Pakistan's debutants continued to make an impression as the hosts tightened their grip on the opening Test against Sri Lanka, building a 320-run first-innings lead with seven wickets still in hand at the end of Day 2 in Rawalpindi on Tuesday.
Four newcomers featured in Pakistan's line-up, and three of them had already contributed half-centuries to the team's imposing total of 434-9 declared. Saud Shakeel came closest to a century but missed out on the milestone, falling for 93 after spending more than five and a half hours at the crease.
PAK vs SL 1st Test Day 2: Highlights | Scorecard
Sri Lanka, in reply, struggled against Pakistan's new-ball attack and ended the day at 114-3. Mohammad Abbas and debutant Saqib Khan struck early to reduce the visitors to 12-2, before Lahiru Udara's aggressive 42 offered some resistance. Saqib finished with figures of 2-54, while Abbas provided the breakthrough at the other end.
Saqib made an immediate impact in his first Test appearance, dismissing the experienced Dinesh Chandimal with a delivery that squared up the right-hander and found the edge. Abbas had earlier removed Pasindu Sooriyabandara for a duck, with the opener edging behind after being promoted to the top of the order.
Udara briefly threatened to revive Sri Lanka's innings with seven boundaries, but Saqib returned to remove him after a reprieve in the field. Kamindu Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva then steadied the innings, putting together an unbeaten 49-run stand for the fourth wicket. Mendis was batting on 40, while de Silva had contributed 22 when bad light forced an early close.
Earlier, Pakistan had added 153 runs to their overnight score of 281-5. Shakeel anchored the innings with a composed 193-ball knock, sharing important partnerships with wicketkeeper Ghazi Ghori (48) and Arafat Minhas (52).
Minhas played an attacking hand, striking nine fours and a six in his maiden Test half-century. Shakeel, meanwhile, fell just seven runs short of his first Test hundred since scoring one against England in 2024.
Asitha Fernando was Sri Lanka's most successful bowler, claiming 3-107 and reaching the milestone of 100 Test wickets.
The second successive day ended prematurely due to bad light, with nearly 26 overs lost on Tuesday. Pakistan, however, remain firmly in control heading into Day 3. - Ends
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