After 3 days of wet weather, both teams had batting practice on the fifth and final day of the first Test match played at Rawalpindi Stadium, Rawalpindi on Sunday. With this draw, both teams earned 20 points in the ICC Test championship points table.
Starting on the overnight score of 282 for 6, Dhanajaya de Silva played with confidence and reached his century off 165 balls. The Sri Lankan captain Karurante decided to declare their innings on 308 for 6.
In their reply, Shan Masood played a loose stroke and was dismissed by Rajitha for 0. Abid Ali and Azhar Ali looked impressive with their stroke play making the batting look easy. It was a good batting display by Abid who was not given a chance in the XI during Australia tour. At lunch break, Pakistan were 54 for 1.
After the lunch break, Abid Ali made the batting look easy and reached his fifty off 95 balls. Lahiru Kumara dismissed Azhar Ali for 36. Azhar and Abid added 87 runs for the 2nd wicket. Babar Azam came to the crease and showed his class again. The Sri Lankan captain used their part time bowlers. At tea break, Pakistan scored 177 for 2.
In the 3rd session, Babar Azam reached his fifty off 70 balls. Abid Al looked impressive with his stroke play and reached his maiden Test century off 183 balls. Babar continued his superb form and reached his century too off 118 balls. Pakistan scored 252 for 2 with Babar and Abid adding 162 runs for the 3rd wicket.
It was a damp squib as rain affected in the entire match. With less overs bowled on day 2, day 3 and no play possible on day 4, the match was headed towards a draw.
Pakistan 252 for 2 in 70 overs ( Abid Ali 109*, Babar Azam 102*, Kumara 1/46, Rajitha 1/6) draw Sri Lanka 308 for 6 in 97 overs ( Dhanajaya de Silva 102*, Karurante 59, Shaheen Shah Afridi 2/58, Naseem Shah 2/92)
Abid Ali was named the man of the match for his 109 not out. The 2nd and deciding Test match will be played at National Stadium, Karachi from 19th December.
