125/5. When an unlikely victory appeared, the visiting team kept up the pressure. Shakeel once again stood between Sri Lanka and victory. He scored 97 despite a painful shoulder injury and avoiding a close LBW review. Ghori (35) and Arifat Minhas (16) provided vital support, taking Pakistan to 284/8.
As time ran out, both captains finally agreed to end the match. The first Test ended in a draw, leaving the two-match series tied at 0–0.