Pakistan reached 57-1 in their second innings, holding a slender 45-run lead, when inclement weather forced an early end to the fourth day of the first Test against Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
The hosts, who posted 434-9 in their first innings, were forced to navigate a tricky period after losing opener Tayyab Arif for 11. Azan Awais and Mohammad Taha remained at the crease, unbeaten on 22 and 24 respectively, when play was abandoned.
The day was dominated by a remarkable performance from debutant Saqib Khan, who dismantled the Sri Lankan middle and lower order. Resuming on 446, Sri Lanka saw their first-innings advantage stifled as Saqib claimed five wickets in a blistering morning spell.
Saqib finished with outstanding figures of 7-130 from 34 overs. He broke the pivotal 249-run partnership between Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis, dismissing the former for 167 and the captain for 119 in consecutive overs, effectively shifting the momentum back to Pakistan.
Earlier in the innings, Sri Lanka had built a strong position through the efforts of De Silva and Mendis, who steered the visitors past Pakistan's total. Kamindu Mendis also provided stability with a contribution of 58, but the collapse on the fourth morning left Sri Lanka with a modest first-innings lead.
Mohammad Abbas provided valuable support to the debutant, claiming two wickets, while Razaullah accounted for the dismissal of Milan Rathnayaka. The Pakistani bowling unit successfully cleaned up the remaining six Sri Lankan wickets for just 42 runs.
The match remains finely poised heading into the final day, with Pakistan looking to set a challenging target for the visitors. The hosts will aim to build on their 45-run lead when play resumes, weather permitting.
Brief scores: Pakistan 434-9 and 57-1 (21.2 overs; Azan 22*, Taha 24*) lead Sri Lanka 446 (Dhananjaya 167, Kusal 119, Kamindu 58; Saqib 7-130, Abbas 2-?) by 45 runs.
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