The first Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium ended in a tense draw on Friday, giving plenty of reasons for Karachi cricket fans to celebrate. While persistent bad light and rain stole over 140 overs from the game, the match belonged to Pakistan’s newcomers and domestic performers from Karachi who stepped up under pressure.
For months, Pakistan has struggled to find a consistent red ball fast bowler alongside Mohammad Abbas who can swing the ball and take wickets on flat pitches, and Saqib Khan stepped up right when the team needed him most.
A solid start built on half centuries
Batting first after losing the toss, Pakistan put up a strong total of 434 for 9 declared. It was a rare innings where every single dismissed batter reached double figures, yet none managed to cross the hundred mark. Five batters scored half centuries, led by Karachi’s Saud Shakeel, who fell just seven runs short of a century with a composed 93.
The highlight of the innings, however, was the confidence shown by Pakistan’s Test debutants. Mohammad Taha, Tayyab Arif, and Arafat Minhas all scored maiden Test fifties. Taha’s solid defense stood out against the new ball, showing the discipline he has built in domestic cricket. Wicketkeeper Ghazi Ghori also chipped in with a valuable 48, narrowly missing out on joining the fifty club.
Saqib Khan turns the tide on a cloudy morning
In reply, Sri Lanka stumbled early to 65 for 3, with debutant fast bowler Saqib Khan striking twice with the new ball. However, the visitors fought back strongly on the third day. Centuries from Dhananjaya de Silva (167) and captain Kusal Mendis (119) pushed Sri Lanka past 400 with only four wickets down. At 404 for 4, Pakistan looked completely out of the contest, hoping just to keep the deficit under 100.
Everything changed on the fourth morning. Thick clouds rolled over Rawalpindi, creating ideal conditions for swing and seam. Saqib Khan, who has openly named Dale Steyn and James Anderson as his bowling idols in an interview with us, looked unstoppable. Having spent the night praying and keeping his faith, the pacer came out with clear intent and struck in his very first over of the day.
As if the clouds had gathered just to watch him make the ball talk, Saqib ran through the Sri Lankan batting order. He turned his two wickets into a five wicket haul and finished with remarkable figures of 7 for 130, becoming only the fourth Pakistani bowler in history to take seven wickets in an innings on Test debut. Behind the stumps, Ghazi Ghori supported him brilliantly by taking six catches, helping restrict Sri Lanka to a tiny lead of 12 runs.
Saud Shakeel saves the day
After bad light cut short the fourth day with Pakistan at 57 for 1, the hosts suffered a dramatic collapse on the final morning. Slumping to 125 for 5, Pakistan suddenly faced the real threat of defeat, leaving fans hoping for another early bout of bad light.
Once again, Saud Shakeel stood tall for his team. Showing immense patience and skill, he anchored the innings with a gritty 97 off 210 balls. Ghazi Ghori gave him crucial support at the other end, adding 35 runs to steer Pakistan out of danger. When Saud finally fell just three runs shy of his hundred, both captains shook hands to end a match that swung back and forth until the very last session.
A proud moment for Karachi cricket
Even though the game ended without a winner, it proved to be a massive boost for Karachi cricket. Saqib Khan’s control and Player of the Match spell, Mohammad Taha’s calm technique, Ghazi Ghori’s sharp glovework and batting, and Saud Shakeel’s twin nineties carried Pakistan throughout the match. With the second Test starting in Rawalpindi on November 17, these Karachi players have given the national side plenty of confidence heading into the series decider.
