Pakistan Strengthen Grip on Rawalpindi Test as Sri Lanka Lose Three Wickets
Pakistan remained firmly in control of the Rawalpindi Test at the close of day two, building a substantial first-innings lead before striking three times in Sri Lanka’s reply. The visitors finished on 114 for 3, still 320 runs behind Pakistan’s declared 434 for 9, with Kamindu Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva together at the crease after a late partnership steadied the innings.
Debutant Saqib Khan made a major contribution with the ball, claiming two wickets to interrupt Sri Lanka’s progress. However, the hosts were unable to press their advantage further before fading light brought another early finish. Nearly 45 overs have now been lost across the opening two days, a significant factor that could shape the match’s remaining timeline and any cricket prediction about the final result.
Shakeel Leads Pakistan’s Strong First-Innings Total
Pakistan resumed the day at 281 for 5, with Saud Shakeel and debutant Ghazi Ghouri well placed after putting together a 96-run partnership. Sri Lanka’s bowlers struggled to maintain consistent pressure, at times offering deliveries that were too short and allowing the pair to settle.
Ghouri looked increasingly comfortable as he approached a maiden Test half-century, but his innings ended just short of the milestone. A sharp catch at gully broke the stand and gave Sri Lanka a much-needed breakthrough. Arafat Minhas then joined Shakeel and brought an attacking approach, though the visitors quickly tested him with short-pitched bowling and a close fielder stationed at short leg.
Minhas survived a difficult moment on 10 when he fended a delivery from Lahiru Kumara toward the close-in fielder, only for the chance to go unclaimed. He responded immediately, striking a four and a six from the next two balls. His counterattack helped Pakistan maintain momentum while Shakeel continued to build his innings with measured control.
Shakeel Falls Seven Short of a Century
Shakeel’s approach was calm and disciplined rather than aggressive. He added only two boundaries during the morning session, but steadily advanced toward a century and looked set to anchor Pakistan’s innings deep into the day. On 93, however, Asitha Fernando ended his resistance. Attempting a pull shot, Shakeel gloved the ball through to the wicketkeeper, missing out on a deserved hundred.
The dismissal brought Minhas and the powerful Razuallah together as Pakistan moved beyond 400. Minhas continued to attack, finding the boundary regularly and reaching his first Test fifty with nine fours and a six. His innings gave the lower order valuable runs, but Dilshan Madhushanka eventually dismissed him to claim his third wicket of the innings.
Pakistan declared at 434 for 9, giving the bowlers a little more than a session to challenge Sri Lanka before the close. The total reflected contributions from several batters, including Shakeel’s 93 and Tayyab Arif’s 57, while Minhas added an important half-century late in the innings.
Abbas and Saqib Strike Early in Sri Lanka’s Reply
Mohammad Abbas opened the attack with three slips in place and immediately found movement off the surface. His control and seam movement made life difficult for Sri Lanka’s right-handed openers, and Pasindu Sooriyabandara was the first to fall. Abbas squared him up with a delivery that moved away late, giving Pakistan the early breakthrough.
Saqib followed soon after, finding Dinesh Chandimal’s outside edge in his next over. Sri Lanka had slipped to 12 for 2, and Pakistan had quickly turned its first-innings advantage into pressure on the visitors’ top order.
The bowlers continued to probe, but Lahiru Udara and Mendis managed to halt the slide. Udara showed attacking intent, taking three fours from one Saqib over and helping the pair bring up a 50-run partnership. His positive stroke play offered Sri Lanka a brief change of pace after the early wickets.
Saqib Claims His Second Wicket
Udara had a reprieve on 40 when he edged a delivery toward gully, where Mohammad Taha was unable to hold the catch. The missed opportunity briefly gave Sri Lanka hope of building a substantial partnership, but Saqib eventually had his man. Udara edged behind, departing for 42 and leaving the visitors at 65 for 3.
Mendis, who remained unbeaten on 40, then found an experienced partner in de Silva. The pair negotiated the closing period carefully, punishing loose deliveries when they appeared without taking unnecessary risks. Their unbeaten 49-run stand gave Sri Lanka some stability after a difficult start and prevented Pakistan from adding another wicket before stumps.
Both batters had moments of concern. De Silva narrowly avoided chopping the ball onto his stumps, while Mendis survived a run-out chance. As the light deteriorated, play continued under the lights, but conditions eventually forced the teams off the field early once again.
What Day Two Means for the Test
Pakistan will be pleased with their position: they have a 320-run lead, have removed three of Sri Lanka’s top-order batters and have kept the scoring under control. Saqib’s two wickets on debut add an encouraging storyline, while Abbas’s early strike demonstrated the value of disciplined seam bowling on a surface offering movement.
Sri Lanka, though, still have a route back into the contest. Mendis and de Silva must turn their promising stand into a substantial partnership, and the remaining batters will need to support them if the visitors are to reduce the deficit and avoid follow-on pressure. With so much time already lost to bad light, every session could carry extra importance.
Any cricket prediction remains uncertain, particularly with the weather and lost overs complicating the match outlook. Pakistan are clearly ahead, but Sri Lanka’s survival through the final phase of day two has preserved a chance to resist. The next session will be crucial: if Pakistan strike early, their grip could tighten considerably; if Mendis and de Silva settle in, the visitors may yet make the contest more competitive.
Day Two: Brief Scores
Pakistan: 434/9 declared (Saud Shakeel 93, Tayyab Arif 57; Asitha Fernando 3/107, Dilshan Madhushanka 3/108).
Sri Lanka: 114/3 (Lahiru Udara 42, Kamindu Mendis 40 not out; Saqib Khan 2/54, Mohammad Abbas 1/23), trailing by 320 runs.
