The Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Test match in Rawalpindi ended in a draw after Saud Shakeel made 97 to help Pakistan hold on in their second innings. Pakistan finished on 284 for 8, and Sri Lanka, who had claimed eight wickets, could not force a win in the first Test of the two-match series. Shakeel was bowled by Lahiru Kumara for 97 from 210 balls, three runs short of a century.
How the innings unfolded
Pakistan declared their first innings on 434 for 9 after 106.3 overs. A declaration means the batting captain closes the innings voluntarily, and here Pakistan still had one wicket in hand. Sri Lanka replied with 446 all out from 117.2 overs, which gave them a narrow lead of 12 runs and meant Pakistan had to bat through the final day to save the match.
Pakistan reached 100 in the 33rd over of their second innings. At the first drinks interval they were 104 for 3, with Babar Azam on 33 and Shakeel beginning to settle at the crease. The two added 50 runs for the fourth wicket, giving the innings some resistance, before Babar played a loose shot.
Shakeel then put on 50 runs from 70 deliveries with Ghazi Ghori, taking Pakistan past 200. He reached his half-century from 126 balls, hitting three boundaries. At the second drinks interval Pakistan were 203 for 5, with Shakeel unbeaten on 55 and Ghori on 25.
Final day and the draw
Sri Lanka took more wickets before tea, reducing Pakistan to 261 for 7 after 79.4 overs. Shakeel stayed on 81 and kept Pakistan's hopes of a draw alive. He was eventually bowled by Lahiru Kumara for 97 from 210 deliveries, including seven boundaries, falling three runs short of a century.
Sri Lanka claimed eight wickets in the innings, but Pakistan finished on 284 for 8 after 84.5 overs, and the contest ended in a draw. Match reports described Shakeel's patient innings as decisive in denying Sri Lanka victory, because his resistance under pressure helped Pakistan survive the last session.
What the draw means for the series
The Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Test match produced no winner, so neither side took a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. Sri Lanka had pushed hard for victory on the final day, and that push did not succeed. The two teams now move on to the second Test of the series.
