Saud Shakeel Nears Century as Pakistan Reach 390-6 Against Sri Lanka in First Test

Saud Shakeel moved within nine runs of a century on Tuesday as Pakistan reached 390-6 at lunch on the second day of the opening Test against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi, France 24 reported.

The left-hander resumed his innings and stood at 91 not out off 192 balls at the break, remaining nine short of what would be his fifth Test hundred.

Pakistan Added 109 Runs During the Morning Session

Pakistan began the day at 281-5 on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, and added 109 runs during an extended two-and-a-half-hour session. Sri Lanka had entered the day hoping for early wickets on a seemingly hard and green pitch, but their bowlers struggled despite taking the second new ball after 80 overs. Pace bowlers Asitha Fernando, who finished with 2-87, and Dilshan Madushanka, who claimed 2-97, emerged as the pick of the Sri Lanka attack.

Ghazi Ghori Fell After a 96-Run Partnership

The only wicket to fall during the morning session was Ghazi Ghori, who was dismissed for 48 after edging Madushanka to gully, where Pasindu Sooriyabandara held a low catch. Prior to his departure, Ghori and Shakeel put together a 96-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Following Ghori’s dismissal, Arafat Minhas joined Shakeel at the crease and was 27 not out at the interval.

Series Outlook

As the opening Test in Rawalpindi continues, attention also turns to the remainder of the series. The second and final Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka is scheduled to take place in Lahore starting from November 17, leaving the exact final total of Pakistan’s first-innings batting effort and the ultimate response from Sri Lanka’s batsmen still to be determined.