Pakistan and Sri Lanka draw first Test as Saud Shakeel leads resistance

Pakistan held Sri Lanka to a draw in the first Test match of their series in Rawalpindi on Friday. The final day of the contest was impacted by weather delays, allowing the home side to avoid defeat after a challenging second innings.

Pakistan finished their second innings on 284-8 when the two teams shook hands in the final session. The match, which saw significant time lost to rain and poor light, concluded with Pakistan leading by 272 runs with two wickets remaining.

Saud Shakeel was the standout performer for the hosts, scoring a determined 97 before being bowled by Lahiru Kumara. His innings was crucial in stabilizing the batting lineup after the team had slipped to 125-5 earlier in the day.

The ICC confirmed that Pakistan had begun the final day with a 45-run lead. Despite early losses including Azan Awais for 22 and Mohammad Taha for 24, Shakeel and Ghazi Ghori, who contributed 35, managed to keep the visitors at bay.

Milan Rathnayaka was the most successful bowler for Sri Lanka in the second innings, finishing with 3-47. Kumara and Asitha Fernando provided support with two wickets each, but they were unable to force a result before the match concluded.

In the first innings, Pakistan declared at 434-9. Sri Lanka responded with 446, led by Dhananjaya de Silva’s 167 and a century from captain Kusal Mendis, who scored 119. Debutant Saqib Khan impressed for Pakistan, taking 7-130.

Saqib Khan was named the Player of the Match for his seven-wicket haul on his Test debut. The performance was a highlight for the home side, who managed to restrict the Sri Lankan scoring despite the visitors holding a 12-run first-innings lead.

The second and final Test of the series will also take place in Rawalpindi, starting on Tuesday. The fixture was relocated from Lahore due to concerns regarding worsening smog levels in the region.

Brief scores: Pakistan 434-9 (declared) and 284-8 (Saud Shakeel 97, Ghazi Ghori 35; Milan Rathnayaka 3-47) drew with Sri Lanka 446 (Dhananjaya de Silva 167, Kusal Mendis 119; Saqib Khan 7-130).