Summary Babar Azam scored 34 as Pakistan reached 151-5, leading Sri Lanka by 139 runs on the final day of the rain-hit Rawalpindi Test.
RAWALPINDI (Dunya News) – Babar Azam's wait for a Test century continued as Sri Lanka took four wickets on the fifth and final day of the first Test, putting Pakistan under pressure in the weather-affected match in Rawalpindi on Friday.
Pakistan reached 151-5 at lunch in their second innings, holding an overall lead of 139 runs with five wickets remaining. Saud Shakeel was unbeaten on 23, while Ghazi Ghori was batting on seven when bad light forced a 20-minute interruption.
Sri Lanka made an early breakthrough when Lahiru Kumara dismissed overnight batter Azan Awais for 22 with the first ball of the day. Asitha Fernando struck in the following over, removing Mohammad Taha for 24 to leave Pakistan struggling at 57-3.
Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel attempted to stabilise the innings, adding 50 runs for the fourth wicket. However, Azam fell for 34 after playing a loose shot against Milan Rathnayaka, with a fielder at short square leg taking a simple catch. The dismissal extended his wait for a Test century to 42 innings.
Salman Agha also fell to Rathnayaka through a leg-side trap, departing for 13 as Pakistan slipped to 125-5. Rathnayaka claimed two wickets for 32 runs, while Fernando took two for 20.
Earlier, Pakistan had made a steady start to their second innings on the fourth day. Tayyab Arif scored 11 before being dismissed leg-before by Fernando, while Azan Awais and Mohammad Taha helped rebuild the innings through a partnership.
However, rain and poor light brought an early end to the day's play, with Pakistan at 57-1 after 21.2 overs.
In the first innings, Pakistan posted 434-9 before declaring. Sri Lanka responded with 446 runs, securing a 12-run lead.
The visitors initially struggled after losing two wickets for just 12 runs. Mohammad Abbas dismissed Pasindu Sooriyabandara for a duck, while debutant Saqib Khan removed Dinesh Chandimal for one.
Lahiru Udara and Kamindu Mendis then added 50 runs before Saqib dismissed Udara for 42. Kamindu subsequently shared a 90-run partnership with Dhananjaya de Silva, contributing 58 off 131 balls.
De Silva and Sri Lankan captain Kusal Mendis dominated the Pakistani bowling attack with a 249-run partnership, with both batters scoring centuries. Pakistan, however, fought back on the fourth morning, taking Sri Lanka's remaining six wickets for just 42 runs to bowl them out for 446.
Sri Lanka are seeking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
