Saud misses out on century again as Pakistan-Sri Lanka first Test ends in draw

Saud Shakeel narrowly missed out on a century for the second time in the match as the opening Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka ended in a draw at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday. The second Test of the two-match series will be played at the same venue from 17 November.

The left-handed batter scored 97 off 210 balls, including seven fours, as Pakistan finished their second innings at 284-8 in 84.5 overs on the fifth and final day with a lead of 272 runs.

Saud, who had scored 93 in the first innings, once again fell agonisingly short of the three-figure mark when he was bowled by Lahiru Kumara. His determined effort helped Pakistan secure a draw after the hosts had conceded a slender 12-run first-innings lead.

Resuming at 57-1, Pakistan suffered an early double setback as Azan Awais (22) and Mohammad Taha (24) departed without adding to their overnight scores.

Captain Babar Azam contributed 34 off 48 balls before Milan Rathnayaka dismissed him. Salman Agha managed 13 as Pakistan slipped to 125-5.

Saud then combined with wicketkeeper-batter Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (35) to add 92 runs for the sixth wicket. Following Ghazi’s dismissal, Arafat Minhas chipped in with 16, while Saud continued to hold firm before becoming the eighth batter dismissed on the final ball of the match.

Rathnayaka was Sri Lanka’s most successful bowler in the second innings with figures of 3-47, while Asitha Fernando and Kumara took two wickets each.

Pakistan debutant Saqib Khan was adjudged Player of the Match for his outstanding figures of 7-130 in Sri Lanka’s first innings.

Scores in brief:

Match drawn

Pakistan 434-9 dec (Saud Shakeel 93, Tayyab Arif 57, Arafat Minhas 52, Mohammad Taha 51, Babar Azam 50; Asitha Fernando 3-107, Dilshan Madushanka 3-108) and 284-8 (Saud Shakeel 97, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori 35, Babar Azam 34; Milan Rathnayaka 3-47, Asitha Fernando 2-35, Lahiru Kumara 2-65)

Sri Lanka 446 all out (Dhananjaya de Silva 167, Kusal Mendis 119, Kamindu Mendis 58; Saqib Khan 7-130, Mohammad Abbas 2-68)

Player of the Match: Saqib Khan (Pakistan)

source – PBC