Pakistan Sri Lanka Test: Hosts 151-5 at Lunch

Pakistan Sri Lanka Test action reached a tense point on the final day in Rawalpindi, with the hosts 151 for five at lunch and holding a lead of 139 runs.

Sri Lanka fought back through the morning session on Friday, taking four wickets after Pakistan resumed their second innings at 57 for one. The first Test at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is now finely balanced, with two sessions left to decide the result.

Pakistan need quick runs before they can bowl at Sri Lanka again, while the visitors will believe they can still force a result.

Pakistan Sri Lanka Test: morning wickets for Sri Lanka

Azan Awais was the first batter to fall, out to the first ball of the day. Lahiru Kumara removed him for 22 off 66 balls, including three boundaries.

Asitha Fernando struck in the next over, dismissing Mohammad Taha for 24 off 57 balls, also with three boundaries. Pakistan were suddenly 57 for three, and the morning had turned against them.

Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel steadied the innings with a useful stand, taking Pakistan past 100. Their 50-run partnership ended when Milan Rathnayake dismissed the captain for 34 off 48 balls, an innings that included six boundaries. Pakistan were 107 for four.

Rathnayake struck again soon after, removing Salman Ali Agha for 13 off 19 balls, including two boundaries. At 126 for five, Sri Lanka were firmly on top.

Saud Shakeel and wicketkeeper Ghazi Ghori then helped Pakistan recover, guiding the total past 150 before the break. At lunch, Shakeel was unbeaten on 23 and Ghori was not out on seven.

Rain had cut short day four

Pakistan had made a steady start to their second innings on the fourth day. Opener Tayyab Arif found the boundary twice in the opening overs before Asitha Fernando trapped him leg before wicket for 11 off eight balls, leaving the hosts at 15 for one.

Azan Awais and Mohammad Taha then joined forces and steadied the innings, extending Pakistan’s lead through the afternoon. But bad light and rain forced the players off the field, bringing play to an early end with Pakistan at 57 for one after 21.2 overs.

Rain had already threatened the fourth day before play began, and the weather has shaped this Test from the start.

Sri Lanka recovered through centuries

Sri Lanka had responded strongly to Pakistan’s first-innings total of 434 for nine. Dhananjaya de Silva and captain Kusal Mendis led the recovery with a 249-run partnership, and both batters scored centuries.

The visitors had suffered an early setback on the second day, losing two wickets for 12 runs. Mohammad Abbas dismissed opener Pasindu Sooriyabandara for a seven-ball duck, before debutant Saqib Khan claimed his first international wicket by removing Dinesh Chandimal for one.

Lahiru Udara scored 42 before Saqib struck again to leave Sri Lanka at 65 for three.

De Silva and Kusal then took control, frustrating Pakistan’s bowlers. Kamindu Mendis scored 58 before Abbas dismissed him to leave Sri Lanka at 155 for four.

Saqib Khan seven wickets changed the match

Pakistan staged a strong comeback on the fourth morning. Sri Lanka added only 42 runs before losing their remaining six wickets to finish their first innings at 446.

Saqib struck in the opening over, dismissing the well-set De Silva for 167 off 246 balls, including 20 boundaries, to break the 249-run partnership. He removed Kusal in the next over for 119 off 202 balls, an innings that featured 10 boundaries and four sixes.

The debutant continued his remarkable spell, dismissing Sonal Dinusha for 20, Lahiru Kumara for nought and Asitha Fernando for four, while Razaullah accounted for Milan Rathnayake for 12.

Saqib finished with outstanding figures of seven for 130 in 34 overs, while Abbas claimed two wickets and Razaullah took one.

That spell set up the final-day contest now under way in Rawalpindi. The afternoon session will decide whether Pakistan can set a target and press for a win, or whether Sri Lanka can bat out the draw.

The women’s side has also been in winning form this week, and the board’s contract decisions will soon shape the men’s squad for the season ahead.

Frequently asked questions

What is the score in the Pakistan Sri Lanka Test?

Pakistan were 151 for five in their second innings at lunch on day five, holding an overall lead of 139 runs.

Who took the wickets on the final morning?

Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando and Milan Rathnayake, who took two, shared the four morning wickets for Sri Lanka.

How did Sri Lanka reach 446 in their first innings?

Dhananjaya de Silva scored 167 and Kusal Mendis 119 in a 249-run partnership, before Saqib Khan took seven wickets.

How many wickets did Saqib Khan take on debut?

Saqib Khan took seven wickets for 130 runs in 34 overs in Sri Lanka’s first innings.