Saud Shakeel closed in on a century on Day 2 as Pakistan progressed to 390-6 against Sri Lanka at lunch at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
The home side added 109 runs to their overnight score of 281-5 during the morning session. Sri Lanka deployed a four-pronged pace attack on a greenish wicket that had earlier lured captain Kusal Mendis to bowl first after winning the toss. Asitha Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka spearheaded the visiting bowling attack, picking up two wickets apiece.
Presenting our Playing XI for the 1st Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi, led out for the very first time in Test matches by our new captain, Kusal Mendis! 🦁👑#PAKvSL pic.twitter.com/LSdagZI4hG
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Wicketkeeper-batter Ghazi Ghori fell just short of a maiden Test half-century. He was dismissed for 48 when he dabbed a delivery from left-arm seamer Dilshan Madushanka to Pasindu Sooriyabandara at gully.
That breakthrough required patience from the visiting attack. Ghori and Shakeel had shared a partnership of 96 runs, and the bowling side had to wait until the ninth over with the second new ball before claiming the wicket through a spectacular two-handed low catch taken by Sooriyabandara.
Tea in Rawalpindi! ☕️ Sri Lanka reach 42-2 at the interval, trailing Pakistan by 392 runs. Mohammad Abbas and Saqib Khan strike early to keep 🇵🇰 firmly on top!#PAKvSL | #CricketKaJashan pic.twitter.com/QlOQtavqOh
— Post by @TheRealPCB on X
Shakeel remained unbeaten on 91 off 192 balls, featuring nine boundaries. He was aiming for his first Test century since scoring one against England at the same venue in 2024, as the opposing pacers struggled to maintain consistent lines and lengths.
Arafat Minhas joined him on debut, showing immediate aggression. Minhas was unbeaten on 27 at the break, collecting four boundaries and a pulled six off Lahiru Kumara. He collected his first international runs by hitting two square-cut boundaries against Milan Rathnayake, with the first stroke grazing the fingertips of a leaping Sooriyabandara at gully, before putting together an unbroken 41-run partnership alongside Shakeel.
The wider squad selections for the series saw several alterations, including the reappointment of Babar Azam as captain. Pakistan also awarded a Test debut to fast bowler Saqib Khan as the management looked to expand their player pool for upcoming fixtures.
The ongoing two-match series forms part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle. Meanwhile, seventh-ranked Sri Lanka arrived after spending more than a month in the country, having previously dropped the T20I series 2-1 and lost the final of the ODI tri-series to the hosts.
Maiden Test wicket for Saqib Khan! 🙌 The debutant produces a beauty to dismiss Dinesh Chandimal as Pakistan claim their second breakthrough!#PAKvSL | #CricketKaJashan pic.twitter.com/CmIZWuFk0f
— Post by @TheRealPCB on X
Earlier coverage: Towhid Hridoy's Resistance Helps Secure Draw for Bangladesh vs WI
Stumps, Day 1: A hard-fought opening day in Rawalpindi comes to a close! 🏏 Pakistan finishes the day at 281/5.#PAKvSL pic.twitter.com/Lxvpwtf1Sz
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More on Sri Lanka
🏏 PAKISTAN DOMINATE AT LUNCH ON DAY 2 Pakistan: 390/6 (99 Overs) 💥 Saud Shakeel stands firm on 91 off 192 balls*, just 9 runs away from his century! 🎯 Sri Lanka managed only one wicket in the morning session, dismissing Ghazi Ghori for 48. 🔥 Pakistan continue to… pic.twitter.com/aWN0UVbCRO
— Post by @CricInformer on X
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka First Test 2026 as Saud Shakeel Leads Strong Pakistan Innings in Rawalpindi. Read full article: https://t.co/acu0j3DAw4#Pakistan #SriLanka #ODI #Cricket #ArabTimesNews
— Post by @arabtimesnews on X
