Rawalpindi, November 12, 2026: Pakistan extended their overall lead over Sri Lanka despite losing opener Tayyab Arif early, reaching 57-1 in 21.2 overs before bad light and rain forced an early close to the fourth day’s play in the first Test at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
The hosts made a steady start, with Tayyab finding the boundary twice in the opening overs. However, Asitha Fernando trapped the right-handed batter leg-before-wicket for 11 off eight deliveries, leaving Pakistan at 15-1 after 2.2 overs.
Azan Awais and Mohammad Taha then steadied the innings with an unbeaten partnership, helping Pakistan extend their advantage.
At lunch, Azan was unbeaten on 16, while Taha had contributed 12. The pair continued to build the lead after the interval before deteriorating weather conditions forced the players off the field.
At the close of play, Pakistan were 57-1, holding an overall lead of 45 runs, with Azan unbeaten on 22 and Taha on 24.
Earlier, Sri Lanka had responded strongly to Pakistan’s first-innings total of 434-9, with Dhananjaya de Silva and captain Kusal Mendis sharing a commanding 249-run partnership as both scored centuries.
The visitors had suffered an early setback, losing two wickets for just 12 runs. Mohammad Abbas dismissed opener Pasindu Sooriyabandara for a seven-ball duck, before debutant Saqib Khan claimed his maiden international wicket by removing Dinesh Chandimal for one.
Lahiru Udara and Kamindu Mendis attempted to rebuild the innings with a 50-run partnership. However, Saqib struck again, dismissing Udara for 42 off 52 deliveries, including seven boundaries, to leave Sri Lanka at 65-3.
De Silva and Kusal then took control, frustrating Pakistan’s bowling attack with their substantial partnership. Kamindu also contributed a valuable 58 off 131 balls, hitting eight boundaries, before Abbas dismissed him after a 90-run stand with De Silva, leaving Sri Lanka at 155-4.
Pakistan staged an impressive comeback on the fourth morning, as Sri Lanka added only 42 runs before losing their remaining six wickets to finish at 446.
Saqib broke the 249-run partnership in the opening over of the morning session, dismissing De Silva for 167 off 246 deliveries, including 20 boundaries. He removed Kusal in the following over for 119 off 202 balls, featuring 10 boundaries and four sixes.
The debutant continued his outstanding performance, claiming the wickets of Sonal Dinusha (20), Lahiru Kumara (0) and Asitha Fernando (4). Razaullah dismissed Milan Rathnayaka for 12.
Saqib finished with impressive figures of 7-130 in 34 overs, while Abbas claimed two wickets and Razaullah took one.
