RAWALPINDI, Pakistan, November 10, 2026: Pakistan’s new-look Test side tightened its grip on Sri Lanka through a combination of experienced batting and debutant contributions on Tuesday, declaring at 434/9 before reducing the visitors to 114/3 on Day 2 of the first Test at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Saud Shakeel anchored the innings with 93, Arafat Minhas scored 52 on debut, and another newcomer, Saqib Khan, took two wickets to leave Sri Lanka trailing by 320 runs when bad light stopped play.
Pakistan had threatened to run away with the contest after Mohammad Abbas and Saqib reduced Sri Lanka to 12/2 inside four overs. But Kamindu Mendis, unbeaten on 40, and Dhananjaya de Silva, 22 not out, steadied the innings after Lahiru Udara’s departure for 42. Their unbroken 49-run partnership ensured the visitors retained seven wickets and a realistic route back into the match, even as Pakistan carried the stronger position into Day 3.
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 1st Test: Day 2 Score and Match Situation
Pakistan added 153 runs to their overnight 281/5 before Babar Azam declared with nine wickets down. Sri Lanka’s response began badly, improved through Udara and Kamindu, and ended prematurely because of fading light.
| Match Detail | Situation at Stumps |
|---|---|
| Match | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test |
| Competition | ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 |
| Venue | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium |
| Dates | November 9-13, 2026 |
| Toss | Sri Lanka elected to field |
| Pakistan first innings | 434/9 declared, 106.3 overs |
| Sri Lanka first innings | 114/3, 27.1 overs |
| First-innings deficit | Sri Lanka trail by 320 runs |
| Pakistan’s leading scorer | Saud Shakeel, 93 |
| Sri Lanka’s leading scorer | Lahiru Udara, 42 |
| Pakistan’s leading bowler | Saqib Khan, 2/54 |
| Unbeaten batters | Kamindu Mendis 40, Dhananjaya de Silva 22 |
| Day 3 scheduled start | 9:30 a.m. Pakistan Standard Time |
Scores were confirmed through the Pakistan Cricket Board’s Day 2 report and the ICC’s official match scorecard.
Story at a glance
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 1st Test: Day 2 Score and Match Situation
Pakistan added 153 runs to their overnight 281/5 before Babar Azam declared with nine wickets down. Sri Lanka’s response began badly, improved through Udara and Kamindu, and ended prematurely because of fading light.
Saud Shakeel’s 93 Gives Pakistan the Foundation They Needed
For much of the second morning, Sri Lanka could find no way past Saud Shakeel.
Arafat Minhas Turns His Test Debut Into a Statement
For Arafat Minhas, the second day provided the opportunity to translate his white-ball promise into Test cricket.
Pakistan’s Complete First-Innings Batting Scorecard
Fall of wickets: 86/1 (Azan Awais, 15.6), 90/2 (Tayyab Arif, 16.4), 159/3 (Babar Azam, 34.5), 227/4 (Mohammad Taha, 55.1), 253/5 (Salman Agha, 63.2), 349/6 (Ghazi Ghori, 88.1), 393/7 (Saud Shakeel, 100.2), 434/8 (Arafat Minhas, 105.1), 434/9 (Razaullah, 106.3).
Why Sri Lanka Could Not Control Pakistan’s Lower Order
Sri Lanka had opportunities to restrict Pakistan more effectively, particularly after removing five batters for 253.
Saud Shakeel’s 93 Gives Pakistan the Foundation They Needed
For much of the second morning, Sri Lanka could find no way past Saud Shakeel.
The left-hander resumed on 57, with Pakistan at 281/5, and continued to absorb pressure while ensuring the overnight advantage was not wasted. His 93 came from 199 deliveries, with nine boundaries, and occupied the central position in Pakistan’s innings.
Saud’s most valuable contribution was his ability to build partnerships with two different batting partners whose roles required different approaches.
Ghazi Ghori, unbeaten on seven overnight, played with greater urgency as the pair extended their sixth-wicket partnership to 96. Ghori struck 48 from 72 deliveries, including two fours, before Dilshan Madushanka removed him in the 89th over.
The partnership took Pakistan from 253/5 to 349/6. Those 96 runs gave the hosts the freedom to pursue a total beyond 400 without depending entirely on the tail.
Saud’s composure also represented a notable response to Pakistan’s difficult Test series in England. During the September tour, he frequently provided resistance without enough sustained support from the other end. TSE’s assessment of England’s 3-0 series victory highlighted the batting weaknesses that Pakistan needed to address.
Rawalpindi offered a different picture. This time, Pakistan’s leading batter received meaningful support from the players around him.
Asitha Fernando Denies Saud a Century
Saud reached lunch on 91, with Pakistan 390/6. A century appeared within reach, but he added only two more runs.
Asitha Fernando eventually dismissed the left-hander for 93 in the 101st over, with wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis completing the catch.
It was a significant personal moment for Fernando, who reached 100 Test wickets with the dismissal.
Saud’s seven-run shortfall was disappointing, but his innings had already transformed Pakistan’s position. He was central to moving the score from 159/3 when he arrived to 393/7 when he departed.
His contribution offered another reminder of the value of occupying the crease. In the Edgbaston Test collapse against England, Pakistan had been dismissed for just 133. Their much more substantial total in Rawalpindi was built through a succession of partnerships rather than one isolated rescue act.
Arafat Minhas Turns His Test Debut Into a Statement
For Arafat Minhas, the second day provided the opportunity to translate his white-ball promise into Test cricket.
Arriving with Pakistan at 349/6, the left-handed all-rounder played positively alongside Saud before continuing the innings after the senior batter’s dismissal.
His 52 from 72 balls included nine boundaries and a six. He reached his maiden Test half-century from 70 deliveries and finished with a strike rate of 72.22.
The importance of Minhas’s innings becomes clearer when examining Pakistan’s lower-order contribution.
Pakistan had been 227/4 when Mohammad Taha was dismissed on Day 1. They eventually declared at 434/9, adding another 207 runs while losing five wickets.
Minhas supplied 52 of those runs personally, while Ghori’s 48 provided another substantial contribution. Their efforts prevented Sri Lanka from restricting Pakistan to a total closer to 300.
Minhas had already shown his all-round ability in limited-overs cricket. He scored 59 and claimed six wickets against England in the ODI tri-series, a performance examined in TSE’s report on his decisive six-wicket spell and batting contribution.
He also played a prominent role in Pakistan’s record 326-run chase against Sri Lanka in the ODI tri-series final, scoring 61 from 31 deliveries.
Test cricket demands a different balance between scoring and occupation, but his first innings suggested he could make an impact without abandoning his attacking instincts.
Pakistan’s Complete First-Innings Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Dismissal | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Azan Awais | c Kusal Mendis b Rathnayaka | 30 | 50 | 7 | 0 | 60.00 |
| Tayyab Arif | c Kusal Mendis b Fernando | 57 | 51 | 9 | 1 | 111.76 |
| Mohammad Taha | c de Silva b Dinusha | 51 | 105 | 6 | 0 | 48.57 |
| Babar Azam (c) | c Kusal Mendis b Madushanka | 50 | 58 | 7 | 0 | 86.20 |
| Saud Shakeel | c Kusal Mendis b Fernando | 93 | 199 | 9 | 0 | 46.73 |
| Salman Agha | c Kusal Mendis b Fernando | 16 | 22 | 2 | 0 | 72.72 |
| Ghazi Ghori (wk) | c Sooriyabandara b Madushanka | 48 | 72 | 2 | 0 | 66.66 |
| Arafat Minhas | c de Silva b Madushanka | 52 | 72 | 9 | 1 | 72.22 |
| Razaullah | c Fernando b Kumara | 10 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 90.90 |
| Saqib Khan | Not out | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Mohammad Abbas | Did not bat | – | ||||
| Extras | 15 byes, 3 leg-byes, 6 no-balls, 3 wides | 27 | – | |||
| Total | 434/9 declared | 106.3 overs, run rate 4.07 | ||||
Fall of wickets: 86/1 (Azan Awais, 15.6), 90/2 (Tayyab Arif, 16.4), 159/3 (Babar Azam, 34.5), 227/4 (Mohammad Taha, 55.1), 253/5 (Salman Agha, 63.2), 349/6 (Ghazi Ghori, 88.1), 393/7 (Saud Shakeel, 100.2), 434/8 (Arafat Minhas, 105.1), 434/9 (Razaullah, 106.3).
Why Sri Lanka Could Not Control Pakistan’s Lower Order
Sri Lanka had opportunities to restrict Pakistan more effectively, particularly after removing five batters for 253.
Instead, Ghori and Saud added 96 before Minhas helped build another useful partnership. The hosts added 181 runs after the fifth wicket fell.
Asitha Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka finished with three wickets each, but neither could consistently disrupt the partnerships that defined Pakistan’s second-day batting.
Sri Lanka’s First-Innings Bowling Figures
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asitha Fernando | 26 | 2 | 107 | 3 | 4.11 |
| Dilshan Madushanka | 23 | 3 | 108 | 3 | 4.69 |
| Lahiru Kumara | 23.3 | 1 | 104 | 1 | 4.42 |
| Milan Rathnayaka | 25 | 2 | 72 | 1 | 2.88 |
| Dhananjaya de Silva | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0.66 |
| Sonal Dinusha | 6 | 0 | 23 | 1 | 3.83 |
Rathnayaka was Sri Lanka’s most economical frontline seamer, conceding 72 runs in 25 overs. Fernando and Madushanka took six wickets between them but conceded 215 runs.
The difference highlights Sri Lanka’s challenge. Wicket-taking deliveries were available, but Pakistan kept scoring quickly enough to turn individual half-centuries into a substantial team total.
Sri Lanka’s previous meetings with Pakistan had exposed how dramatically batting performances could fluctuate. TSE documented Pakistan’s collapse for 110 against Sri Lanka in the ODI tri-series, a result that made the hosts’ current batting response particularly noteworthy, even allowing for the different format.
Mohammad Abbas and Saqib Khan Leave Sri Lanka Reeling at 12/2
Pakistan’s decision to declare shortly after passing 430 gave the fast bowlers an opportunity to attack Sri Lanka before the close.
Mohammad Abbas wasted little time. His disciplined opening spell forced Pasindu Sooriyabandara to play defensively before the opener edged to wicketkeeper Ghazi Ghori without scoring.
Sri Lanka were 7/1 in the third over.
Debutant Saqib Khan then dismissed Dinesh Chandimal for one, with Salman Agha completing the catch.
At 12/2 after 3.3 overs, Sri Lanka were already under considerable pressure. Their two early wickets had fallen before the visitors could establish a meaningful opening partnership.
The contrast between Pakistan’s bowlers was revealing.
Abbas relied on control and repeatedly forced the batters to defend. Saqib conceded runs more freely but delivered two breakthroughs, including the later dismissal of Lahiru Udara.
Abbas’s command was particularly significant considering Pakistan’s previous Test struggles. In the Edgbaston Test against England, Pakistan’s bowlers and lower-order batters had fought to keep the team competitive, but the match eventually slipped away.
This time, Pakistan’s fast bowlers began with a large first-innings total supporting them.
Pakistan’s Bowling Figures at Stumps
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammad Abbas | 9 | 4 | 23 | 1 | 2.55 |
| Saqib Khan | 10.1 | 1 | 54 | 2 | 5.31 |
| Razaullah | 7 | 1 | 32 | 0 | 4.57 |
| Arafat Minhas | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1.00 |
Abbas delivered four maiden overs out of nine, conceding just 23 runs. Saqib’s two wickets came at a higher cost, but their combined figures of 3/77 gave Pakistan the advantage.
Kamindu Mendis Rescues Sri Lanka After the Early Damage
Sri Lanka’s position could have deteriorated further after losing two wickets for 12.
Instead, Lahiru Udara and Kamindu Mendis rebuilt through a 53-run third-wicket partnership.
Udara attacked when deliveries offered scoring opportunities, reaching 42 from 52 balls with seven fours. His strike rate of 80.76 prevented Pakistan from completely dictating the scoring tempo.
Kamindu adopted a more measured approach, focusing on maintaining his wicket while helping Udara put pressure back on the bowlers.
The partnership ended when Saqib dismissed Udara for 42, caught behind by Ghazi Ghori in the 17th over.
At 65/3, Pakistan had another opening.
Yet Kamindu and Dhananjaya de Silva negotiated the remainder of the shortened session, adding 49 unbeaten runs before bad light intervened.
Why Kamindu’s Unbeaten 40 Matters
Kamindu’s 40 came from 78 balls, including five fours. His strike rate of 51.28 reflected the more controlled role he played after the early dismissals.
He was particularly important because Sri Lanka needed one batter to remain at the crease while the rest of the lineup adjusted to the conditions.
De Silva complemented that approach with 22 from 28 balls, striking two boundaries and scoring at 78.57.
The pair’s 49-run stand developed at an overall rate of 4.90 runs per over during the final 10 overs of Sri Lanka’s innings.
They reduced the immediate pressure, although the size of Pakistan’s first-innings total still leaves Sri Lanka with considerable work ahead.
Kamindu’s involvement also adds another chapter to the recent rivalry. He previously shared an unbeaten 98-run partnership with Kusal Mendis in Sri Lanka’s victory in the third T20I at Rawalpindi, covered in TSE’s report on Kusal Mendis’s match-winning innings.
Sri Lanka’s First-Innings Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lahiru Udara | c Ghazi Ghori b Saqib Khan | 42 | 52 | 7 | 0 | 80.76 |
| Pasindu Sooriyabandara | c Ghazi Ghori b Abbas | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Dinesh Chandimal | c Salman Agha b Saqib Khan | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 33.33 |
| Kamindu Mendis | Not out | 40 | 78 | 5 | 0 | 51.28 |
| Dhananjaya de Silva | Not out | 22 | 28 | 2 | 0 | 78.57 |
| Extras | 4 byes, 5 no-balls | 9 | – | |||
| Total | 114/3 | 27.1 overs, run rate 4.19 | ||||
Yet to bat: Kusal Mendis (c/wk), Sonal Dinusha, Milan Rathnayaka, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka.
Fall of wickets: 7/1 (Sooriyabandara, 2.2), 12/2 (Chandimal, 3.3), 65/3 (Udara, 16.5).
What Changed Between Pakistan’s Declaration and Stumps?
Pakistan’s advantage emerged from two separate phases: the lower-order batting that extended their total and the new-ball wickets that prevented Sri Lanka from settling.
However, Sri Lanka’s response after 12/2 showed that the batting surface had not become impossible to negotiate.
| Match Phase | Score | Runs Added | What It Changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pakistan resume Day 2 | 281/5 | – | Five wickets still available to build the innings |
| Ghori dismissed | 349/6 | 68 during Day 2 | Saud-Ghori partnership reaches 96 overall |
| Saud dismissed | 393/7 | 44 since sixth wicket | Pakistan lose their innings’ leading scorer |
| Pakistan declare | 434/9 | 41 since seventh wicket | 153 runs added on Day 2 |
| Sri Lanka lose second wicket | 12/2 | – | Pakistan gain immediate new-ball control |
| Udara dismissed | 65/3 | 53 since second wicket | Sri Lanka lose their most aggressive batter |
| Stumps | 114/3 | 49 since third wicket | Kamindu and de Silva prevent further damage |
The table illustrates an important contrast.
Pakistan converted the first day’s advantage into a substantial total before their bowlers took three wickets. Sri Lanka, however, recovered from an early collapse sufficiently to keep the possibility of a longer first innings alive.
The hosts hold the stronger position because they have already completed their first innings and forced Sri Lanka to spend the third morning repairing damage.
How Many Runs Does Sri Lanka Need to Avoid the Follow-On?
Sri Lanka must reach at least 235 runs in their first innings to avoid being eligible for the follow-on.
Under the standard follow-on rule for a five-day Test, a team batting first may enforce the follow-on when it leads by at least 200 runs after both sides have completed their first innings.
Pakistan made 434. Therefore, a Sri Lankan first-innings total of 234 or fewer would leave Pakistan with a lead of at least 200, giving the hosts the option of enforcing the follow-on.
Sri Lanka are currently 114/3, meaning they need another 121 runs to reach 235.
| Sri Lanka First-Innings Total | Pakistan’s Lead | Follow-On Position |
|---|---|---|
| 200 | 234 | Pakistan can enforce |
| 225 | 209 | Pakistan can enforce |
| 234 | 200 | Pakistan can enforce |
| 235 | 199 | Follow-on cannot be enforced |
| 300 | 134 | Follow-on cannot be enforced |
| 400 | 34 | Follow-on cannot be enforced |
These calculations use Pakistan’s confirmed 434-run innings. They do not predict Sri Lanka’s eventual total or assume Pakistan would choose to enforce the follow-on if the opportunity arose.
The immediate task for Kamindu and de Silva is therefore clear: survive Pakistan’s opening spells on the third morning and reduce the deficit without another cluster of wickets.
What Pakistan’s Four Test Debutants Have Contributed
Pakistan’s selection of Tayyab Arif, Mohammad Taha, Arafat Minhas and Saqib Khan represented a substantial introduction of new talent into the Test side.
The first two days have already provided contributions from all four.
Tayyab struck 57 from 51 deliveries, giving Pakistan a positive opening alongside Azan Awais. Taha contributed 51 from 105 balls, offering stability after the loss of both openers and Babar Azam.
Minhas then supplied another half-century from the lower order, while Saqib claimed two wickets in Sri Lanka’s reply.
Three debutants scoring half-centuries in the same innings is an especially encouraging development for Pakistan. Together, Tayyab, Taha and Minhas scored 160 runs, accounting for approximately 36.9 percent of the team’s 434.
It is an encouraging response to the concerns raised after Pakistan’s difficult England tour, when repeated batting collapses and unstable partnerships undermined the team.
The underlying issue had been evident in TSE’s Day 2 assessment of Pakistan’s struggles at Edgbaston, where England had gained control after another disappointing batting performance.
The newcomers have now demonstrated potential, but their longer-term value will depend on repeating these performances across different conditions and against sustained international pressure.
What Does Sri Lanka Need to Do Differently on Day 3?
Sri Lanka’s first objective must be preserving the fourth-wicket partnership.
Kamindu and de Silva have already demonstrated an ability to score without surrendering control. Their challenge becomes greater when Pakistan’s bowlers return refreshed after the overnight interval.
Three factors will shape the next session.
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Abbas finished the day with four maidens in nine overs and one wicket for 23 runs.
His control means Sri Lanka cannot rely exclusively on attacking the bowler at the opposite end. Prolonged defensive pressure could create opportunities even without an immediate wicket.
2. Kamindu Mendis Converting His Start
Kamindu has already faced 78 deliveries. He is the best-positioned Sri Lankan batter to build a substantial innings because he has spent time adjusting to the conditions.
His immediate target should be an extended partnership rather than an individual milestone.
3. Kusal Mendis and the Remaining Middle Order
Sri Lankan captain Kusal Mendis is among the batters still to come. His experience and ability to counterattack may become important if Pakistan secure another breakthrough.
The visitors have already shown during their recent white-ball meetings with Pakistan that they can recover from difficult situations, although Test cricket demands greater patience.
Earlier in the tour, Sri Lanka’s batting had responded strongly after Pakistan won the opening ODI. TSE’s report on Salman Agha’s century in Rawalpindi explored the batting and bowling strengths of both sides during that contest.
For the current Test, however, the situation is fundamentally different. Sri Lanka need sustained partnerships measured in sessions, with seven wickets available and a first-innings deficit of 320.
What the Series Schedule Means After Rawalpindi
This is the opening match of a two-Test series within the ICC World Test Championship cycle.
Both teams will remain in Rawalpindi for the second Test after the Pakistan Cricket Board relocated the fixture from Lahore because of worsening smog conditions.
The PCB’s official relocation announcement confirms the second Test will be played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from November 17 to 21.
The change means both sides will contest consecutive Tests at the same venue, making their ability to interpret the surface and adapt to changing conditions especially important.
Pakistan will be seeking to translate their strong first-innings performance into a complete Test-match victory. Sri Lanka must first survive the next morning and demonstrate that their recovery can continue beyond one unbeaten partnership.
Day 3 Outlook: Pakistan Have the Advantage, but the Next Session Matters
At stumps, Pakistan are well placed after building a 434-run total and claiming three wickets in Sri Lanka’s first 27.1 overs.
Saud Shakeel supplied the foundation, Ghazi Ghori and Arafat Minhas extended the advantage, and Saqib Khan made an immediate impact with the ball.
The visitors’ position is more complicated than their 320-run deficit alone suggests. Kamindu Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva have already demonstrated that runs are available, and Kusal Mendis remains to bat.
Pakistan’s priority on the third morning will be an early breakthrough, followed by sustained pressure on the remaining middle order.
Sri Lanka’s immediate priority is a partnership substantial enough to move toward the 235-run follow-on threshold and, ideally, considerably beyond it.
The contest has reached a decisive early stage. Pakistan have earned control over two days, but the third morning will show how much of that advantage they can turn into wickets.
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 1st Test: Frequently Asked Questions
What was Sri Lanka’s score at the end of Day 2?
Sri Lanka were 114/3 after 27.1 overs, trailing Pakistan by 320 runs.
How many runs did Pakistan score in their first innings?
Pakistan declared their first innings at 434/9 after 106.3 overs.
Who scored the most runs for Pakistan?
Saud Shakeel top-scored with 93 from 199 deliveries, including nine fours.
How did Arafat Minhas perform on Test debut?
Minhas scored 52 from 72 balls, including nine fours and a six, and bowled one over for one run in Sri Lanka’s reply.
How many wickets did Saqib Khan take?
The debutant fast bowler took two wickets for 54 runs in 10.1 overs, dismissing Dinesh Chandimal and Lahiru Udara.
Who remained unbeaten for Sri Lanka at stumps?
Kamindu Mendis was unbeaten on 40 and Dhananjaya de Silva was unbeaten on 22.
How many more runs does Sri Lanka need to avoid the follow-on?
Sri Lanka need another 121 runs to reach 235, the minimum total that would prevent Pakistan from enforcing the follow-on.
Why did play end early on Day 2?
Bad light brought play to an early close after 27.1 overs of Sri Lanka’s first innings.
Where will Pakistan and Sri Lanka play the second Test?
The second Test will also be played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from November 17 to 21 after the PCB relocated the match from Lahore.
