Pakistan maintained a slender 45-run advantage over Sri Lanka as persistent rain and deteriorating light conditions brought an abrupt end to the fourth day of the first Test at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
The home side reached 57-1 in their second innings when play was halted after just 21.2 overs, with Azan Awais unbeaten on 22 and Mohammad Taha contributing 24 runs. The weather disruption came at a crucial juncture as Pakistan looked to build on their narrow lead.
Pakistan’s second innings began with promise as opener Tayyab Arif struck two boundaries in the early overs. However, his stay proved brief when Asitha Fernando trapped him leg-before-wicket for 11, leaving the hosts at 15-1 within the first three overs.
Azan and Taha then combined to steady the innings through a composed partnership that carried Pakistan through to lunch and beyond the interval. Their cautious approach helped extend Pakistan’s overall advantage before the elements intervened, forcing players off the field and ending the day’s proceedings prematurely.
The day belonged to Pakistan’s bowling attack, particularly debutant Saqib Khan, who produced a match-defining performance in the morning session. Sri Lanka, resuming on their overnight position, collapsed dramatically as their last six wickets tumbled for just 42 runs.
Saqib struck immediately in the opening over, dismissing the well-set Dhananjaya de Silva for a magnificent 167. The right-arm pacer followed up by removing Sri Lankan captain Kusal Mendis for 119 in the very next over, breaking the backbone of the visitors’ innings.
The debutant’s inspired spell continued as he claimed three more wickets, finishing with exceptional figures of 7-130 from 34 overs. His victims included Sonal Dinusha, Lahiru Kumara, and Asitha Fernando as Sri Lanka’s innings folded for 446, giving Pakistan a narrow 12-run first-innings lead.
Sri Lanka had fought back strongly earlier in the match through a massive 249-run partnership between De Silva and Mendis, both of whom registered centuries. Kamindu Mendis also contributed a valuable 58 before Mohammad Abbas dismissed him.
The visitors had recovered from a disastrous start that saw them reduced to 12-2, with Abbas removing opener Pasindu Sooriyabandara for a duck and Saqib claiming his first international wicket by dismissing Dinesh Chandimal for one.
Pakistan’s first innings had reached 434-9, setting the foundation for their current advantage. Abbas supported Saqib’s heroics with two wickets, while Razaullah chipped in with one dismissal, accounting for Milan Rathnayaka.
With three days of play completed and weather continuing to threaten, both teams face an intriguing final day. Pakistan will look to build a substantial lead and potentially push for victory, while Sri Lanka must break through quickly to keep their hopes alive in Rawalpindi.
