RAWALPINDI — Pakistan and Sri Lanka played out a draw in the opening Test of the ICC World Test Championship series after five days of gripping cricket, with Saud Shakeel’s gritty 97 ensuring the hosts avoided defeat on Friday.
Pakistan, who resumed the final day at 57/1 with a 45-run lead, finished their second innings at 284/8, denying Sri Lanka an opportunity to bat again and leaving the visitors without a chance to push for victory.
The hosts suffered an early setback on Day 5, losing Azan Awais (22) and Mohammad Taha (24) to Lahiru Kumara and Asitha Fernando, respectively.
Skipper Babar Azam scored 34 before being dismissed by Milan Rathnayaka, while Salman Agha managed 13. Ghazi Ghori contributed 35, but Shakeel held firm at the other end to keep Sri Lanka’s bowlers at bay.
Shakeel, who had scored 93 in Pakistan’s first innings, struck seven boundaries during his determined 150-ball knock of 97. He looked set to complete a century but was bowled by Kumara just three runs short of the milestone.
Rathnayaka was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers, claiming three wickets for 47 runs, while Kumara and Fernando took two wickets each.
Earlier, Pakistan had declared their first innings at 434/9 after opting to bat first. Sri Lanka responded with 446, securing a 12-run lead, powered by centuries from Dhananjaya de Silva (167) and Kusal Mendis (119).
Pakistan’s debutant Saqib Khan, who claimed seven wickets in the match, was named Player of the Match. — (KIMS)