Shakeel saves Pakistan after Rathnayake takes 7-47: 1st Test, Day 5 (Rawalpindi)

Pakistan and Sri Lanka played out a draw in the opening Test at Rawalpindi after an entertaining contest dominated by outstanding individual performances.

Pakistan declared their first innings at 434 for 9, with Saud Shakeel scoring 93, while Tayyab Arif (57), Arafat Minhas (52) and Mohammad Taha (51) made valuable contributions.

Sri Lanka responded with 446, taking a narrow 12-run lead, as Dhananjaya de Silva struck a magnificent 167 and Kusal Mendis contributed 119. Saqib Khan was Pakistan’s standout bowler, claiming an impressive 7 for 130.

Pakistan reached 284 for 8 in their second innings before the match ended in a draw, setting Sri Lanka a theoretical target after building an overall lead of 272 runs. Shakeel again led the batting with a determined 97, narrowly missing out on a second century, while Ghazi Ghori added 35.

Medium pacer Milan Rathnayake produced a superb bowling performance, taking 7 for 47 to restrict Pakistan’s progress. Despite the individual brilliance on both sides, neither team could force a result in the weather-affected Test.

Pakistan 434 for 9 dec and 284 for 8 (Shakeel 97, Ghori 35, Rathnayaka 7-47) vs Sri Lanka 446.

Nov 2026.