Pakistan declare at 434-9 after Saud Shakeel falls for 93 in Rawalpindi Test

RAWALPINDI: Saud Shakeel fell seven runs short of a century, out for 93, as Pakistan declared their first innings at 434 for 9 on the second day of the first Test against Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. Captain Babar Azam called the innings to a close with 106.3 overs bowled, and Sri Lanka began their reply, reaching 1 without loss after the first over.

Shakeel, unbeaten on 91 at lunch and seemingly certain of a hundred, lasted only a short while into the afternoon session. He was caught by Kusal Mendis off Asitha Fernando at 393 for 7 in the 100th over, his 199-ball innings containing nine fours. It was his 12th Test half-century, but the milestone he wanted — a first Test hundred in more than two years — stayed seven runs away.

Minhas reaches a maiden Test fifty
Debutant Arafat Minhas made sure the innings did not lose its shape after Shakeel’s departure, reaching a maiden Test fifty in his first match. He struck 52 from 72 balls, with nine fours and a six, before Dilshan Madushanka had him caught by Dhananjaya de Silva. Razaullah chipped in with 10 from 11 balls, and the pair’s brisk 41-run stand for the eighth wicket carried Pakistan past 400. Saqib Khan was unbeaten on nought when the declaration came.

Five fifties, three debutants
Five Pakistan batters reached fifty in the innings, three of them debutants — Tayyab Arif made 57, Mohammad Taha 51 and Minhas 52, while Babar Azam scored 50. Wicketkeeper Ghazi Ghori fell for 48 after a 96-run sixth-wicket stand with Shakeel. For Sri Lanka, Asitha Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka took three wickets each. The second Test of the series begins in Lahore on November 17.