Sri Lanka ended their first innings on 446 in 117.2 overs on day four of the first Test against Pakistan at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday. The total gave them a 12-run lead over Pakistan’s 434/9 declared.
Sri Lanka resumed on 404/4, 30 runs behind Pakistan. Dhananjaya de Silva added nothing to his overnight 167 and fell to Saqib Khan, caught by wicketkeeper Ghazi Ghori at 404/5. De Silva faced 246 balls and hit 20 fours.
Captain Kusal Mendis followed on 119 off 202 balls, with 10 fours and four sixes. Saqib had him caught by Salman Ali Agha at 412/6. Sri Lanka lost their last six wickets for 42 runs.
Saqib finished with 7/130 in 34.5 overs. He also removed Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Sonal Dinusha, Lahiru Kumara and Asitha Fernando. Mohammad Abbas took 2/68 in 33 overs, with 12 maidens. Razaullah took 1/140 in 26.2 overs, and Tayyab Arif caught Milan Rathnayake to end the innings. Debutant Arafat Minhas went wicketless for 92 runs in 21 overs, and Salman Ali Agha conceded nine runs in three overs. Ghori took five catches and Salman three.
Pakistan began their second innings with Azan Awais and Tayyab Arif. They reached 4/0 after 0.4 overs, with Awais on 4 and Arif on 0, and trail by eight runs. Fernando bowled the first over for Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka lost their top three on day two. Saqib dismissed Udara for 42 and Chandimal for 1, and Abbas removed Pasindu Sooriyabandara for a duck. Abbas also took Kamindu Mendis for 58 on day three.
Pakistan declared their first innings on day two after Saud Shakeel made 93. Five batters scored half-centuries, including three debutants: Arif made 57, Babar Azam 50, Mohammad Taha 51 and Minhas 52.
