Pakistan, Sri Lanka settle for a draw in Rawalpindi
Saud Shakeel's gritty 97 ensures Sri Lanka are denied a second innings as the opening Test ends in a draw.
The opening Test of the ICC World Test Championship series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka ended in a hard-fought draw following five days of gripping cricket in Rawalpindi.
Pakistan, who began the final day with a 45-run lead, battled hard with the bat to close the day with 284/8 in their second innings, ensuring that Sri Lanka didn't get to bat in the second innings.
Resuming Day 5 at 57/1, Pakistan suffered an early double blow, losing Azan Awais (22) and Mohammad Taha (24. Lahiru Kumara and Asitha Fernando were the respective wicket-takers.
Skipper Babar Azam dug in for 34 before falling to Milan Rathnayaka, while Salman Agha followed him back to the pavilion a few overs later after scoring 13.
Ghazi Ghori chipped in with a valuable 35, but it was Saud Shakeel who stood firm at the other end, keeping Sri Lanka at bay with a determined knock.
The batter who top-scored in the first innings for Pakistan with 93 added seven boundaries during his determined knock.
Shakeel looked set for a century, but his resistance came to an end just three runs short of the milestone when Kumara bowled him, bringing the Test to a close.
Rathnayaka was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers with figures of 3/47, while Kumara (2/65) and Fernando (2/35) claimed two wickets apiece.
Earlier, Pakistan had opted to bat first and declared their first innings at 434/9. Sri Lanka responded with 446, taking a 12-run lead on the back of outstanding centuries from Dhananjaya de Silva (167) and Kusal Mendis (119).
Saqib Khan, who snapped seven wickets in his debut Test was named the Player of the Match.
Series Schedule:
1st Test - November 9 to 13, Rawalpindi [Match drawn]
2nd Test - November 17 to 21, Rawalpindi
