The first Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka is increasingly likely to end in a draw, with Pakistan securing a 139-run lead on the final day after losing five wickets in their second innings.
Sri Lanka made an early breakthrough when Lahiru Kumara dismissed Azan Awais for 22 on the very first delivery of the final day’s play. In the following over, Asitha Fernando removed Muhammad Taha, who scored 24.
With Pakistan reduced to three wickets down for 57 runs, captain Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel steadied the innings with a 50-run partnership.
Babar was dismissed for 34, while Salman Ali Agha departed after scoring 13 runs.
By the lunch interval, Pakistan had reached 151 for five, establishing a 139-run lead over Sri Lanka. Saud Shakeel was batting on 23, while Ghazi Ghori remained unbeaten on seven.
Play on the previous day had been cut short due to poor light, preventing the completion of two full sessions and reducing the available playing time.
Saqib Khan’s Seven-Wicket Haul Restricts Sri Lanka
Earlier, Saqib Khan produced an outstanding bowling performance on the fourth day, preventing Sri Lanka from building a substantial first-innings lead.
Sri Lanka resumed their innings at 404 for four, but Dhananjaya de Silva was dismissed by Saqib in the opening over without adding to his overnight score of 167.
De Silva had played a magnificent innings and shared a 249-run partnership with captain Kusal Mendis, putting Pakistan under considerable pressure.
Mendis, who had finished the third day unbeaten on 117, was also dismissed early on the fourth morning after adding just two runs.
Saqib continued his impressive spell by removing Sonal Dinusha for 20, Lahiru Kumara for a duck and Asitha Fernando for four.
Sri Lanka added only 42 runs to their overnight total while losing six wickets, finishing their first innings with a 12-run lead.
Saqib Khan became the fourth Pakistani bowler to claim seven wickets in an innings on Test debut. Mohammad Zahid, Mohammad Nazir and Abrar Ahmed had previously achieved the milestone.
Mohammad Abbas took two wickets, while Razaullah claimed one for Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Strong First-Innings Performance
Pakistan had declared their first innings at 434 for nine, building a competitive total through several important batting contributions.
Saud Shakeel scored 93 runs, while Tayyab Arif made 57, Arafat Minhas contributed 52, Muhammad Taha scored 51 and captain Babar Azam added 50.
For Sri Lanka, Asitha Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka were the leading bowlers, taking three wickets each.
With limited playing time remaining and Pakistan holding a 139-run advantage, the Rawalpindi Test is facing the prospect of a draw.