Saud Shakeel 91 not out as Pakistan reach 390-6 at lunch on day two of Rawalpindi Test

RAWALPINDI: Saud Shakeel’s patient unbeaten 91 carried Pakistan to 390 for 6 at lunch on the second day of the first Test against Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. Resuming on 281 for 5, the hosts added 109 runs in the morning session for the loss of just one wicket, tightening their grip on the opening match of the two-Test series.

Shakeel, who had reached his half-century before bad light ended the opening day early, batted through the session with trademark restraint, striking nine fours in his 192-ball knock. He is now within sight of a first Test hundred in more than two years. At the other end, debutant Arafat Minhas gave him able support, unbeaten on 27 from 49 balls, including four fours and a six.

Ghori falls two short of fifty
The only wicket to fall in the session was that of wicketkeeper-batter Ghazi Ghori, who was caught by Pasindu Sooriyabandara off Dilshan Madushanka in the 89th over for 48. Ghori and Shakeel had put on 96 runs for the sixth wicket, a stand that kept Sri Lanka’s bowlers waiting for long stretches of the morning.

Four fifties on day one
Pakistan had finished the opening day on 281 for 5 in 67.2 overs after Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to field. Debutants Tayyab Arif (57) and Mohammad Taha (51) both made half-centuries, and captain Babar Azam added 50. Madushanka and Asitha Fernando have taken two wickets each for Sri Lanka, with Milan Rathnayake claiming one. Pakistan handed Test debuts to four players in this match, and with Shakeel set at the crease, the hosts will be eyeing a substantial first-innings total.