Saud Shakeel falls for 97 again as Pakistan-Sri Lanka first Test ends in draw
Synopsis
Saud Shakeel fell for 97 in both innings of the same Test — a rare and crushing near-miss that overshadowed a hard-fought draw. With debutant Saqib Khan's 7/130 in the first innings the standout performance, Pakistan avoided defeat despite handing Sri Lanka a 12-run first-innings lead. The second Test will reveal whether these near-misses mask a genuine competitive edge.
Key Takeaways
The first Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Test at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium ended in a draw on 14 November .
Saud Shakeel was dismissed for 97 in both innings — first-innings score of 93 and second-innings 97 off 210 balls — falling agonisingly short of a century twice in the same match.
Pakistan finished their second innings at 284/8 in 84.5 overs , holding a final lead of 272 runs .
Milan Rathnayaka took 3/47 for Sri Lanka in the second innings; Lahiru Kumara and Asitha Fernando took two wickets each.
Debutant Saqib Khan was named Player of the Match for his first-innings figures of 7/130 against Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka were bowled out for 446 in their first innings, taking a slender 12-run lead over Pakistan's 434/9 declared .
Saud Shakeel endured a second agonising near-miss in the same match, scoring 97 off 210 balls before being bowled by Lahiru Kumara on the final delivery, as the first Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Test concluded in a draw at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on 14 November. The hosts finished their second innings at 284/8 in 84.5 overs, ending the five-day contest with a lead of 272 runs — not enough to force a result.
Saud's Twin Near-Misses Define the Match
The left-handed middle-order batter became the central figure of the Test for all the wrong reasons — in the first innings he had scored 93, helping Pakistan post 434/9 declared, and his second-innings dismissal for 97 made him only the third player in Test history to fall in the nineties twice in the same match. His patient, 210-ball knock included seven fours and held Pakistan's batting together as wickets tumbled around him. The dismissal came on the very last ball of the match, adding a cruel symmetry to his twin near-centuries.
How Pakistan Navigated the Final Day
Pakistan resumed Day 5 at 57/1 but lost ground quickly. Azan Awais (22) and Mohammad Taha (24) departed without adding to their overnight scores, and Babar Azam — the Pakistan captain — was dismissed by Milan Rathnayaka for 34 off 48 balls, leaving the hosts precariously placed at 125/5. Salman Agha managed only 13 before departing, compounding the pressure. Saud then steadied the ship with a 92-run sixth-wicket partnership alongside wicketkeeper-batter Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, who contributed 35. After Ghori's dismissal, Arafat Minhas added a handy 16 as Pakistan negotiated to safety.
Sri Lanka's Bowling Effort
Rathnayaka was Sri Lanka's most effective bowler in the second innings, finishing with figures of 3/47. Asitha Fernando and Kumara each claimed two wickets. Despite the spirited bowling display, Sri Lanka were unable to press for victory, particularly after Sri Lanka had conceded a 12-run first-innings lead — the visitors were bowled out for 446, just 12 short of Pakistan's first-innings total.
Saqib Khan Wins Player of the Match
Pakistan debutant Saqib Khan was named Player of the Match for a remarkable debut, claiming outstanding figures of 7/130 in Sri Lanka's first innings — a spell that prevented Sri Lanka from seizing full control of the game and set the platform for Pakistan's eventual escape.
Brief Scores
Pakistan 434/9 declared and 284/8 in 84.5 overs (Saud Shakeel 97, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori 35; Milan Rathnayaka 3/47, Asitha Fernando 2/35, Lahiru Kumara 2/65) vs Sri Lanka 446. Match drawn.
The two sides now move to the second Test, where Pakistan will look to convert close calls into victories while Sri Lanka will seek a first win on Pakistani soil in this series.
Point of View
But they also point to a persistent question about Pakistan's batting temperament at the top of a pressure situation — can their most technically assured batter convert when the moment demands? The draw flatters both sides: Pakistan survived despite conceding a first-innings lead, while Sri Lanka's bowling — absent Rathnayaka — lacked the potency to close the match out. Saqib Khan's debut figures of 7/130 were the one unambiguous bright spot, and the second Test will test whether he can replicate that intensity against a Sri Lanka lineup now better acquainted with Rawalpindi conditions.
NationPress
14 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of the first Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Test in Rawalpindi?
The first Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium ended in a draw on 14 November. Pakistan finished their second innings at 284/8, holding a lead of 272 runs, but could not bowl Sri Lanka out a second time.
How did Saud Shakeel perform in the Rawalpindi Test?
Saud Shakeel scored 93 in the first innings and 97 in the second innings, missing a century in both attempts. His second-innings knock of 97 off 210 balls came to an end on the final delivery of the match when he was bowled by Lahiru Kumara.
Who won the Player of the Match award in the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka first Test?
Pakistan debutant Saqib Khan was named Player of the Match for his first-innings figures of 7/130 against Sri Lanka. It was a standout debut performance that helped restrict Sri Lanka's first-innings lead to just 12 runs.
How did Sri Lanka perform in the first Test against Pakistan?
Sri Lanka were bowled out for 446 in their first innings, taking a 12-run lead over Pakistan's declared total of 434/9. However, they could not dismiss Pakistan in the second innings to press for victory, settling for a draw.
Who were Sri Lanka's top bowlers in Pakistan's second innings?
Milan Rathnayaka was the most successful Sri Lanka bowler in Pakistan's second innings, taking 3/47. Asitha Fernando and Lahiru Kumara each took two wickets as Sri Lanka worked through Pakistan's batting order but could not secure all ten wickets.
