Five Pakistan batters, including three debutants, scored half-centuries as the hosts declared their first innings at 434-9 on the second day of the opening Test against Sri Lanka at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Pakistan made a confident start on the second day, with Saud Shakeel and Ghazi Ghori adding valuable runs to take the hosts past the 300-run mark.
The duo also brought up a 50-run partnership for the sixth wicket, putting the Sri Lankan bowling attack under pressure. Ghazi gradually grew in confidence and began scoring freely alongside Shakeel after initially struggling to negotiate the deliveries.
However, their 96-run partnership was eventually broken by Dilshan Madushanka, who dismissed wicketkeeper-batter Ghazi. The latter fell just two runs short of his maiden Test half-century, scoring 48 off 72 deliveries, including two boundaries, leaving Pakistan at 349-6 in 88.1 overs.
Arafat Minhas then joined Shakeel at the crease and announced his arrival in Test cricket in style, regularly finding the boundary while building a valuable partnership with the experienced batter.
The pair added 44 runs for the seventh wicket, with Shakeel closing in on his first Test century in nearly two years.
However, the middle-order batter fell seven runs short of the milestone as Asitha Fernando dismissed him for an impressive 93 off 199 deliveries, including nine boundaries. His departure left Pakistan at 393-7 in 100.2 overs.
Minhas and Razaullah then carried the innings forward, helping Pakistan cross the 400-run mark. The all-rounder raised his bat after bringing up his maiden Test half-century but was dismissed shortly afterwards by Madushanka for 52 off 72 deliveries, an innings featuring nine boundaries and a six.
Lahiru Kumara then removed Razaullah for 10 before Pakistan captain Babar Azam declared the innings at 434-9 in 106.3 overs.
Pacers Asitha Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka led Sri Lanka’s bowling attack, claiming three wickets each, while Lahiru Kumara, Milan Rathnayake and Sonal Dinusha chipped in with one wicket apiece.
Earlier, the hosts made an aggressive start on the opening day against Sri Lanka, with openers Azan Awais and debutant Tayyab Arif putting together an 86-run partnership.
Azan scored 30 off 50 deliveries, including seven fours, before falling to Milan Rathnayake in the 16th over. Tayyab followed in the next over, dismissed by Asitha Fernando after scoring 57 off 51 balls, including nine fours and a six.
Captain Babar Azam and fellow debutant Mohammad Taha steadied the innings, guiding Pakistan to 137-2 at lunch, with Babar unbeaten on 31 and Taha on 15.
The pair added 69 runs for the third wicket before Dilshan Madushanka dismissed Babar for 50 off 58 deliveries, including seven boundaries, leaving Pakistan at 159-3.
Saud Shakeel then joined Taha, and their 68-run partnership carried Pakistan beyond the 200-run mark. Taha completed his maiden Test half-century before Sonal Dinusha dismissed him for 51 off 105 balls, including six fours, leaving Pakistan at 227-4 in 55.1 overs.
Salman Ali Agha joined Shakeel and contributed 16 off 22 deliveries before becoming Asitha Fernando’s second victim. Shakeel continued confidently, registering his 12th Test half-century as Pakistan strengthened their position.