Pakistan resumed their second innings against Sri Lanka on Day 5 of the Rawalpindi Test, losing four wickets in session 1 as they looked to build a lead.
Sri Lanka had taken a 12-run first-innings lead after being bowled out for 446 in reply to Pakistan’s 434-9.
Resuming their second innings at the score of 57-1, Pakistan lost four more wickets in the first session. Babar Azam scored 34, while Mohammad Taha made 24 runs. Salman Agha was dismissed for 13.
Pakistan stretched their lead over Sri Lanka to 45 runs despite losing opener Tayyab Arif early, before bad light and rain forced an early stump on the fourth day of the first Test on Thursday.
The hosts made a steady start, with Tayyab finding the boundary twice in the opening overs. However, the right-handed batter was trapped LBW by Asitha Fernando for 11 off eight deliveries, leaving Pakistan at 15-1 after 2.2 overs.
Azan Awais and Mohammad Taha then joined forces at the crease and steadied the innings with a valuable partnership, helping Pakistan extend their overall lead. At lunch, Azan was unbeaten on 16, while Taha had contributed 12 as Pakistan continued their second innings.
The pair resumed after the interval and added further runs to Pakistan’s advantage. However, deteriorating weather conditions, with bad light and rain, forced the players off the field, bringing the day’s play to an early conclusion after 21.2 overs in Pakistan’s second innings.
At the close of play, Pakistan were 57-1, holding an overall lead of 45 runs.
