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So that is it from this Test! There is one more game to go though and it is everything to play for in that one. Let's hope we witness a lot more cricket that we did in this one. The second Test starts on the 19th December at 0945 local (0445 GMT). Till then, take care and goodbye!

Azhar Ali says they are very happy with how the batters batted. He also adds that the conditions were good to bat in and they made use of it, especially Babar and Abid. Further adds he himself was very confident but that has been his story recently, he has looked good but got out at the wrong time but he hopes to do well in the next game. States the bowlers need to be a lot more consistent, they are young and they will learn as they play more and more games. Ends by saying playing at home is completely different and he thanks the crowd to come and support them on a day where they knew a result was not possible.

Sri Lankan skipper, Dimuth Karunaratne, says he is pleased with how the team played. Further adds Dhananjaya and the two pacers who bowled were good. States they have a few positives heading into the next game. Informs Kasun Rajitha got injured and hence, he could not bowl further any overs in the match. Also tells they need to assess the wicket and come with a good plan in the next game. Ends by saying he would like to thank the fans who came in today and feels the Pakistan fans gave them good support.

MAN OF THE MATCH, Abid Ali, says it is a memorable moment for him and he hoped he could do well on his debut and he is thankful to the almighty. Further adds he was nervous but he enjoyed every moment out there. States he wanted to see off the new ball and then wait for the bad deliveries, he had plans of how much he wanted to score in every 5 overs and it went well.

A draw was never in doubt right at the start of Day 5? Well, what else can you expect in a Test match where only 167 overs could be bowled. Yes, it went all 5 days but except for the first and the 5th Day, we hardly had any play on the rest of the days. Sri Lanka won the toss on Day 1 and elected to bat, they put up a good first innings score with Dhananjaya being their star with a ton. He came out to bat on Day 1 and scored his ton on Day 5. The Lankans declared immediately after he got to his ton. Pakistan then had their chance to bat and enjoyed their opportunity. Especially Azam and Abid. Both scored tons and ensured the fans who came into watch the game, had their money's worth.

So out comes the light meter! The umpire feels it is not good enough to carry on and that is it from this Test match! Handshakes taking place out there. Azam is seen having a chat with a few Sri Lankan players and now everybody, slowly and steadily are walking off. The game ends in a draw!

69.6

.

Full and on middle, Azam defends it off the front foot. That will be it. The players go for the handshakes and that's a DRAW!

69.5

.

De Silva sprays one down the leg side. Azam looks to lay bat on the ball. He fails and the ball rolls to the short fine leg off the pads.

69.4

.

Once again Azam plays this tossed up ball on the pads to mid-wicket.

69.3

.

Azam works this full ball off his pads to mid-wicket.

69.2

.

Babar blocks this one right of the middle of the bat.

69.1

.

Floated one on off, blocked off the front foot.

69.1

2nb

NO BALL! A rare one from a spinner. Dhananjaya oversteps here! Full and on middle, driven to long on for a run.

68.6

.

Floated on off, blocked of the back foot.

68.5

.

Tossed up on off, defended off the back foot.

68.4

1

Flighted on off, Abid punches the ball off the back foot through the covers for a single.

68.3

1

Tossed up on off, driven to long on for a run.

68.2

.

Flatter and on middle, this is kept out.

68.1

4

FOUR! 100 for Babar Azam on his very first innings on home soil. He punches his fist in the air, takes his helmet off and has both his arms aloft. Best batter for Pakistan in recent times without a doubt. Also, it has been a very fluent innings by him. His third ton in Tests. He gets there by slapping this short ball through covers for a boundary.

67.6

.

Another floated one on off, Abid drives to mid off.

67.5

.

Flighted and on off, driven to mid off.

67.4

.

Tossed up defended near the pitch on the off side.

67.3

1

Full and on the pads, Babar flicks it in the gap through mid-wicket for a single. 3 shy of a century is Babar.

67.2

1

Tossed up around off, Abid drives it through covers for a run.

67.1

1

Tossed up on off, pushed through mid off and gets on to 96 is Babar here with a single.

66.6

.

On the stumps, blocked.

66.5

.

Flatter and on middle, kept out.

66.4

1

Moves onto 95 with a single as this is pushed through mid-wicket.

66.3

4

FOUR! That is a very good shot! He steps out and also stays leg side of the delivery. Opens the face at the end and guides it through the left of cover for a boundary.

66.2

.

Comes down the track but does not get to the pitch of it. It is worked to mid-wicket.

66.1

.

On the pads, it is worked to short fine leg.

65.6

1b

Tossed up on leg, the ball further spins further down the leg side and Azam misses his flick. The fielder from short fine leg runs behind the ball and fields it. A Bye taken.

65.5

.

Floated on off, defended off the front foot and into the ground.

65.4

3

That straighten after pitching. Abid was lining up for a flick though the leg side but the ball spins the other way to take the outside edge. The ball runs past the vacant slip cordon and towards third man. The batsmen have enough time in the world to get back for third.

65.3

.

Full and on the pads, Abid tucks it to leg gully.

65.2

1

Full and on off, driven to long off for a run.

65.1

.

On the pads, it is worked to short fine leg.

64.6

1

A single from the last ball as Azam strokes it down to long off.

64.5

.

Extremely full and on middle, Azam plays it back to the bowler.

64.4

.

Flatter and on middle, defended.

64.3

.

Azam misses out there! This is down the leg side, Azam looks to sweep but misses.

64.2

.

On middle, kept out.

64.1

.

Floats it up on middle, Azam strokes it to covers.

63.6

1

Azam keeps strike as he works this down to long on for one.

63.5

4

FOUR! Too short and put away! Azam rocks back and hits it in the gap in the mid-wicket region. A fielder in the deep but he has no chance.

63.4

.

Slower through the air and on middle, blocked.

63.3

.

Good fielding! Brings out the sweep shot and hit sit fine on the leg side. The fielder at short fine leg dives to his right and saves a boundary.

63.2

.

Shorter in length, Azam fails to get to the pitch of it. He tries to flick but misses to get hit on the pads.

63.1

.

On middle, it is worked to mid-wicket.

62.6

.

Back of a length and on off, Abid punches the ball off the back foot.

62.5

.

Abid defends this length ball to the off side.

62.4

1

Length and outside off, Azam punches it through the off side for a single.

62.3

4

FOUR! Back to back boundaries. Fernando goes short and Azam rocks onto the back foot and pulls it through mid-wicket. The fielder in the deep dives but fails to keep the ball in play as it crosses the fence.

62.2

2

Brilliant fielding in the deep. Vishwa Fernando bowls one on a length and gives a lot of room for Babar to free his arms. Azam there drives it through covers. The fielder from Third man runs to his right and pulls the ball inside the ropes with the dive. The umpire just go for the check whether the fielder was in contact with the ball when he went over the ropes but nothing such thing. A couple is what results.

62.1

.

Length and outside off, Babar drives it to mid on.

61.6

1

Floated on middle, Azam flicks it to mid-wicket and keeps the strike.

61.5

1

Full and on the pads, Abid tucks it to the leg side for a run.

61.4

1

Full and on the pads, Babar sweeps it through mid-wicket and gets to the other end.

61.3

.

Tossed up on the pads, driven to mid on.

61.2

1

Flatter and on off, driven towards covers for a run.

61.1

1

Tossed up on middle, driven towards lonf on for a run.

60.6

.

A dot to end as this is hit to mid on.

60.5

.

On the fuller side, this is hit to mid on.

60.4

.

BEATEN! Length and outside off, Abid goes after it with not a lot of foot movement. He gets beaten.

60.3

.

Back of a length and on off, kept out.

60.2

2

100 for Abid Ali on debut! A couple to bring it up. An excellent feat, he becomes the first man in the history to score a ton on ODI debut and Test debut. Brilliant. Take a bow young man. Takes his helmet off and soaks in the applause from the big crowd which has come to watch this last day. He gets there by cutting this short ball through covers for two.

60.1

4

FOUR! Abid now on 99! Excellent shot this. It is short and around off, Abid Ali smashes it through mid-wicket and it races away to the fence.

Vishwa Fernando comes back on. 11-1-36-0 are his figures so far.

59.6

1

Another one on the pads, this time it is worked wide of mid-wicket for a single.

59.5

.

On middle, this is worked to mid-wicket.

59.4

1

The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. They pick up a single.

59.3

4

FOUR! Azam into the 70s. He is hitting boundaries for fun at the moment. Short and outside off, this is slapped through covers and it races away.

59.2

.

Fires this down the leg side, it is left alone.

59.1

2

Azam makes room and Dhananjaya bangs it short. It is pushed wide of long off for two.

Dhananjaya de Silva comes back on. 5-0-21-0 are his figures so far.

58.6

.

On the shorter side, Abid pushes it to covers.

58.5

.

One more short ball and on middle, it is evaded.

58.4

.

On the shorter side again, blocked.

58.3

1

On off, Azam guides it to point.

58.2

.

A slower one but down the leg side, it is left alone.

58.1

.

Shorter and around off, this is pushed to covers.

57.6

.

Tossed up on the pads, Abid flicks it off his pads to mid-wicket.

57.5

.

Abid gets close to the pitch of this tossed up ball and then blocks it.

57.4

.

Full and on the pads, Abid works it to mid-wicket.

57.3

.

Tossed up on off, defended to the off side.

57.2

2

Floated on off, Ali drives it straight down the ground but the timing is not there. The fielder from long on comes across and fields it. Only a couple results this time.

57.1

.

Tossed up on off, Abid defends it off the full face of the bat.

56.6

.

Length ball on off, defended off the front foot.

56.5

.

Around off on a length, defended to the off side.

56.4

4

Short and wide of off stump, Babar just opens his arms and punches the ball through covers. The ball races to the fence without any fuss.

56.3

.

Length and on off, Babar mistimes the drives it to mid on.

56.2

4

FOUR! 100-run stand up between the two! Shorter in length and on the body, Azam swivels and pulls it behind square on the leg side for a boundary.

56.1

.

Short one on middle and leg, Babar pulls but finds mid-wicket.

55.6

1

Gives it air and lands it on middle, Azam eases it down to long off for one.

55.5

.

Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

55.4

1

Comes down the track now but gets too close to the pitch of the ball. Mistimes it towards mid off for one.

55.3

.

Well bowled! This lands on off and goes on with the angle. Abid defends inside the line and gets beaten.

55.2

.

On the stumps, kept out.

55.1

3

Three runs! Nicely played! Brings out the paddle sweep and hits it nice and fine on the leg side for three.

54.6

.

Back of a length and on middle, Abid hops inside the crease and defends it back to the bowler.

54.5

.

Back of a length and on middle and leg, Abid hops inside the crease and defends it to the leg side.

54.4

.

Short one on middle and leg, Abid ducks under it.

54.3

.

Length and on the pads, Abid looks to flick it down the leg side but the ball rolls off his pads towards leg slip.

54.2

1

Length and on off, Babar defends it to the off side and hares for a quick single.

54.1

4

FOUR! What a way to get to your half ton. He just stands tall on this back of a length delivery and punches it through covers. There is no one in the deep which means the ball meets the ropes.

Lahiru Kumara to bowl from the other end.

53.6

.

Full and on the pads, tucked towards the leg side.

53.5

.

Full and on the pads, Abid works it to mid-wicket.

53.4

.

Tossed up on off, defended off the back foot towards the bowler.

53.3

.

Flighted on middle and leg, Abid drives it back to the bowler.

53.2

1

Floated on middle, Babar drives it through mid on for a run. First one of this session.

53.1

.

Tossed up on middle and leg, tucked to mid-wicket.

Welcome back for the final session of this first Test match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan players are out on the field and they are followed by the two Pakistan batsmen Abid Ali and Babar Azam. Both the batsmen are nearing their individual milestones. Dilruwan Parera to continue for the hosts after Tea.

... Day 5, Session 3...

A brilliant session for Pakistan! They have just lost the one wicket and have managed to score at a good rate as well. They lost Azhar Ali early but both Babar Azam and Abid Ali have racked up another excellent stand. The former is nearing his half ton and the latter his ton. The game is more about Abid Ali's ton now. Will he get to it? We will find out in sometime.

52.6

1

Length and outside off, Babar pushes it off the back foot through covers for a single. That will also be TEA ON DAY 5!

52.5

.

Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

52.4

1

Another single! Fuller and on middle, it is hit towards mid on for one.

52.3

.

A sharp bumper, Azam moves out of the way at the very end.

52.2

.

Slightly fuller this time and on middle, kept out.

52.1

.

Shorter and on middle, it is worked to mid-wicket.

51.6

.

Tossed up on off, Babar drives once again but this time finds mid off.

51.5

4

FOUR! Brutally hit. Babar takes a step or two forward on this tossed up ball outside off and drives it straight down the ground. The ball races to the fence in a flash, Not a single fielder moved. Such was the timing on this shot.

51.4

.

Flighted around off, Azam defends it off the back foot by coming right behind the line of the delivery.

51.3

1

Floated outside leg, Abid flicks it througjh mid-wicket for a run.

51.2

.

Tossed up around middle and leg, defended off the front foot to the leg side.

51.1

1

Tossed up on off, Babar drives it through covers for a run.

50.6

.

Bouncer! The batsman ducks under the bouncer at the last moment.

50.5

.

A good short one, right on the body. Abid works it towards mid-wicket.

50.4

.

This is angled into the batter, Azam shows the full face of the bat and strokes it to mid on.

50.3

1

On the off pole this time, the length is a touch fuller. Azam drops it on the off side and takes one.

50.2

.

Another shorter in length delivery around off, BA stands tall and punches it to covers.

50.1

.

Shorter and on off, Azam pushes it to the man at covers.

Lahiru Kumara is back into the attack. His figures so far read 9-4-29-1.

49.6

.

On the pads, Ali works it towards mid-wicket.

49.5

.

On off, Ali prods forward and keeps it out.

49.4

1

On middle, it is hit with the turn through mid on for one.

49.3

.

Loopy ball on middle, Azam lunges and keeps it out.

49.2

1

Floats it up on off, Abid opens the face of the bat and guides it through point for one.

49.1

.

Plays the paddle sweep but straight to short fine leg.

48.6

.

Tossed up on the pads, Babar flicks it to the leg side.

48.5

1

Floated on middle and leg, Abid works it to mid-wicket for a single.

48.4

.

Full and on the pads, Abid looks to tuck it to the leg side but finds the fielder to perfection there.

48.3

.

Flighted one on off, Babar plays the forward defense.

48.2

.

Tossed up on off, blocked off the front foot.

48.1

1

Tossed up on middle and leg, tucked through mid-wicket for a run by Babar.

47.6

1

Another single as another ball is worked on the leg side.

47.5

1

Worked through square leg for one.

47.4

1

Azam comes down the track and eases it down to long on for one.

47.3

.

On off, this is kept out.

47.2

4

FOUR! Too easy! Azam would hit that drive all day long. It is another half volley outside off, Babar strokes it through covers and the ball races away to the fence.

47.1

.

Flatter and on off, blocked.

46.6

1

Azam keeps strike now as he punches it down to long on.

46.5

.

Well played in the end! Azam comes down the track but slips. He though does well to defend it out.

46.4

1

Worked with the turn through mid-wicket for one.

46.3

1

Azam now gets off strike as he eases it down to long on.

46.2

1

On off, this is pushed towards cover for one.

46.1

.

On middle, this is worked to mid-wicket.

45.6

.

Tossed up on off and middle, Babar defends it off the back foot.

45.5

1

Tossed up on the pads, Abid flicks it off his pads to fine leg for a single.

45.4

.

Tossed up on the pads, Abid works it to mid-wicket.

45.3

2

Flatter and outside off, Abid punches the ball through covers for a couple.

45.2

1

Full and on middle, Babar drives it through mid on for a run.

45.1

1

Flatter and outside off, Abid cuts it through point for a single.

Dilruwan Perera is back on. 14-0-45-0 are his figures so far.

44.6

2

Punched off the back foot by the batsman. The batsmen have picked up a couple of runs.

44.5

4

FOUR! Leaking boundaries are the bowlers here! This is another full ball outside off, Azam leans into it and caresses it through covers.

44.4

.

Shorter and on off, Azam pushes it to covers.

44.3

.

On middle, defended.

44.2

4

FOUR! Fifty run stand up! This has been a very exciting one. Both have dealt in boundaries and they hit one to get to that landmark. This is tossed up outside off, it is creamed through covers.

44.1

1

On middle, this is worked through square leg for one.

43.6

4

Three boundaries in the over. It's all happening here. Babar comes to the party now. He now drives this tossed up ball through covers for a boundary.

43.5

1

Floated on off, Abid drives it through mid off for a run.

43.4

.

Tossed up and on off, Abid defends it to point.

43.3

4

FOUR! Back to back boundaries. Abid is going along nicely here. Once again he cuts this flatter one outside off througfh point and into fence for boundary.

43.2

4

FOUR! Shorter and outside off, Abid rocks onto the back foot and cuts it through point for a boundary.

43.1

1

Flatter and outside off, Babar slashes it through covers for a single.

42.6

1

Full and on off, driven towards mid off for a quick single.

42.5

.

Tossed up on middle and off, defended back to the bowler.

42.4

1

Flatter and outside off, punched towards covers for a single.

42.3

.

Full and on middle, worked to short mid-wicket.

42.2

.

Floated and on off, defended back to the bowler.

42.1

1

Tossed up outside off, driven to long on for a single.

41.6

1

Azam misses out on another freebie! A full toss outside off, Azam looks to hit it hard but mistimes it through covers for one.

41.5

.

Quicker and outside off, left alone.

41.4

.

A freebie but Azam fails to put it away! Short and on the pads, it is pulled to square leg.

41.3

1

On the shorter side again, this is pulled through mid-wicket for one.

41.2

1

One more short one! This is slapped through covers for one.

41.1

.

Starts off with a loosener! Shorter and outside off, Azam lets it be.

DRINKS BREAK!

40.6

.

Flighted ball on off, defended off the back foot to the off side.

40.5

1

Short and wide of off stump, Babar punches the ball off the back foot through covers for a single.

40.4

.

Floated on middle, Babar blocks it towards mid on.

40.3

.

Tossed up on off, kept out easily.

40.2

.

Full and on off, Babar looks to flick it to the leg side but gets an inside edge onto his pads and the ball goes towards point.

40.1

.

Floated on off, Babar defends it back to the bowler.

39.6

1

Back of a length and on off, Babar cuts it through point for a single.

39.5

3

Back of a length and outside off, Abid hops onto his toes and punches the ball through covers. The fielder from third man runs across to his right and fields it. The batsmen in the meantime take three.

39.4

1

Full and on the pads, Azam flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.

39.4

1wd

Bumper! Fernando goes short and the ball bounces a lot higher over the batsman's head. The umpire calls it a wide.

39.3

.

Length and on off, Babar drives it to covers once again.

39.2

.

Full and outside off, Babar defends it to covers.

39.1

.

Outside off, left alone.

38.6

.

Tossed up on middle and leg, Abid works it to mid-wicket.

38.5

1

Pushes it through covers for one.

38.4

4

FOUR! Exquisite! A full ball outside off, Azam goes against the turn and he creams it through the off side for a boundary.

38.3

1

The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. The batsmen have run through for a single.

38.2

.

Gives it a lot of air and lands it on off, it is hit to mid off.

38.1

.

Flatter and on off, blocked.

37.6

.

Slightly fuller, Azam strokes it to mid on.

37.5

.

On off, Azam is solid in defense.

37.4

1

On the fuller side, Ali strokes it to mid on.

37.3

.

A short one again, this one is well-directed. Ducked under.

37.2

.

Shorter and on off, kept out.

37.1

2

Shorter and around off, Abid pushes it wide of deep point and takes two.

36.6

.

Ohhs and Ahhs! Fortunate enough for Azam here. Perera tosses one up around off and brings the ball back into the right-hander. Babar lifts his bat and the ball just about goes past the off stump. Rather close one and a brave leave too.

36.5

.

Flighted and around off, Azam defends it off the front foot and into the ground.

36.4

.

Floated and on middle, Azam punches the ball to the off side off the back foot.

36.3

1

Flighted and on off, driven through covers for a run.

36.2

.

Tossed up on off, driven back to the bowler.

36.1

.

Floated on off, defended from within the crease.

35.6

.

Shorter and on off, it is pushed to covers.

35.5

.

On the fuller side, Azam mistimes his drive towards mid on. His bat turned in his hand there, Kumara is bowling quick here.

35.4

.

A good short one again, Azam spots it early and lets it go over him.

35.3

.

Shorter and on off, Azam stands tall and defends it.

35.2

.

Short! Babar went at that with hard hands! Length and outside off, Babar looks to drive it on the up but it goes off the outside edge and on the bounce to gully. Dilruwan dives and stops it with one hand. He saves a boundary in the end.

35.1

.

Shorter and on middle, ducked under.

34.6

.

Tossed up on middle, Abid drives it towards mid on.

34.5

1

Perera gives this one more air and bowls it on middle. Babar drives it towards covers where the fielder mid fields to all a single. 100 up for Pakistan.

34.4

1

Tossed up on off, driven through point for a run.

34.3

1

Flighted and on off, Babar defends it to point.

34.2

.

Flighted and on off, Babar defends it to point.

34.1

.

Tossed up on off, Babar defends it to short mid-wicket.

33.6

.

On off, Ali stays back and keeps it out comfortably.

33.5

.

Fuller and on middle, Ali strokes it to mid on.

33.4

.

Length and around off, this is guided to point.

33.3

.

One more short one and on off, it is defended.

33.2

.

A shot one again, Ali does well to hop and defend it.

33.1

.

A bumper and on middle, ducked under.

32.6

.

Tossed up on off, Azam drives it straight to the man at mid off.

32.5

1

Full and on the pads, Abid flicks it through square leg and gets a single.

32.4

4

FOUR! Perera tosses one up outside off, Abid cannot control his instincts and he looks to go for the drive. The ball takes the outside edge and flies past the lone slip fielder and into the third man fence for a boundary.

32.3

2

Tossed up on the pads, Abid sweeps it through fine leg and gets a couple.

32.2

.

Full and on middle, Abid works it to mid-wicket.

32.1

.

BEATEN! Flatter and outside off, Abid looks to cut but the ball goes past the outside edge and into the mitts of the keeper.

31.6

.

Good delivery to welcome Pakistan's best better! This is on a length and around off, it jags back in. Azam looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Babar Azam walks in to bat.

31.5

W

OUT! In the air... taken! End of the stand that looked ever so comfortable out there. End of Azhar Ali who was looking all set for another big score. Just the breakthrough Sri Lanka needed. A good short one on middle, it rises on the batter. Azhar tries to work it on the leg side but fails to get on top of the bounce. It hits the splice and lobs towards mid-wicket where Karunaratne takes a dolly. The skipper falls after getting off to a start.

31.4

.

Length ball on middle, Azhar drives it towards mid on.

31.3

.

Length and on off, Azhar defends it to the off side.

31.2

.

Full and angling in the pads, Azhar defends with his bat pad close to each other.

31.1

.

Back of a length and on off, Azhar punches it to covers.

30.6

.

Floated ball on off, Abid strokes it to mid off.

30.5

.

The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

30.4

.

On middle, the batter lunges forward and keeps it out.

30.3

2

Another couple! On the pad, Abid Ali works it fine on the leg side and takes an easy two.

30.2

1

A single as this is worked through mid-wicket.

30.1

.

Tosses it up on off, it is driven to mid off.

DRINKS BREAK!

29.6

2

MAIDEN TEST FIFTY! What a knock this has been from him. He has looked calm composed and settled out there through out his innings. Coming onto the delivery it was a back of a length ball outside off, Abid guides it past point and gets couple. He has 100 on ODI debut. Can he score a 100 on Test debut too? Thus becoming the first cricketer to achieve this feat.

29.5

.

BOUNCER! Abid sits under the short ball as it sails over him.

29.4

.

Full and outside off, Abid looks to squeeze it towards point but fails to middle it as the ball rolls towards the leg side.

29.3

.

Good length and outside off, Abid punches once again but to covers this time.

29.2

.

Length and on off, defended to mid on.

29.1

2

Length and on off, Abid punches it through covers and gets a couple. Just 2 runs away from his maiden Test fifty.

Lahiru Kumara comes on now!

28.6

.

Gives it a lot of air and lands it on middle, Ali works it to mid on.

28.5

1

Flatter and on off, Abid pushes it towards cover for one. He moves onto 46.

28.4

.

On middle, this time, AA works it with the turn to mid-wicket.

28.3

.

Flatter this time but he line is the same, Abid plays it off the back foot.

28.2

.

On off, defended again.

28.1

.

Loopy ball around off, Abid defends it onto the ground.

27.6

.

Nice drive but for no runs! Fuller and on off, Ali strokes it to mid off.

27.5

.

Just outside off, the batter need not play at those.

27.4

.

Another one on a length, Ali is solid in defense.

27.3

.

On off, defended.

27.2

4

FOUR! Past the fielder and a boundary! This is slightly fuller and around middle, Azhar Ali strokes it towards mid on. The fielder there runs to his left and then dives but fails to stop it.

27.1

.

Just outside off, not played at.

26.6

.

Once again Abid sweeps this full ball but fails to get the gap as the ball goes towards square leg.

26.5

.

Full and on leg, tucked to mid-wicket.

26.4

.

Tossed up and on middle, defended back to the bowler.

26.3

.

Tossed up on off, defended off the front foot.

26.2

4

FOUR! Flighted on middle and leg, Abid goes down on one knee and sweeps it very fine and into the fine leg fence for a boundary.

26.1

1

Tossed up on middle and leg, tucked towards mid-wicket for a single.

25.6

.

On off, pushed to covers.

25.5

.

The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

25.4

1

A shorter one on the body, Ali pulls it down to fine leg for one.

The physio is out in the middle. He is seen tending to Karunaratne. The Sri Lankan skipper looks to be in some kind of a pain. He is fine to continue. Also, Vishwa Fernando has been given the first official warning for running onto the danger area of the pitch.

25.3

.

This is angled into the pads, Ali works it towards mid-wicket. It goes through the hands of the fielder and hits his knee. He is in some pain.

25.2

.

One more length ball around off, AA pushes it back to the bowler.

25.1

.

Outside off, Azhar does not play at it.

24.6

1

Flatter and on off, Ali guides it through point for one.

24.5

1

A single as this is pushed through the off side for one.

24.4

.

One more tossed up ball on off, Abid strokes it to mid off.

24.3

1

Ali uses his feet and then pushes it to mid on for one.

24.2

.

Gives it a lot of air and bowls it on off, Ali strokes it to mid off.

24.1

.

Flighted ball on off, Azhar keeps it out nicely.

23.6

.

Abid defends this length ball on off by coming right behind the line of the delivery.

23.5

.

Length and around off, pushed to the off side.

23.4

4

FOUR! Overpitched and it gets what it deserved. Fernando goes full and invites Abid to drive. Abid there obliges and drives it through mid off and the ball races past the diving mid off fielder towards the long off fence for a boundary.

23.3

.

Good length and on off, driven once again to covers.

23.2

.

Length and on off, driven to covers.

23.1

2

Short stuff and almost a wicket there. Abid pulls it uppishly and the ball just about manages to evade the leaping mid-wicket fielder. The batsmen get a couple.

22.6

.

Tossed up on off, defended to the off side.

22.5

.

Around off, driven back to the bowler.

22.4

.

On off, defended to the off side.

22.3

1

Tossed up outside off, Abid guides it through point for a single.

22.2

.

Abid pushes this tossed up ball to covers.

22.1

1

Azhar Ali gets a run off the misfield. Perera bowls one on off, Azhar drives it towards covers where the fielder misfields and allows the batsmen to cross ends.

21.6

.

Length and on off, Azhar defends it from within the crease.

21.5

1

Full and on the pads, flicked to mid-wicket for a run.

21.4

.

Length and outside off, Azhar guides it towards point.

21.3

.

An appeal for LBW from the Sri Lankans. The umpire is unmoved. This is bowled on a length and around off, Azhar Ali looks to defend it but is late in bringing his bat down and gets a thick inside edge onto his pads. The bowler and the slip fielders appeal but the umpire shakes his head. Right call there from the umpire.

21.2

2

Full and on the pads, Abid flicks it through mid-wicket. By the time the fielder in the deep can clean it up the batsmen take a couple.

21.1

.

Length and on the pads, Azhar flicks it through mid-wicket and takes a single.

20.6

.

On off, blocked.

20.5

.

A little too straight, this is worked to the fielder at short fine leg.

20.4

1

Tossed up on off, Ali lunges and blocks it solidly.

20.3

1

Another full ball outside off, Abid drives it square on the off side and takes one.

20.2

.

Gives it air and lands it on off, it is pushed back to the bowler.

20.1

.

Flatter and on off, Abid stays back and keeps it out. No turns for the off spinner yet.

Dilruwan Perera to bowl from the other end.

19.6

.

Fuller in length and on off, Azhar pushes it to mid off.

19.5

1

Close! This is on middle, Abid flicks it at the very end through square leg for one. He worked that off the stumps, had to get bat to ball or he was a goner.

19.4

1

Angled into the pads, Azhar works it down to fine leg and takes one. First run in this session.

19.3

.

One more ball outside off, it is left alone again.

19.2

.

Outside off this time, not played at.

19.1

.

Down the leg side, the batter looks to flick but misses. A loosener to start with by the bowler.

We are back after the Lunch break. The Sri Lankan players too make their way out to the middle as they take their fielding positions. Out come the two Pakistan batsmen Azhar Ali and Abid Ali. Vishwa Fernando to start the session for the visitors. Here we go...

...Day 5, Session 2 ...

A good cricketing session this! Initially it seemed like it would be the visitors who would be the happier side but Azhar Ali and Abid fought back well with a 50-run stand. Sri Lanka struck early after declaring but that is the only inroad they could make. They did bowl well but the Pakistan batters were quite solid. More of the same is what Pakistan would like in post Lunch whereas, Sri Lanka would hope for a few early wickets. Join us in a while for the afternoon session.

18.6

.

Abid Ali blocks this tossed up ball around off to the off side. That will be LUNCH ON DAY 5!

18.5

1

Flighted one on off, Azhar drives it through mid on and takes a single.

18.4

.

Once again Azhar drives this full ball to mid on.

18.3

.

Full and on middle, driven straight to mid on.

18.2

1

50-run stand up between Abid Ali and Azhar Ali. Abid works this tossed up ball off his pads towards mid-wicket for a quick single.

18.1

.

Tossed up on off, Abid defends it to the off side.

17.6

.

Around off, defended off the back foot.

17.5

4

FOUR! Lovely cover drive. Azhar Ali drives this fuller one through covers and the ball has enough on it to cross the fence with ease.

17.4

.

Around off, tapped towards covers for no run.

17.3

.

Short one on the body, Azhar ducks under it with ease.

17.2

.

Length and around off, driven straight to covers.

17.1

1

Good length and on off, this is pushed through covers for one.

16.6

1

Full and on middle, driven through mid on for a run.

16.5

.

On off, defended off the front foot.

16.4

.

Flighted and on the pads, Abid works it to the leg side.

16.3

.

Full and on off, Abid brings out the forward block in play.

16.2

.

Flighted and on off, defended off the front foot.

16.1

1

Tossed up outside off, Abid taps it to point and takes a quick single.

15.6

1

Length and around off, Abid taps it to covers and takes a single.

15.5

1

Full and angled into the pads, Abid works it towards mid-wicket and crosses ends.

15.4

.

Back of a length and around off, Abid drops his wrists and sways away from the line of the delivery.

15.3

.

Short one Abid ducks under it.

15.2

1

On a length and on the pads, Azhar tickles it towards fine leg for a run. 150kph delivery this from Kumara. Really quick there.

15.1

1

Short one on the body. Hurrying onto the batsman. Abid pulls it through fine leg and gets to the other end.

14.6

.

Gives it air and lands it on off, worked to mid-wicket again.

14.5

.

Floats it up on off, Ali works it to mid-wicket.

14.4

1

Tossed up and on middle, the batter works it to mid-wicket.

14.3

.

Flatter and on off, Abid goes back and works it towards mid-wicket.

14.2

1

On the pads, it is worked through mid-wicket for one.

14.1

.

On middle, it is worked through mid-wicket for no runs.

13.6

4

FOUR! Shot of the day probably! Fuller and on off, Abid shows the full face of the bat and creams it through mid off. Runs coming quickly now.

13.5

.

The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

13.4

.

Fuller and on off, it is driven to mid off.

13.3

.

Angled into the batter, defended.

13.2

4

FOUR! Nicely played! This is shorter in length and around off, Abid gets on top of the bounce and uses the pace of the bowler. Guides it past point and gets a boundary.

13.1

.

This is angled into the pads, it is worked to mid-wicket.

12.6

1

A single now as it is flicked through square leg.

12.5

1

On the pads, it is worked through square leg for one.

12.4

.

Floats it up on off, defended.

12.3

.

Flatter and on off, it is pushed to covers.

12.2

.

On middle, Ali works it with the turn to mid on.

12.1

4

FOUR! A hit-me delivery to start with. Short and way too wide outside off, Ali goes back and slaps it through covers for a boundary. A loosener to begin with by Perera and Ali puts it away.

SPIN TIME! Dilruwan Perera comes on now.

11.6

4

FOUR! Right off the middle this time! Slightly shorter and outside off, Abid gets on top of the bounce and smashes it through point for a boundary.

11.5

.

Outside off, not played at.

11.4

.

Another one on the stumps, kept out.

11.3

.

Back of a length and on off, blocked.

11.2

.

A good short one now, Ali ducks under it.

11.1

4

EDGED AND FOUR! Just wide of second slip. Not sure why there isn't a third slip in place especially when you are looking for wickets. Shorter and outside off, Ali pushes at it away from the body. The ball flies off the outside edge and goes past the diving Mendis at second slip and into the third man fence. Fortunate was Abid there.

10.6

.

One more ball on a length, Ali guides it to point.

10.5

.

Slower one outside off, not played at.

10.4

.

Outside off, not played at.

10.3

1

This is angled into the pads, it is worked towards mid-wicket for another single.

10.2

1

On the fuller side and on middle, Ali pushes it towards mid on. The fielder there dives to his right but fails to stop it cleanly. A single taken.

10.1

.

Outside off, left alone.

DRINKS BREAK!

9.6

.

On off, blocked again.

9.5

.

Another full ball and on middle, it is hit to mid on.

9.4

.

The ball is way outside the off stump, easy leave for the batsman.

9.3

.

A little too wide outside off to make the batter play.

9.2

.

Fuller and on middle, this is driven back past the bowler but for no runs as mid off gets across quickly.

9.1

.

The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Lahiru Kumara comes on now.

8.6

.

Outside off, left alone.

8.5

.

A good bumper again, Ali ducks under it.

8.4

.

Goes wide of the crease and angles this one into the off pole, blocked.

8.3

.

Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

8.2

.

Outside off, not played at.

8.1

.

On off, it is pushed to covers.

7.6

.

On a length and on the pads, Abid Ali fails to flick it off his pads. The ball hits the pads and rolls towards the keeper who dives to his left and grabs it.

7.5

.

Another leave as the ball is way outside off.

7.4

.

Outside off, left alone.

7.3

1

Confusion and safe in the end. Ali taps one to the point region and the fielder there gets to the ball quickly. Abid Ali calls for the single but his skipper is not interested. Later on Azhar Ali takes off for the run seeing Abid Ali already half way down. The fielder from point has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Also Azhar Ali gets in with a dive. A single taken in the end.

7.2

4

FOUR! Brilliantly timed there by the Pakistan skipper. He just leans on and then drives it through covers and the ball goes past the fence.

7.1

.

Full and wide of off stump, Azhar looks to squeeze it but the ball just about goes past the outside edge.

6.6

1

Ali is off the mark as he works this one on the pads towards fine leg.

6.5

.

Well played! Just short and around off, extra bounce on this one. Ali does well to play it with soft hands. It goes on the bounce to gully.

6.4

.

A sharp bumper and on the body, Ali spots it late but ducks under it.

6.3

.

Good length again and on off, Ali keeps it out nicely.

6.2

.

On off, defended nicely.

6.1

.

Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

5.6

.

Another leave as it is again bowled outside off.

5.5

.

Fuller and on middle, it is worked against the angle to Ali.

5.4

.

Full and wide outside off, a tempter by Fernando but Ali leaves it.

5.3

4

FOUR! Up and over! Shorter in length and outside off, Abid throws his bat at it. It goes off the outside edge and over the slip cordon for a boundary.

5.2

.

Back of a length and on off, defended.

5.1

.

On the pads, it is worked to mid-wicket.

4.6

.

Good length on middle, defended to the leg side.

4.5

1

Full and on the pads, Abid flicks it towards fine leg and gets to the other end.

4.4

.

Length and on off, defended to the off side.

4.3

.

Full and on middle, Abid defends it to mid-wicket.

4.2

.

Length and outside off, Abid lifts his bat and lets the ball through to the keeper.

4.1

.

On a length and around off, defended off the back foot by Abid.

3.6

.

On off, blocked.

3.5

1b

That is a beauty! This lands around the leg pole and moves away quite a lot. Abid looks to defend but is beaten. The ball bounces in front of the keeper so he fails to stop it cleanly. A bye is taken.

3.4

.

Way too wide outside off again, this time Abid lets it be.

3.3

.

Good length and on off, Abid lunges and keeps it out.

3.2

.

Almost another! Full and wide outside off, Abid throws his bat at it away from the body and gets beaten.

3.1

.

Outside off, left alone.

2.6

.

This is angled into the pads, it is pushed to mid on.

Azhar Ali the skipper walks in to bat.

2.5

W

OUT! CAUGHT! Masood has been dismissed off a full toss! Rajitha himself can't believe he has struck on that delivery. Also, this time it is a legal ball. Masood slowly walks back and this is the perfect start for the Lankans. Masood creams this but does not keep it down. It goes straight to mid off where Chandimal takes a simple catch.

2.4

.

A good bumper this, Masood thinks of pulling it but then it zips through and he lets it be.

2.3

.

Fuller and around off, Masood strokes it nicely but straight to mid off.

2.2

.

On the pads, it is worked to mid-wicket.

2.1

.

Outside off, not played at.

1.6

.

On off defended off the back foot.

1.5

.

An appeal for LBW! Not given. On a length and around off, Ali looks to defend it to the off side but the ball keeps low and just takes the bottom of the bat. Vishwa Fernanado appeals but the umpire is unmoved. He then looks towards his skipper and Karunaratne calms him down. Replays later show that the decision of the SL skipper was good enough.

1.4

.

Good length and outside off, Ali leaves it alone.

1.3

2

Abid Ali gets off the mark here. He just clips one off his pads through mid-wicket and gets a couple.

1.2

.

On a length and around off, defended back to the bowler off the full face of the bat.

1.1

.

Length and outside off, left alone.

0.6

.

On off, blocked. End of a good first over by Rajitha.

0.5

.

A yorker now on off, Masood looks to jam it out but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

0.5

1nb

Edged and taken! Has he or is it just short? Sri Lanka are claiming it and the umpire takes it upstairs. The SOFT SIGNAL IS NOT OUT! A length delivery around off, it angles away. Masood looks to defend but the ball goes off the outside edge and towards gully where Perera seems to have taken a low catch. An appeal but the umpire is not sure. He has a chat with the other umpire and then takes it upstairs. Replays roll in and guess what? Rajitha oversteps. No need of moving ahead as it is not a legal delivery. Also, the ball did not carry so it would have remained not out.

0.4

.

Fuller in length and on middle and off, Masood blocks it solidly off the front foot.

0.3

.

On a length and outside off, Masood leaves it by shouldering arms.

0.2

.

Length and around off, defended to the leg side.

0.1

.

Good start for Sri Lanka. Rajitha does not get the swing as he keeps it outside off. Masood lets it go.

Around 90 overs is what Pakistan will have to bat out today! Do not see a result possible unless an innings is forfeited by both the sides but don't see that happening. Lanka will hope they can somehow bundle Pakistan out for a very, very low score, they though will have to do that twice. The visitors are probably the only team that can win from here but if they do so, it would be nothing more than a shock.

SO SRI LANKA HAVE DECLARED! They were waiting for Dhananjaya to get to his ton and once he did that, they declared almost immediately. Over 4 days is what it took for the first innings to end. Dhananjaya de Silva was the star for the Lankans with the bat with a ton. There were starts for the others but none of them could make most of it. They though have managed to post a good first innings score.

96.6

.

Good length and on off, punched off the back foot towards off side.

96.5

.

On a length and outside off, left alone.

96.4

.

On off, it is kept out.

96.3

1

Defended off the back foot by the batsman. One run added to the total.

96.2

4

FOUR! 100 for Dhananjaya Silva! Finally the moment arrives for him. He came out to bat on the first day and gets to his ton on te 5th. He's had to wait, wait and wait due to the weather but finally gets to the milestone which will still be extremely pleasing. His 6th ton in Tests. He gets there by creaming this full delivery through covers. Takes his helmet off and soaks in the applause.

96.1

1

Length and on the pads, flicked through mid-wicket for a run.

95.6

.

BEATEN! A loose shot that. It is way too far outside off, de Silva goes after it away from his body but gets beaten.

95.5

.

That ball has taken the inside edge onto the pads.

95.4

1lb

This is angled into the pads, Perera looks to flick but misses. It hits the pads and rolls on the leg side and leg bye is taken.

95.3

1

Dhananjaya moves onto 97! Fuller and on off, this is pushed through covers for one.

95.2

.

Shorter and on middle, de Silva keeps it out.

95.1

.

On a length and around off, Dhananjaya plays it nice and late and onto the ground.

94.6

.

Good sensible batting. Perera defends this length ball off the back foot towards the off side.

94.5

4

FOUR! Perera is just playing a superb hand here. He this time sees the length early and lofts it through covers. There is a shout of 'Catch it' from the fielder but it is well in the gap as the ball crosses the fence with ease. That also brings up the 300 for Sri Lanka.

94.4

.

Outside off, defended to the off side.

94.3

.

Perera looks to flicks this length ball through the leg side but gets an inside edge onto his pads. The ball rills towards leg gully.

94.2

.

Beaten! Brilliant delivery for a right-hander. It lands on a length and outside off, just about manages to get it past the forward push of Perera.

94.1

.

On a length and on off, tapped towards the off side.

93.6

4

FOUR! Shah strays one on the pads and de Silva takes full toll of it as he just helps the ball on its way through fine leg. The fielder there dives across but fails to prevent the boundary.

93.5

2

Fuller in length and on the pads, Dhananjaya flicks it through square leg and takes a couple.

93.4

.

On a length and on middle, played towards the leg side.

93.3

.

Good length and on off, defended with a solid front foot defense.

93.2

2

Length ball on the pads, de Silva flicks it through mid-wicket for a couple.

93.1

.

Fuller length and on off, de Silva defends it to the off side.

92.6

.

Another length ball around off, this one comes back in a little. Dilruwan goes hard at it but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

92.5

4

FOUR! Slashes and slashes hard! Up and over the slip cordon! Shorter and outside off, Perera throws his bat at it. It goes off the outside edge and into the third man fence.

92.4

.

Another length delivery and on off, blocked.

92.3

.

Edged and short! This is on a length and around off, it pitches and skids through. Dhananjaya defends inside the line, it goes off the outside edge but well short of first slip.

92.2

1

Dhananjaya scores his first run today! Slightly shorter and outside off, de Silva pushes it through covers for one.

92.1

1

First run today! A loosener by Abbas. On the pads, it is worked down to fine leg for one.

Mohammad Abbas to bowl from the other end. 24-9-56-1 are his figures so far.

91.6

.

Good zip there! It lands outside off and skids through. Dhananjaya shoulders arms to this one. End of an over which started a couple of days ago.

We are all set for the action to get underway! The Pakistan team are out in a huddle and they now make their way out to the middle. The Lankan batters Dhananjaya de Silva and Dilruwan Perera follow them. Naseem Shah has one ball left and he will complete his over. Here we go...

Having said the above, the decision rests solely on Sri Lanka. They are the ones to make a call. When to declare? Or whether even to declare? Why to declare? Why to forfeit an innings? What if Pakistan chase down the target set? First Test of a series - play safe and go unscathed to second or play brave, take the risk of going 1-down but also have an opportunity to go 1-0 up? Pakistan, on the other hand, have nothing to lose. It is highly unlikely that they will lose from here, although, Pakistan being Pakistan, we don't know WHICH Pakistan will turn up.

So, recovering from the happiness of play happening, let us now focus to the game on hand. 98 overs, 4 innings left. What to expect? A tame draw. Let us twist the plot a bit. 98 overs, 2 innings left. Is there a possibility of a result? Well, the chances do go up by 50 percent at least. If Sri Lanka declare overnight or declare quickly this morning, if and when Dhananjaya gets to his century, then both teams forfeit an innings each, it roughly gives Pakistan a stiff target of around 300 in 90-odd overs. Does that give enough time to either side to enforce a result?

Give me some sunshine, give me more sunshine, give me another chance, I wanna get a result in this game... As-Salaam-Alaikum Pindi waalon! Greetings to the rest of the world too and thank you, thank you, thank you for joining us. Thank you for hoping that we would get some play today. And boy, when the whole world wishes from the bottom of its heart, the entire universe ensures that the wishes do come true! After 4 gloomy days, the ground is bathed in sunshine and the covers are off! We are going to have a Day 5 and we are going to have a Day 5 ON TIME in Rawalpindi!

... DAY 5 ...

STUMPS ON DAY 4. Well, we hoped against hope but when the weather is not good, nothing can happen. The conditions are not good enough for any action. Hardly any chance of that getting better. Which means that's it from Day 4 then. Nothing happened actually. Day 5 has better forecast than the last three days. Let's hope that we get the action on the final day of this historic Test. Will both the sides forfeit an innings each and make things exciting? Do join us at 0945 Local (0445 GMT) on Sunday. Till then, goodbye and take care.

We are hearing that LUNCH has been taken in Rawalpindi. There is nothing much to report right now, apart from the fact that two innings have ended in Perth while here, we are struggling to complete even one. Stay tuned for what we expect, another no-ball session. Hope that we are proved wrong.

UPDATE - 1045 local (0545 GMT) - No improvement. The skies stay overcast, the puddles remain firm while the covers cannot be removed because of the last factor.

UPDATE - 0945 local (0445 GMT) - As we said, the start on time is not happening as the covers are firmly on right now. While it is not raining and it looks quite bright, the overnight rain means that making the ground play-ready will take some time. Let's hope it remains bright and there's no more rain and once the game starts, we get some action. Stay with us for further updates.

We had a timely start on Day 1. Bad light interrupted the play of session 3. On Day 2, a timely start again but rain played spoilsport in the first session. After a long break, session 2 started but only for a few overs as bad light arrived to cut short the day. What happened on Day 3 then? A delayed start because of the overnight rain. Nothing happened in session 1. Finally, the second session started but lasted only 32 balls as players were taken off due to poor light. And, it never improved and that was curtains on Day 3. Now, what will happen on Day 4? Timely start or a delayed one? Well, let me give the bad news first up. There's been overnight rain and it's drizzling in Rawalpindi on and off and we are surely not going to start on time. But, well, we've been hoping against hope in the last couple of days so, let's hope again that we get action on Day 4. That's all we can do.

... Day 4, Session 1 ...

Now, 2 days left. First innings of the game still going on. We more or less know where the game is heading. Let's see how things pan out on the final two days of this match. Let's hope that the fans get to witness some action on Saturday, Day 4. We will love your company then. Do join us at 0945 Local (0445 GMT). Till then, goodbye and take care.

We are in with the final update then and unfortunately, it is not a good one. It is Stumps on Day 3. Just 32 balls bowled throughout the day's play. The overnight rain came into picture in the morning to delay the start. The groundsmen had to put in a massive effort to dry up the ground. They eventually managed to dry things up and the game did begin. However, after just 32 balls, the light faded and the players went off. And, then the waiting game begun and it eventually ends with this.

Tea time is over. The wait for the game to resume has not. The umpires are out in the middle. A few Sri Lankan players are out too, having some fun. Let's see if we get any more play. Stay with us for further updates.

UPDATE - 1500 local (1000 GMT) - Light remains the same. The umpires have taken an early Tea. Let's be hopeful that there's a positive news when we return.

UPDATE - 1430 local (0930 GMT) - There's no rain but no game either. The light is not good. The wait game continues. Fans are still waiting, patiently. They are hoping for some action. We hope too.

UPDATE - 1400 local (0900 GMT) - Nothing positive to update. What are the chances of lights improving? Sun to come out? Will it? We can only hope. If there's anything positive, we will let you know.

The light meter is out. And seems like we are going off. Yes, the light is not good enough. And, the umpires have taken the players off. Just 32 balls bowled and that's it. Not sure what are the chances of light improving at this moment. The umpires check the light again and even they go off now.

91.5

.

Beaten! Lot of swing on this one. Pitched around off, de Silva looks to feel for it but the ball moves away from him and falls just in front of Rizwan. Well collected by him.

91.4

.

Fuller one outside off, driven towards mid off.

91.3

4

FOUR! Nope! No problems it seems for de Silva. Short of a length ball on middle, Dhananjaya rocks back and pulls this one towards mid-wicket for a boundary.

91.2

.

Around off again, this time de Silva defends it awkwardly. It is very gloomy out there and that might hamper the visibility of de Silva.

91.1

.

Good length ball just around off, defended well by de Silva.

90.6

.

Good length delivery outside off, Perera lets it go.

90.5

.

On a good length on off, Perera looks to defend but gets hit on the thigh pad.

90.4

1

Full delivery on middle, Dhananjaya flicks it through mid-wicket. The batsmen cross ends.

90.3

.

Outside off, de Silva offers no shot to this one.

90.2

.

On a length on off, Dhananjaya plays it towards point. De Silva wants the single but Dilruwan sends him back.

90.1

.

Outside off, Dhananjaya shoulders arms to this one.

89.6

.

Bowls a bouncer, Perera does well to duck under it.

89.5

1

Length delivery on off, Dhananjaya plays it towards point. The batsmen take a single.

89.4

.

Good length delivery on middle, de Silva keeps it out.

89.3

.

That just missed the stumps. On a good length and just outside off, Dhananjaya looks to cut but gets a bottom edge on this one. The ball bounces and he finds where the ball has gone. It just misses the leg stump by a whisker.

89.2

3

Full delivery on middle, Perera flicks it through mid-wicket. The batsmen get three runs.

89.1

.

BEATEN! On a good length and outside off, Perera looks to defend but misses it.

88.6

.

On a good length on off, Dhananjaya defends it out.

88.5

2

Full delivery outside off, de Silva drives it through covers again. The batsmen pick up a couple. Dhananjaya moves into the 80s.

88.4

1

Full again on off, Perera plays it towards point for a single.

88.3

3

Full delivery outside off, Dhananjaya drives it through covers. Azhar Ali chases it, slides and does well to stop it before the ropes. The batsmen get three runs.

88.2

.

Full delivery on off, Dhananjaya plays it to the off side.

88.1

.

Length delivery on off, Dhananjaya cuts it to point where the fielder makes a diving stop.

87.6

.

Around off and middle, Perera keeps it out coming forward.

87.5

.

Gets closer to off pole. This time Perera is in two minds. He plays in the line to get beaten.

87.4

.

Another leave! Pitches outside off and shapes away again. Perera is not going after these as he missed out on the first one.

87.3

.

Good length ball outside off, it shapes away as well. Perera shoulders arms again.

87.2

.

This time he makes a leave as it is again in the corridor outside off.

87.1

.

Beaten! In the channel outside off. Dilruwan goes to cut but misses out.

Teenagers opening the bowling. Naseem Shah to operate from the other end, partnering Shaheen Afridi.

86.6

4

FOUR! Lovely shot! Overpitched and outside off, de Silva leans forward and creams it through the covers. First runs and first boundary of the day.

86.5

.

This is closer to the off pole and on a good length, Dhananjaya blocks it out.

86.4

.

Afridi starts with a shortish length ball just outside off. De Silva taps it towards cover.

Finally, finally, the ground is ready and we are about to begin. The Pakistan players are out in the middle. They are followed by the overnight batters, Dhananjaya de Silva and Dilruwan Perera who walk out to resume their innings. Shaheen Afridi to resume his 20th over. Three slips and a gully in place. Here we go...

... Day 3, Session 2 ...

Great news! Lunch has been taken and play will resume soon. It will be a 150-minute session, light and weather allowing of course. Tea will be taken at 3.40 pm local (1040 GMT).

LUNCH HAS BEEN TAKEN IN RAWALPINDI. We have some good news as well, with the Sri Lankan players arriving at the ground and warming up. The covers are still on but the conditions have got much brighter. Fingers crossed that the rain forecast does not hold true.

UPDATE - 1030 local (0530 GMT) - Nothing positive to update. Or nothing bright, rather. The conditions stay gloomy and the weather forecast says that there is rain expected in the next hour. Ouch.

UPDATE - 0945 local (0445 GMT) - Yes, it is confirmed that the start will be delayed. The ground is entirely covered right now and there is a lot of water on the covers. The groundsmen are trying hard to remove the water off the covers. However, it will take a lot of time and we are in for a long delay.

Two days of the first Test are done and dusted. Which side has the upper hand? Well, none! It's rain and bad light who are winning at the moment. 68.1 overs were bowled on Day 1 and just 18.2 on Day 2. How many overs will we get to see on Day 3? There is no rain around at the moment. However, because of overnight rain, the covers are on and we are probably in for a delayed start. Let's hope once the game starts, rain stays away from Rawalpindi and allows us to enjoy the return of Test cricket in Pakistan. If that happens, Dhananjaya de Silva who's batting on 72 would look to take his side towards a decent first innings total while the Pakistan bowlers would hope to take the remaining 4 wickets as quickly as possible. What's on the cards? We will soon find out.

... Day 3, Session 1 ...

Now, just 86.3 overs bowled and two days of the Test are done and dusted. Getting a result out of this game is pretty much difficult, provided the rain is on the forecast for Day 3 as well. Well, the fans in Pakistan who had to wait for the longest of time for the return of Tests, they'd be hoping that the rain gods show some mercy and we get the full day's play on the third day's play. Interestingly, there's no early start on Day 3 too, which means we will begin the third day at 0945 local (0445 GMT). We will look forward to have your company. Till then, take care!

That means it is Stumps on Day 2. Just 110 balls were possible. Dhananjaya de Silva and Niroshan Dickwella were solid at the start. De Silva survived a close scare before getting to his half ton. The rain arrived soon after and halted the play. The play eventually started but once again it could only last for 10.3 overs before the light faded and players were off again. The play was eventually called off after rain returned.

UPDATE 1530 local (1030 GMT) - It is still raining. And it is dark too. And, the play has been abandoned for the second day.

UPDATE 1500 local (1000 GMT) - Well, the drizzles are back, so are the covers. The lights have gone worse too. Resumption looks really bleak now.

Light meters are out again. And, the Lankan batters are happily walking off. However, the Pakistan players too are going off now after waiting for a while. The umpires are still out in the middle. Looking very dark at the moment. Stay tuned for the further update.

86.3

.

BEATEN! On a good length and outside off, de Silva looks to play inside the line but misses it.

86.2

.

On a good length on off, Dhananjaya plays it back towards the bowler where Shaheen Afridi picks the ball and takes the stumps at the striker's end but no harm done.

86.1

1

Full delivery on off, Perera looks to drive but gets an inside edge on this one. It misses the stumps and goes towards fine leg. The batsmen cross ends.

85.6

.

On a good length on middle, Dhananjaya looks to drive but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

85.5

.

On a good length on off, de Silva keeps it out.

85.4

.

Good length delivery on middle, Dhananjaya defends it out.

85.3

4

Full delivery on off, Perera drives it through mid off. The batsmen get two runs.

85.2

1

Full delivery on middle, Dilruwan flicks it through mid-wicket. The batsmen take a single.

85.1

.

On a good length on off, Perera plays it to point.

84.6

1lb

Length delivery on leg, Perera looks to flick but gets it off the pads. It goes towards the leg side. The batsmen take a single. The umpire gives it as a leg bye.

84.5

.

NOT OUT! Pitched outside leg. Review lost. But cannot really blame Afridi for coaxing his captain. That looked to be umpire's call on height but to the naked eye, did not look like it was pitched outside leg. It was on a length, Dilruwan looked to flick but missed and was hit on the pads. There was a loud appeal but the umpire turned it down. Afridi felt it looked good, but Azhar Ali reckoned it was high. Still, for his bowler, he took the review. Tough luck.

Huge LBW shout! Is that gone? No, says the umpire. Azhar Ali reckons it is high but Afridi is adamant it is out. The review is taken. Looks high. Oh dear... PITCHED OUTSIDE LEG. End of story.

84.4

.

BEATEN! Beauty of a delivery from Afridi. On a good length and outside off, Perera looks to defend but misses it due to the inswing on this one.

Dilruwan Perera is the next batsman in.

84.3

W

OUT! That is taken and it is Shaheen Afridi who provides the breakthrough! This is a huge scalp. Sri Lanka do not have too much of batting beyond Dilruwan Perera. With the ball still new, they can get into the tail pretty quickly. Full and wide outside off, Dickwella reaches out and slices it through point. It is hard, fast and low to gully but Babar Azam gets low and takes it! Dickwella's watchful innings ends. He was looking to attack the second new ball but is gone now.

84.2

.

Good length delivery on middle, Dickwella defends it off the back foot.

84.1

.

On a good length on off, Dickwella defends it off the front foot.

83.6

.

Outside off, de Silva leaves it alone.

83.5

1

Length delivery on middle, Dickwella flicks it through mid-wicket. The batsmen cross ends.

83.4

.

BEATEN! Full delivery outside off, Dickwella looks to drive but misses it as he was late in driving that ball. The ball also swung there.

83.3

.

Good length delivery on middle, Dickwella defends it off the back foot.

83.2

4

FOUR! Terrific shot. Full delivery on middle, Dickwella flicks it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

83.1

.

Full and outside off, Niroshan looks to drive it through the off side but inside edges it onto the pads.

Naseem Shah comes on now! 20-4-65-2 are his figures so far.

82.6

4

EDGE AND FOUR! Full delivery outside off, Dhananjaya looks to drive but gets an outside edge. It goes between second slip and gully towards third man for a boundary.

82.5

.

Good length delivery on middle, Dhananjaya looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

82.4

1

On a good length on off, Niroshan looks to slice but it goes off the outside edge. It goes through point. The batsmen take a single.

82.3

2

Length delivery outside off, Dickwella punches it through point. The batsmen pick up a couple.

82.2

.

BEATEN! That was close to the off stump! Good length delivery just outside off, Dickwella looks to defend but misses it. It missed the off stump by a whisker.

82.1

.

On a good length and outside off, Dickwella taps it to point.

81.6

1

On a length on off, Niroshan plays it towards point. The batsmen take a single.

81.5

1

On a length on middle, de Silva nudges it towards square leg. The batsmen take a run.

81.4

4

FOUR! Nice shot. Length delivery outside off, Dhananjaya guides it uppishly towards third man for a boundary. 50-run stand is up between Dhananjaya de Silva and Niroshan Dickwella.

81.3

.

Outside off, Dhananjaya offers no shot to this one.

81.2

1

On a length on middle, Dickwella flicks it towards square leg. The batsmen cross ends.

81.1

.

Length delivery on leg, Dickwella looks to flick but misses it.

80.6

2lb

On a length on middle, de Silva looks to flick but gets it off the pads. It goes towards square leg. De Silva wants a quick single. The square leg fielder hares at the ball, picks it up and scores a direct hit at the non-striker's end. However, de Silva has made his ground. However, the ball deflects towards wide of mid off and an extra run is conceded.

Usman Shinwari comes onto bowl. 14-4-47-1 are his figures so far.

80.5

.

On a good length on leg, Dhananjaya looks to flick but gets hit on the pads.

80.4

2

Full delivery outside off, Dhananjaya drives it through covers. The batsmen get two runs.

80.3

.

Full delivery on off, Dhananjaya drives it to mid off.

80.2

.

Good length delivery on off, de Silva plays it to the off side.

Pakistan have taken the second new ball.

80.1

.

On a good length and outside off, Dhananjaya offers no shot to this one.

New ball is available but Pakistan do not opt for it as yet. However, Shaheen Afridi is into the attack for the first time. 16-6-37-1 so far.

79.6

.

Flighted delivery on middle, Dickwella defends it out.

79.5

.

Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

79.4

.

Tossed up delivery on middle, Niroshan blocks it well.

79.3

.

Floated delivery on off, Dickwella keeps it out.

79.2

2

Tossed up delivery on leg, Dickwella plays a paddle sweep towards fine leg. The batsmen get two runs.

79.1

4

FOUR! Tossed up and on off, Dickwella is superb playing spin. This time he sweeps it through backward square leg for a boundary.

78.6

.

The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

78.5

.

Loopy delivery on off, de Silva keeps it out.

78.4

1

Floated delivery on off, Dickwella plays a reverse sweep through point. The batsmen cross ends.

78.3

.

Flighted delivery on off, Dickwella looks to play the reverse sweep but gets hit on the pads.

78.2

.

Tossed up delivery on middle, Dickwella defends it off the back foot.

78.1

.

Flighted delivery on middle, Dickwella defends it off the front foot.

77.6

.

Fires this just outside off, de Silva looks to nudge it towards third man but the keeper does well to field by diving to his right.

77.5

.

Another one on the stumps line, it is defended.

77.4

.

Flatter and on middle, pushed back to the bowler.

77.3

.

Down the leg side this time. Dhananjaya lets it be.

77.2

2

Fires this on the pads, de Silva flicks it behind square leg for a couple.

77.1

.

Shafiq starts with a ball around off, de Silva looks to drive but the ball takes the inner half of the bat and goes towards long on.

Asad Shafiq to bowl from the other end. Probably, Pakistan are thinking to take the new ball quickly.

76.6

1

Shortish and outside off, de Silva punches it through covers for a single.

76.5

1

Flighted one on middle, Dickwella sweeps it towards deep square leg for a single.

76.4

.

Appeal for LBW but nothing from the umpire. A full ball on the pads, Dickwella looks to sweep but misses to get hit on the pad. A stifled appeal from the bowler but the umpire is not interested.

76.3

.

On middle, it is defended.

76.2

.

This one is on middle, Dickwella pushes it towards mid-wicket.

76.1

.

Sohail starts with a loopy ball on middle, Dickwella tucks it towards square leg.

We are finally ready to resume. It is still very cloudy as the floodlights are on and it looks very dark out there. The Pakistan players are out in the middle. Dhananjaya de Silva and Niroshan Dickwella will resume their innings for Sri Lanka. Spin to start after the lengthy break as Haris Sohail starts the proceedings for the hosts.

UPDATE 1335 local (0835 GMT) - Yes, the covers are completely off and the umpires are inspecting the 22 yards and square of the ground. We should soon have an official word. So, the final word is, if there is no further rain, play will resume at 1345 local (0845 GMT).

UPDATE 1310 local (0810 GMT) - More good news as the covers are coming off. We shouldn't be far away from the resumption of play.

UPDATE 1300 local (0800 GMT) - We have gone past the scheduled time for the inspection. No official updates yet. We are hearing that the rain has stayed away and the ground staff are working to make the ground ready for the resumption. Also, just to inform everyone who were surprised because of the exclusion of Yasir Shah, there is news regarding the spinner. The PCB has released him from the squad so that he can work with spin consultant Mushtaq Ahmed at NCA. He will be joining the team before the start of the second Test in Karachi. Apparently, as per the PCB, Mushtaq Ahmed was appointed as spin bowling consultant last week. According to his contract, he will work 120 days in a year at the National Cricket Academy with the U16, U19 and other domestic bowlers. As and when required, he will work with the national team.

UPDATE 1235 local (0735 GMT) - So, the official word is that there will be an inspection in 15 minutes time. It is looking a lot brighter than it was earlier in the morning. Hopefully, rain will stay away and we will have the resumption soon.

UPDATE 1230 local (0730 GMT) - The Lunch break is done and dusted. The good news is that the rain has stopped. However, the covers remain firmly on the pitch and on the square. Let's hope it gets brighter and we resume the game soon.

... Day 2, Session 2 ...

UPDATE 1130 local (0630 GMT) - The drizzle continues and we have the covers firmly put on. The situation looks really bleak at the moment. And the umpires have called for an early Lunch. Let's hope to have a better news post this break. We will keep updating as and when we have any positive news.

UPDATE 1045 local (0545 GMT) - So, not good signs as rain has got heavier and we have the entire square covered along with the pitch.

There you go. The lights have faded. Drizzle in the air too. Off go the players and on come the covers. Just 7.5 overs of play has happened today where the Lankans have looked solid with de Silva raking up an unbeaten half ton. De Silva survived a scare just before getting to his half ton. He had edged one behind but the ball bounced just in front of the gloves of the keeper. So, let's hope that the break is not a longer one and we are back soon.

75.6

.

Outside off, de Silva leaves it alone.

75.5

4

FOUR! Full delivery outside off, Dhananjaya looks to drive but gets an outside edge. It goes towards backward point for a boundary.

75.4

.

Outside off, de Silva shoulders arms to this one.

75.3

.

On a good length and outside off, Dhananjaya does not bother to play at that.

75.2

.

Again outside off, de Silva lets it go.

75.1

.

Outside off, Dhananjaya offers no shot to this one.

Light meter is out already. It is good enough to continue at the moment.

74.6

.

Outside off, Niroshan leaves it alone.

74.5

.

Full delivery outside off, Dickwella drives it to covers.

74.4

.

On a good length on off, Niroshan guides it to third man.

74.3

.

Good length delivery on off, Niroshan defends it out.

74.2

.

On a good length on middle, Dickwella offers a back foot defense on this one.

74.1

.

Good length delivery on off, Dickwella defends it off the front foot.

73.6

.

Outside off, Dhananjaya shoulders arms to this one.

73.5

.

Full delivery outside off, de Silva looks to drive but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

73.4

.

On a good length on off, Dhananjaya defends it off the front foot.

73.3

.

Bowls a bouncer, de Silva sways away from it.

73.2

2

50 for Dhananjaya de Silva. It is his 6th Test fifty. Full delivery on leg, Dhananjaya flicks it through square leg. The batsmen pick up a couple. This has been an excellent innings from him. He will look to convert this into a big one.

73.1

.

NOT OUT! It bounced just in front of the keeper before getting into the mitts. A good length ball outside off, asking de Silva to go for the drive. He obliges but manages an outside edge which goes behind. Rizwan behind the wicket pouches it diving forward and celebrates along with the bowler. The umpire is not sure if that carried so they get together and call for TV umpire for the assistance. The third umpire checks various angles which confirm that it bounced before getting into the gloves of the keeper there. So, de Silva survives.

Has that gone straight in the mitts of the keeper? Or is it a bump ball? The two umpires converge and ask for help from the TV umpire. The soft signal is out. So there has to be a conclusive evidence for the decision to be overturned. Looks like it has bounced just in front of the gloves. Load not out says the TV umpire as he confirms that it bounced just before getting into the gloves of Rizwan.

Drizzle in the air. However, not heavy enough for the players to go off.

72.6

.

On a good length on off, Niroshan defends it out.

72.5

.

Good length delivery on off, Dickwella plays it towards the off side of the front foot.

72.4

3

Short delivery outside off, Dhananjaya punches it through point. Usman Shinwari chases it, slides and does well to stop it before the ropes. The batsmen get three runs.

72.3

.

On a length on middle, de Silva flicks it to mid-wicket.

72.2

.

Good length delivery on middle, de Silva keeps it out.

72.1

.

On a good length on off, Dhananjaya defends it off the back foot.

71.6

1

Good length ball angled into the right-hander, de Silva tucks it behind square leg to take a single and keep the strike.

71.5

.

Full and on off, de Silva drives but can't beat the cover fielder who tumbles to his left to field.

71.4

.

Shortish and around off, de Silva rides the bounce and defends it towards cover.

71.3

.

On off, pushed towards point.

71.2

.

On off, de Silva gets behind the line to defend.

71.1

1

Slightly short and outside off, Dickwella taps it through point for a single.

70.6

1

Almost dragged on! Shortish ball just outside off, Dickwella looks to cut but gets an inside edge which goes just past the stumps and towards fine leg for a single.

70.5

.

Beaten! A cutter from Abbas. Dickwella pokes at it to get beaten. Because of the pace variation from Abbas, the ball died well ahead of Rizwan.

70.4

2

Fuller ball outside off, Dickwella drives it through cover-point and picks up a brace.

70.3

.

Slightly shortish around off, pushed towards cover.

70.2

.

Good length ball on off, Dickwella is solid in his defense again.

70.1

.

Around off and on a length, Dickwella lunges and defends it out.

69.6

2

Overpitched again and outside off too. Dhananjaya leans and drives it through cover-point for a couple of runs.

Rain around the corner? The groundsmen thinks so as they are ready with the covers on the edge of the boundary. Let's hope it is just precautionary.

69.5

.

Fuller again and on off, de Silva drives it well but straight to mid off.

69.4

.

Fullish and on middle, de Silva gets his bat down in time to defend.

69.3

.

Around off on a length. Dhananjaya defends it out.

69.2

.

On off, de Silva keeps it out.

69.1

4

FOUR! Beautifully driven! An overpitched ball outside off, de Silva gets in the position and creams it through the covers for first boundary of the day.

Naseem Shah to bowl from the other end. 16-4-51-2 are his figures so far.

68.6

.

Good length ball around off and middle, Dickwella looks to drive but it goes to mid on off the inner half of the bat. Tight start from Abbas.

68.5

.

Landed around off, Dickwella pushes it back to the bowler.

68.4

.

Goes wide of the crease and tries to angle the ball in. It lands outside off and then comes back in. However, Dickwella has his timbers covered as he allows the ball to go the keeper.

68.3

.

This one is on middle on a length. Dickwella stays on the back foot and taps it towards the on side.

68.2

.

Abbas starts with a good length ball closer to the off pole. Dickwella lunges forward and defends it towards cover.

We are all set to begin Day 2. It is chilly and the floodlights are already on due to the thick cloud cover. The Pakistan players are out in the middle. Dhananjaya de Silva and Niroshan Dickwella will resume their innings for Sri Lanka. Mohammad Abbas will continue his unfinished over for the hosts. Here we go...

Danny Morrison has got Misbah-ul-Haq for a chat. Misbah says that he has been around for quite a sometime and he is happy to be around. Tells that in the domestic arena, they are trying to get quality players instead of looking for quantity. Feels that the domestic cricket needs to be the competitive. Believes that the work is in progress and in the future, everyone will get to see the quality. On the return of Test cricket in Pakistan, the Pakistan coach tells that it's a special feeling for the players and the entire crowd who have been waiting for Test cricket to return to the country for a long long time.

Test cricket's return to Pakistan saw an engrossing day's play. Sri Lanka started well but lost the path in the middle, losing wickets in quick succession. Skipper Karunaratne raked up a half ton while Fernando fell 10 short of it. However, once the opening stand was broken, the Pakistan pacers took two more to peg the Sri Lankan progress. Before things can go out of hands, Mathews and de Silva added 62 runs between them to pull things back. Mathews fell for 31 before poor light came into the picture to shorten the day. Now, will the lights allow us to get through the entire second day's play? Let's hope so. But what about the rain gods? Will they allow the day to start and then continue or will they play a spoilsport? Let's hope not and we witness a full day's play and another engrossing one too.

... Day 2, Session 1 ...

Right then! So the match hangs in the balance after a tough opening day's play. Sri Lanka do not have too much of batting depth left, so Pakistan will hope to keep them under 300. The pitch does not look to possess any demons and batters might enjoy it for the next 3 days. There is some wet weather forecast, so fingers crossed. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

Sri Lanka seemed to take the foot off the pedal after that 96-run opening stand. From a position of strength, they slipped to 127/4 before a 62-run stand between Angelo Mathews and Dhananjaya de Silva saved some face for the visitors. As far as Pakistan are concerned, they will be a touch disappointed that they could not pick up more wickets, but given the start they got, they would be happy to end the day on a happier note.

A mixed day for both sides. Pakistan lost the toss but were happy to bowl on what looked like a green wicket. Actually, there was some grass but there was hardly any use of it for Pakistan. They struggled in the opening session and it was only after Lunch that they managed to find some inspiration.

4.19 pm local - It did not take long, did it? Play has been called off for the day and that is STUMPS ON DAY 1. A sensible decision, as light does not improve in this part of the world at this hour and we would only have been wasting more time.

Well, the umpires are not too happy with the light. Gough puts the question to Kettleborough and the latter, being a senior umpire, takes the call. Is not happy at all with the visibility and calls for the groundstaff to put in the precautionary covers. The light meters are out and it does not seem like play will resume any time soon. Stay tuned though.

68.1

.

On a good length on off, Dickwella blocks it off the back foot.

67.6

.

Full delivery on middle, Dhananjaya drives it to mid on.

67.5

.

Good length delivery on off, de Silva defends it out.

67.4

.

On a good length on middle, Dhananjaya blocks it well.

67.3

.

Outside off, de Silva does not bother to play at that.

67.2

.

Good length delivery on middle, Dhananjaya looks to flick but misses it and gets hit high on the pads. The bowler appeals for lbw but the umpire shakes his head. Ball Tracker shows that it would have missed the stumps.

67.1

.

On a good length on middle, Dhananjaya flicks it to mid-wicket.

Change in bowling. Shaheen Afridi is back.

66.6

.

Good length delivery on off, Niroshan defends it off the front foot.

66.5

.

Full delivery on off, Dickwella plays it to covers.

Rizwan has his helmet out. He is going to stand up to the stumps now.

66.4

.

On a good length on off, Niroshan defends it off the front foot.

66.3

.

Outside off, Dickwella offers no shot to this one.

66.2

.

Good length delivery on off, Dickwella defends it off the back foot.

66.1

.

On a good length on middle, Dickwella tucks it to mid-wicket.

65.6

.

Length ball around off, Dhananjaya dabs it to gully.

65.5

2

Around the pads, Dhananjaya flicks it fine down the leg side and gets a couple.

65.4

1

On the pads, Dickwella glances it towards fine leg for a single.

65.3

4

FOUR! Good length ball on off, Dickwella gets on his front foot and drives it cleanly through covers for a boundary.

65.2

.

On a good length on off, Dickwella plays it to the off side.

65.1

2

The batsman drives this through the covers. The batsmen have picked up a couple of runs.

64.6

.

Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

64.5

.

The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

64.4

.

Length delivery on off, Dhananjaya taps it to point.

64.3

.

BEATEN! Full delivery outside off, Dhananjaya looks to drive but misses it.

64.2

.

Good length delivery on off, Dhananjaya keeps it out.

64.1

.

On a good length on off, Dhananjaya defends it off the back foot.

63.6

.

Outside off, Dickwella lets it go.

63.5

4

FOUR! Dickwella is off the mark. Not in the most convincing fashion but he won't mind. On the pads, Dickwella looks to flick but the ball goes off the inside edge fine down the leg side for a boundary.

Niroshan Dickwella is the next batsman in.

63.4

W

OUT! Edged and gone! We have just been joined by Predicto Praky here in the commentary zone and his favourite player has been dismissed. Can watch him for hours tirelessly. Sadly, he will have to watch his exit now. But what a rash shot. For hours, nothing seems to happen in this Test and all of a sudden, someone plays a poor shot and a wicket falls. Pace has done the trick. A length ball outside off, Mathews looks to punch it on the up but is beaten by pace. The ball zips through, takes the outside edge and flies at a good height to second slip where Asad Shafiq takes it nicely. The 62-run stand has been broken.

63.3

.

Full delivery on off, Mathews drives it to mid off.

63.2

.

Good length delivery on middle, Angelo defends it off the back foot.

63.1

.

Outside off, Mathews shoulders arms to this one.

Drinks Break. Hour that has belonged to the visitors. Dhananjaya de Silva and Angelo Mathews have done really well in this session. They have managed to see off the hour not just without getting harmed but also have managed to score runs at a brisk rate. Pakistan need to find a way to get rid of this stand.

62.6

3

Full delivery on middle, Mathews flicks it through square leg. The fielder chases it and does well to stop it before the ropes. The batsmen get three runs.

62.5

.

Good length delivery on off, Mathews defends it out.

62.4

1

On a length on middle, de Silva flicks it through square leg. The batsmen take a single.

62.3

.

Length delivery on off, Dhananjaya plays it to point.

62.2

.

On a good length on middle, Dhananjaya offers a solid defense on this one.

62.1

.

Play and a miss! On a good length and outside off, Dhananjaya looks to guide but misses it.

61.6

1

Good length delivery on middle, Dhananjaya defends it towards the leg side. The batsmen take a single.

61.5

4

FOUR! Good length ball around off, Dhananjaya plays it wide of gully with an educational edge and fetches himself a boundary. Smart batting this from De Silva.

61.4

.

On a good length on off, Dhananjaya defends it off the front foot.

61.3

.

BEATEN AGAIN! Beauty of a delivery. Good length delivery just outside off, Dhananjaya looks to defend but misses it.

61.2

.

BEATEN! On a good length and outside off, de Silva looks to cut but misses it.

61.1

.

Length delivery outside off, Dhananjaya plays it to point.

Naseem Shah is back.

60.6

.

On a length on middle, Mathews tucks it to mid-wicket.

60.5

.

Good length delivery on middle, Mathews defends it off the back foot.

60.4

.

Short delivery on off, Mathews cuts it to point.

60.3

.

That stayed low. On a good length on middle, Mathews does well to block it.

60.2

.

Good length delivery on middle, Angelo defends it out.

60.1

.

On a good length on off, Mathews blocks it well.

Abbas is back on. 16-4-46-1 are his figures so far.

59.6

4

FOUR! Well struck shot this from Dhananjaya. Overpitched on middle, Dhananjaya smashes it to the left of mid on. Abbas there dives but cannot do much about it as the ball goes past him and to the fence. Brings up the 50-run stand in style.

59.5

.

Around off, Dhananjaya defends it towards point.

59.4

.

Fuller on off, Dhananjaya drives it straight to short extra cover.

59.3

.

Fuller on off, Dhananjaya pushes it to cover.

59.2

4

FOUR! Runs coming thick and fast for the visitors now. Overpitched on the pads, Dhananjaya has no issues flicking it with power through mid-wicket for a boundary.

59.1

1

Poor bounce allows them to take a single. Full on off, Mathews glances it to the right of mid on. Abbas there gets down to stop it but ends up misfielding as the ball comes to him at an awkward bounce.

58.6

.

On a length and outside off, Dhananjaya plays it to point.

58.5

.

Full delivery outside off, de Silva offers no shot to this one.

58.4

.

Good length delivery on middle, Dhananjaya defends it off the back foot.

Shaheen looks to be in a lot of pain here as he is going to the pavilion along with the physio. Azhar Ali and Pakistan would be praying that he is not severely hurt and can bowl again.

58.3

.

Full again on off, Dhananjaya drives it to mid off.

58.2

.

Full delivery on off, de Silva drives it to point.

58.1

.

On a good length on off, Dhananjaya defends it to covers.

57.6

.

Back of a length on off, Mathews keeps it out. Good over for Sri Lanka. 9 runs off it.

57.5

.

Back of a length on off, AM after scoring two back-to-back boundaries defends it this time with calmness.

57.4

4

FOUR! Pulled away with disdain. Short ball on off, Mathews is quick to get on his back foot and hammer his pull through mid-wicket for a boundary.

Shaheen Afridi is down and looks like he has hurt his back here. The physio is out to have a look. Imam-ul-Haq is all set to field for him.

57.3

4

FOUR! Poor fielding from Naseem again. Full on middle, Mathews drives it through mid on. Naseem Shah at mid on is slow to react as the ball goes right between his legs. Shaheen Afridi gives it a chase and looks to pull it back but he fails to do so. He also ends up going down awkwardly on his back.

57.2

1

Length delivery on middle, de Silva flicks it through mid-wicket. The batsmen take a single.

57.1

.

On a good length on off, Dhananjaya defends it out.

56.6

1

Short delivery on middle, Dhananjaya pulls it through mid-wicket. The batsmen take a single.

56.5

4

FOUR! Almost chopped on! Good length ball outside off, Dhananjaya looks to punch it on the off side. He goes hard at it and ends up getting an inside edge on it. De Silva is a lucky man as the ball misses the stumps and goes towards fine leg for a boundary.

56.4

.

Good length delivery on off, de Silva defends it off the back foot.

56.3

1

On a length on middle, Mathews tucks it towards mid-wicket for a single. The fielder goes for a direct hit at the bowler's end but misses it.

56.2

.

On a length on off, Mathews plays it to point.

56.1

2

Full delivery on middle, Mathews flicks it through mid-wicket. The fielder chases it and does well to stop it. The batsmen pick up a couple.

Naseem Shah is back on.

55.6

2

Full delivery outside off, Dhananjaya drives it uppishly towards covers where the fielder does well to stop it but it goes through him. The fielder chases it and does well to stop it before the ropes. The batsmen pick up a couple.

55.5

.

Bowls a bouncer, de Silva does well to duck under it.

55.4

2

Full delivery on middle, Dhananjaya flicks it through mid-wicket. The batsmen take a single.

55.3

.

On a good length on off, Dhananjaya defends it off the back foot.

55.2

1

On a length on middle, Mathews flicks it through mid-wicket for a single. 150 up for Sri Lanka.

55.1

.

Length delivery on middle, Mathews pulls it to mid-wicket.

54.6

.

On a good length on off, de Silva keeps it out.

54.5

4

FOUR! Second boundary of the over. Short and outside off, Dhananjaya cuts it hard through point for a boundary. Sri Lanka getting a move on.

54.4

.

Full delivery on middle, Dhananjaya drives it to mid on.

54.3

4

FOUR! Good shot by de Silva! Length ball just outside off, Dhananjaya makes room and cuts it behind point for a boundary.

54.3

1nb

NO BALL! Afridi oversteps! Length delivery on off, de Silva taps it to covers.

54.2

.

On a good length on middle, de Silva defends it towards mid on off the back foot.

54.1

.

Outside off, Dhananjaya does not bother to play at that.

53.6

.

Full again on off, Mathews drives it to covers.

53.5

.

Full delivery on middle, Mathews drives it to mid on.

53.4

1lb

Length delivery on leg, Dhananjaya looks to flick but gets hit on the pads. It goes towards the leg side. The batsmen take a run. The umpire gives it as a leg bye.

53.3

1

On a length on middle, Mathews flicks it towards square leg. The batsmen cross ends.

53.2

.

On a good length on off, Mathews defends it off the back foot.

53.1

1

Length delivery on middle, Dhananjaya flicks it through mid-wicket. The batsmen take a single.

52.6

.

Outside off, Mathews leaves it alone.

52.5

.

On a good length on off, Mathews defends it off the back foot.

52.4

.

Outside off, Mathews shoulders arms to this one.

52.3

.

Length delivery outside off, Mathews punches it to point.

52.2

.

Full again on off, Angelo drives it to mid off.

52.1

.

Full delivery on off, Mathews drives it uppishly towards mid off.

51.6

.

Changes his line and goes full again. Dhananjaya pushes it to mid off. Maiden first up for Shinwari in the last session.

51.5

.

Hits the deck hard on off, Dhananjaya defends it off the back foot.

51.4

.

Good length delivery on off. Dhananjaya once again blocks it with a dead bat.

51.3

.

Once again it is full on off, Dhananjaya once again pushes it to mid off.

51.2

.

Usman goes full now on off. Dhananjaya pushes it to mid off.

51.1

.

Good length ball on off, Dhananjaya defends it off the back foot.

Usman Shinwari to bowl from the other end to start the session.

50.6

.

Full ball on off, driven towards the man at mid off.

50.5

.

Good cricket all round! A full ball wide outside off, Mathews creams it towards the cover region. Imam-ul-Haq there dives to his left and saves at least a couple of runs for his side. Lively start to the session here.

50.4

.

Fullish ball on middle and off, defended by Mathews.

50.3

.

Length ball outside off, Mathews does not fiddle with it.

50.2

.

Another very full ball, this time on middle. Angelo digs it out towards the bowler.

50.1

.

Starts the session with a yorker wide outside off, Mathews jams it out to the left of the bowler.

The Pakistan players are back out in the middle and are being given a team talk by their coach, Misbah-ul-Haq. They are followed out by the Sri Lankan batters, Angelo Mathews and Dhananjaya de Silva. Shan Masood will start the proceedings with the ball for the hosts with Mathews on strike.

... Day 1, Session 3 ...

An excellent session for the hosts. They were poor in the first session but have managed to pull their way back. 4 wickets and each pacer has bagged one. Shaheen Afridi started the proceedings. Naseem followed it up and then came Shinwari's moment in the spotlight as he bagged his maiden Test wicket. Abbas then joined the party. Sri Lanka would be unhappy with their effort as after a solid opening stand of 96 runs they crumbled. Their approach has been ultra defensive and have struggled to add runs along with losing wickets. The visitors need to rebuild and the current pair needs to hang in there and take their side out of troubled waters. Can the pair manage to achieve it or will Pakistan build on the momentum they got in this session? Join us after the break for the third and final session of the day.

49.6

1

Ohh... almost had the fifth one there. Smart bowling this from Shaheen. He takes the pace off the ball and bowls a slower one on off. Mathews is outfoxed by it and ends up flicking it uppishly but luckily that falls in no man's land away from the man at short mid-wicket. Dramatic way to end the session. That will be Tea on Day 1.

49.5

1

Full again on middle, Dhananjaya plays it towards mid on where Azhar Ali picks the ball and goes for a direct hit at the bowler's end but misses it. The batsmen still take a single.

49.4

.

Full delivery on middle, Dhananjaya drives it to mid on.

49.3

.

Good length delivery on middle, de Silva keeps it out.

49.2

.

On a good length on off, Dhananjaya defends it off the front foot.

49.1

.

Outside off, Dhananjaya shoulders arms to this one.

48.6

.

Good length delivery on middle, Angelo defends it off the back foot.

48.5

.

On a good length on off, Mathews plays it to point.

48.4

4

FOUR! Finally the barrage of dot balls comes to an end. Poor effort from Naseem. Slightly overpitched on middle, Mathews leans forward and drives it past mid on. Naseem Shah there is late and lazy in his dive and the ball goes past him to the fence.

48.3

.

Outside off, Angelo leaves it alone.

48.2

.

On a good length on middle, Mathews defends it off the back foot.

48.1

.

Short delivery outside off, Mathews cuts it to point.

47.6

.

Bowls a bouncer, Dhananjaya ducks under it.

47.5

.

Full delivery on middle, de Silva plays it to mid on.

47.4

.

On a good length on off, Dhananjaya defends it off the back foot.

47.4

2nb

NO BALL! Shaheen oversteps! Length delivery on middle, Mathews flicks it through mid-wicket. The batsmen take a single.

47.3

.

Full again on middle, Mathews drives it to mid on.

47.2

.

Full delivery on middle, Angelo flicks it to mid-wicket.

47.1

.

Good length delivery on middle, Mathews defends it off the back foot.

Shaheen Afridi is back on. 11-4-24-1, his numbers so far.

46.6

.

Full delivery on middle, Dhananjaya flicks it to mid-wicket.

46.5

.

On a good length on off, Dhananjaya blocks it off the front foot.

46.4

.

Bowls it down the leg side, Dhananjaya looks to flick but misses it.

46.3

.

Outside off, Dhananjaya leaves it alone.

46.2

.

On a good length on off, Dhananjaya blocks it off the front foot.

46.1

.

Good length delivery on middle, Dhananjaya blocks it off the front foot.

45.6

.

On a good length on off, Mathews defends it off the front foot.

45.5

.

Good length delivery on off, Angelo defends it off the back foot.

45.4

.

Bowls a bouncer outside leg, Mathews does well to duck under it.

45.3

.

On a good length on off, Mathews plays it to point.

45.2

.

Full on off, Mathews flicks it to the right of mid off. The fielder there dives on that side and saves runs for his side.

45.1

.

Length delivery on off, Mathews defends it towards cover.

44.6

.

Outside off, Dhananjaya does not go chasing after it.

44.5

2

Dhananjaya is off the mark. Lose ball from Abbas. It is on the pads, Mathews glances it towards fine leg and gets a couple to get off the mark.

44.4

.

Length delivery on middle, Dhananjaya tucks it to mid-wicket.

44.3

.

On a good length on off, Dhananjaya blocks it off the back foot.

Dhananjaya de Silva is the new man in.

44.2

W

OUT! Bowled! Abbas now with the wicket. All four pacers have a scalp to their name. Beautiful ball this. A perfect seam bowler's wicket. Good length ball on middle and off, Chandimal looks to defend but the ball moves away off the seam and squares Dinesh all ends up. It hits the top of off stump. Abbas is jumping up and screaming in joy. Poor from Chandimal as well, his feet never moved and Sri Lanka after a good start are falling like a pack of cards.

44.1

1

On a good length on off, Mathews taps it towards point. The batsmen take a single.

43.6

2

Length delivery on middle, Chandimal flicks it through mid-wicket. The batsmen pick up a couple.

43.5

.

Full delivery on off, Chandimal drives it to covers.

43.4

.

Good length delivery on middle, Chandimal blocks it well.

43.3

.

Full delivery outside off, Dinesh drives it to covers.

43.2

.

On a good length on middle, Chandimal plays it to mid on off the back foot.

43.1

.

Outside off, Chandimal shoulders arms to this one.

42.6

.

On a good length on leg, Mathews looks to flick but gets hit on the thigh pad.

42.5

.

Full delivery on middle, Mathews flicks it towards mid-wicket where the substitute fielder Yasir Shah does well to stop it with a dive.

Slight issue around the sightscreen. Well Roshan Abeysinghe is standing around the sightscreen and he has been told to move.

42.4

.

On a good length on middle, Mathews looks to defend but gets an inside edge on it. It goes towards the leg side.

42.3

.

Good length delivery on off, Mathews defends it off the back foot.

42.2

.

Outside off, Angelo lets it go.

42.1

4

EDGED AND FOUR. Fuller on off, Angelo looks to defend but the ball shapes away just a tad. It takes the outside edge of Mathews' bat. It goes all along the ground through the vacant gully region for a boundary. The key there was he played it with soft hands.

Dinesh Chandimal is the next man in.

41.6

W

OUT! Caught! Debut Test wicket for Usman Shinwari and he deserves every bit of it. He was unlucky in his first spell but this time he has a wicket to his name. He has persisted with the off pole line and that has reaped its reward. Slightly fuller outside off, he comes wide of the crease. The ball straightens up after pitching. Kusal Mendis strides forward to defend but ends up getting a thick outside edge and goes straight into the mitts of the keeper. Rizwan takes an easy-peasy. Usman Shinwari is up in celebration. A wicket he will never forget. Third bowler to get into the wickets column. Pakistan have their tail up now.

41.5

.

Outside off, Kusal offers no shot to this one.

41.4

.

On a good length on off, Mendis defends it off the front foot.

41.3

.

BEATEN! Good length delivery outside off, Mendis looks to defend but misses it.

41.2

.

Outside off, Kusal shoulders arms to this one.

41.1

.

On a good length on middle, Mendis defends it off the back foot.

40.6

.

Length delivery on middle, Mathews flicks it to mid-wicket.

40.5

.

On a length on off, Mathews taps it to point.

40.4

1

Length delivery on middle, Mendis pulls it towards square leg for a run.

40.3

.

Full delivery on middle, Mendis drives it to mid on.

40.2

.

Outside off, Mendis leaves it alone.

40.1

.

On a good length on off, Kusal defends it off the back foot.

39.6

.

Outside off, Angelo does not bother to play at that.

39.5

2

Length delivery on off, Mathews punches it through point. The batsmen get two runs.

39.4

.

On a good length on middle, Mathews keeps it out.

39.3

.

Good length delivery on off, Angelo defends it off the front foot.

39.2

1

Length delivery on off, Mendis taps it through point. The batsmen take a run.

39.1

.

Full delivery on off, Mendis looks to defend but gets an edge on this one. It goes towards the slip region.

Usman Shinwari to bowl after the break. 5-1-17-0, his figures so far. He did manage to hit the stumps in his first spell but to his dismay the bails refused to fall down.

Drinks Break! A very good session so far for the hosts. They have managed to get rid of both the openers and with two relatively new batsmen at the crease they would look to strike a couple more before the end of the session. Sri Lanka will need to rebuild here they have a very talented batsman in Kusal Mendis and the experienced Angelo Mathews out in the middle. Can the duo succeed in doing so?

38.6

.

Full delivery on middle, Mathews defends it out.

38.5

.

Outside off, Angelo lets it go.

38.4

.

Good length delivery on middle, Angelo blocks it off the back foot.

38.3

.

On a good length on off, Mathews defends it off the back foot.

Ahhh... Mathews is not happy. Abbas comes steaming in, but Angelo bails out. Some disturbance behind the sightscreen.

38.2

1

Full delivery on leg, Mendis flicks it through square leg. The batsmen take a single.

38.1

.

On a good length on off, Mendis defends it off the front foot.

37.6

1

Full delivery on middle, Mendis flicks it towards mid-wicket for a single.

37.5

.

Good leave by Kusal Mendis. On a good length and outside off, Mendis leaves it alone.

37.4

.

Good length delivery on middle, Mendis defends it off the back foot.

37.3

.

Outside off, Mathews does not bother to play at that.

37.2

1

Length delivery on off, Angelo punches it towards point. The batsmen take a run.

37.1

.

Ohh! Almost the second for Naseem. He is making the ball talk now. Fuller on middle and off, Mathews looks to flick it but the ball goes off the leading edge. Angelo plays it with soft hands and hence the ball does not carry to the man at third slip. Ohhs and ahhs from the Pakistan players. Right now Naseem has his tail up and he would be eager to add one more to his account.

36.6

.

On a length on off, Kusal plays it to point.

36.5

.

Good length delivery on off, Kusal blocks it well.

36.4

.

On a good length on middle, Mendis defends it off the back foot.

36.3

4

FOUR! Good shot. Length delivery outside off, Mendis taps it through point for a boundary.

36.2

.

On a good length on off, Kusal punches it to point.

36.1

.

Good length delivery on off, Mendis keeps it out.

35.6

.

Length delivery on middle, Angelo tucks it to short leg.

35.5

.

On a good length and outside off, Mathews lets it go.

35.4

.

Outside off, Mathews offers no shot to this one.

Angelo Mathews is the new batsman in.

35.3

W

OUT! Caught! Naseem has the last laugh. Both the openers back in the hut. The young pacer is ecstatic. Naseem after being hit for a boundary in the previous ball, hits the deck hard around off. It is in the channel of uncertainty. Oshada has a poke at it but gets surprised by the movement. The ball takes the outside edge and goes straight to the man at first slip. Haris Sohail there makes no mistake. After being lethargic in the first session, Pakistan are finding joy in this session.

35.2

4

FOUR! Uppish but safe. Full around off, Oshada drives it but it goes off the outer half of his bat over covers. He stays true with the shot and hence the ball clears the infield for a boundary.

35.1

.

Full delivery on off, Oshada drives it to mid off.

34.6

.

Good length delivery on middle, Kusal defends it off the back foot.

34.5

.

On a good length on off, Mendis plays it to covers.

34.4

.

On a length and outside off, Kusal plays it to covers.

34.3

.

Length delivery on off, Kusal taps it to point.

34.2

.

Good length delivery on off, Mendis defends it off the front foot.

34.1

1lb

On a good length on leg, Oshada looks to flick but it goes off his thigh pad. It goes towards the leg side. The batsmen take a run. The umpire gives it as a leg bye.

Mohammad Abbas is back. He has struggled today so far but with Dimuth Karunaratne back in the pavilion can this be the turning point for him as well?

33.6

.

Good ball but also a very good leave. Good length delivery outside off, it shapes back in. Mendis is aware of his off pole and leaves it alone. The ball just about misses the stump there.

33.5

.

Full delivery on middle, Kusal flicks it to mid-wicket.

33.4

.

Play and a miss! Good length delivery outside off, Mendis looks to defend but misses it.

33.3

.

Bowls a bumper, Mendis easily ducks under it.

33.2

.

Good length delivery on off, Kusal defends it to covers.

33.1

.

This stayed low. Mendis is lucky to survive that. Length ball on off, Kusal looks to defend but the ball keeps low. He is quick enough to bend his back and gets some bat on it. It hits the inner half of his bat and onto the pads. Is this the sign of the pitch breaking down or just an odd ball?

32.6

.

Full delivery on off, Fernando drives it back towards the bowler.

32.5

.

Bowls a bouncer outside off, Oshada watches it sail through to the keeper.

32.4

1

Full delivery on off, Mendis drives it towards covers where Azhar Ali dives and makes a fine stop. The batsmen still manage to take a single.

32.3

1

On a length on middle, Fernando flicks it through mid-wicket. The batsmen take a run.

32.2

.

On a good length on leg, Mendis looks to flick but misses it and gets hit on the pads.

32.1

4

FOUR! Nicely placed. Good length ball around off, Oshada opens the face of the bar in the last minute and strokes in the gap wide of gully for a boundary. After initially taking it very slow, he is starting to score more consistently.

31.6

.

This time Mendis does not even try to defend this length ball outside off.

31.5

.

Beauty! This is a very good ball by young Naseem. He steams in and bowls it on a length. He holds it with a good seam position. The ball shapes away from the batter. Mendis looks to defend but gets beaten. Lucky not to edge that as that was not far away from the outside edge.

31.4

.

Length ball around off, Mendis solidly blocks it off his back foot.

31.3

.

Good length delivery on middle, Kusal defends it out.

31.2

.

Outside off, Mendis shoulders arms to this one.

31.1

.

On a good length on middle, Mendis defends it off the back foot.

30.6

1

Full delivery on leg, Mendis looks to flick but gets an inside edge. It goes towards square leg. The batsmen change ends.

30.5

.

Outside off, Kusal shoulders arms to this one.

30.4

.

Full delivery on off, Mendis drives it to mid off.

30.3

.

Outside off, Mendis shoulders arms to this one.

30.2

.

Bowls a bouncer outside off, Mendis lets it go.

Kusal Mendis walks in at number 3, replacing his skipper.

30.1

W

OUT! LBW! Sri Lanka lose one of their two reviews. Finally the hosts get the breakthrough. They have been made to toil hard for it but jubilation in the end for the fans and the players. Shaheen once again is the man with the wicket. Shaheen bowls a very full ball on middle. Dimuth looks to defend but he misses and the ball hits him low on the pads. The Sri Lankan skipper opts to take it upstairs. Replay rolls in and though it looks like it might be missing the stumps, Ball Tracker shows all reds and Karunaratne has to walk back. Big wicket for Pakistan. Karunaratne was looking set for a big one but he departs. Can this inspire the hosts who have been timid so far in this Test?

There is an appeal for lbw! Sri Lanka have taken the review. No bat. Three reds. Gone!

29.6

1

Length delivery outside off, Karunaratne taps it through point. The batsmen take a single.

29.5

.

On a good length on off, Karunaratne punches it to point.

29.4

1

Length delivery on middle, Fernando flicks it towards square leg for a run.

29.3

.

Good length delivery on middle, Oshada keeps it out.

29.2

4

FOUR! Excellent shot. Full delivery outside off, Fernando drives it beautifully through covers for a boundary.

29.1

.

On a good length on off, Fernando defends it off the back foot.

28.6

.

Full again on middle, Dimuth drives it to mid on.

28.5

.

Full delivery on off, Karunaratne drives it straight back towards the bowler.

28.4

.

On a good length on off, Dimuth defends it out.

28.3

.

Length delivery on off, the skipper taps it to covers.

28.2

.

On a good length on middle, Karunaratne defends it to mid on off the back foot.

28.1

.

Good length delivery on off, Dimuth defends it off the front foot.

27.6

.

Bowls a bouncer on the leg side, Oshada lets it sail through to the keeper.

27.5

.

On a good length on off, Fernando defends it off the back foot.

27.4

.

Outside off, Oshada shoulders arms to this one.

27.3

.

Good length delivery on off, Fernando defends it off the back foot.

27.2

1

On a length on middle, Karunaratne flicks it towards square leg for a run.

27.1

.

On a good length on off, Karunaratne taps it to point.

Naseem Shah to bowl from the other end. 5-1-12-0 so far.

26.6

.

Outside off, Oshada leaves it alone.

26.5

.

On a good length on off, Oshada defends it off the front foot.

26.4

.

Full delivery on middle, Oshada drives it to mid on.

26.3

.

Outside off, Fernando shoulders arms to this one.

26.2

.

Full delivery on off, Oshada drives it to covers.

26.1

.

On a good length on off, Fernando drives it to covers.

We are back for the second session. The Pakistan players are out in the middle. Dimuth Karunaratne and Oshada Fernando will resume their innings for Sri Lanka. Shaheen Afridi will start the proceedings for the second session.

... Day 1, Session 2 ...

If no wickets fell in the opening session, how many do you expect come the second, which is known to be a batsman's paradise? One can expect the run rate to increase and the bowlers to feel the toil in the afternoon sun. In this process, if a rash shot produces a wicket, it might come by, else, it may be a lonnggggg one for the hosts. Join us back at 12.25 pm local (0725 GMT).

Test cricket is all about patience. It took Oshada Fernando 20 balls to get off the mark and 26 to score his first boundary. You look at the partnership and will find that it is skewed. 57 to one, 26 to the other! Normally, this takes a toll on the other partner. But Karunaratne has not let that affect him. He is happy to play his own game, allowing the other guy to play his own and slowly settle in. Might as well bear the fruits of it, if Oshada opens up post Lunch.

What is wrong with Mohammad Abbas? Is he good only with the old ball when it becomes to reverse? An uninspiring beginning - 8-2-29-0, with no consistent line and length, that he is usually known for. Is he down on confidence? The others at least bowled consistently but sadly for them, nothing in the pitch aided them.

A session which did not see much happen, in spite of it being the first of a Test match. The ball barely moved and there were hardly any event balls, with a few missing the stumps and a couple taking the outside edges. There was a moment when Karunaratne was bowled but the bails did not fall. However, other than that, a fairly ordinary bowling session.

Lot to think about for Azhar Ali. A wicketless opening session, on a pitch which had a bit of grass. Chilly conditions, slightly overcast to begin with and mainly - NO REGULAR SPINNER. Clearly, he would have wanted more. At least a wicket.

25.6

1

Short delivery outside off, Oshada makes room and cuts it through point for a single. Pakistan fielders anxiously look at Kettleborough, hoping for one more over but he takes the bails off. THAT WILL BE LUNCH ON DAY 1!

25.5

6

SIX! Ahahaha! We are seeing the first maximum of the match! Amazing shot. Flighted delivery on middle, Fernando comes down the track and lofts it over the bowler's head for a biggie. Perhaps this will be the last over before the break now.

25.4

1

Tossed up on leg, Karunaratne comes down the track, takes it on the full and flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.

Interesting. Rizwan encourages his fielders to quickly get back to positions. 'EK AUR OVER KARNA HAI, EK MINUTE BAAKI HAI!' he screams, meaning that let's do one more over guys, one minute is still left on the clock.

25.3

.

Floated delivery on off, Dimuth keeps it out.

25.2

1

Flighted delivery on off, Oshada drives it through covers. The batsmen take a single.

25.1

.

Tossed up delivery on middle, Fernando sweeps it to mid-wicket.

Spin to probably bowl the final over before Lunch. No Yasir, so Haris Sohail is on.

24.6

4

FOUR! Nice shot. Full and outside off, Dimuth drives it through covers for a boundary.

24.5

.

On a good length on off, Karunaratne defends it out.

24.4

.

Good length delivery on middle, Dimuth blocks it off the back foot.

24.3

.

On a good length on middle, the skipper defends it off the front foot.

24.2

.

Outside off, Dimuth shoulders arms to this one.

24.1

.

Good length delivery on off, Karunaratne defends it off the back foot.

23.6

.

Full again on off, Oshada drives it to covers.

23.5

.

Full delivery on middle, Oshada drives it to mid on.

23.4

1

On a good length and outside off, Dimuth looks to defend but gets an outside edge on this one. It goes towards third man. The batsmen cross ends.

23.3

4

FOUR! 50 for Dimuth Karunaratne. It is his 24th in Tests. Full delivery outside off, Karunaratne looks to defend but gets an outside edge. However, it is played with soft hands. Hence, it goes all along the ground, past a diving second slip, to the third man fence.

23.2

.

On a length and outside off, Karunaratne taps it to point.

23.1

.

Outside off, Dimuth offers no shot to this one.

Shaheen Afridi is back on. 6-2-11-0 are his figures so far.

22.6

.

On a good length on off, Fernando taps it to point.

22.5

.

Good length delivery on off, Oshada plays it to the off side.

22.4

.

On a good length on off, Oshada blocks it off the back foot.

22.3

.

Full delivery on middle, Fernando plays it to mid on.

22.2

.

Outside off, Oshada shoulders arms to this one.

22.1

.

On a good length on off, Fernando defends it off the front foot.

21.6

.

On a good length on middle, the skipper tucks it towards short leg.

21.5

.

Length delivery on off, Dimuth punches it to point.

21.4

.

On a good length on off, Karunaratne keeps it out.

21.3

.

Bowls a bouncer, Dimuth does well to duck under it.

21.2

.

On a good length on off, the skipper defends it off the back foot.

21.1

4

FOUR! Not quite off the middle. Full delivery outside off, Karunaratne looks to drive but the ball moves away slightly and takes an outside edge. It goes past point for a boundary.

20.6

.

Good length delivery on middle, Oshada defends it to point.

20.5

.

On a good length on off, Fernando defends it off the front foot.

20.4

4

FOUR! Consecutive boundaries for Oshada. Pakistan losing their line and length now. Or, they are getting frustrated. Length delivery on the pads, Fernando flicks it towards fine leg for a boundary.

20.3

4

FOUR! CLASSY! Oshada is slowly getting into his groove now. Full and around off, Fernando drives this pretty straight, thumping into the ground first and then getting it well past mid on. Not straight as an arrow, but straight enough to beat the mid on fielder.

20.2

.

On a length and outside off, Oshada plays it to point.

20.1

.

Length delivery outside off, Fernando taps it to point.

19.6

.

Bowls a bouncer, Karunaratne ducks under it.

19.5

.

On a good length and outside off, Karunaratne offers no shot to this one.

19.4

.

BEATEN! Are we seeing the aftereffects of the hit on the head? Short and outside off, Dimuth looks to chase this delivery but misses it. No feet movement at all.

19.3

.

Bowls a bouncer on leg stump, the skipper does well to duck under it.

19.2

1

Full delivery on middle, Fernando drives it towards mid on and takes a quick single.

19.1

1

The leg stump is missed by a whisker! Wow. Things are slowly starting to happen. Excellent bowling too. Reads the batsman's mind, anticipating that Karunaratne would be expecting a bouncer, given that he got hit an over ago. But the length is a fuller one which takes Dimuth by surprise. He is late, as he is deep inside the crease and makes a tentative push towards cover. The ball, as a result, exposes the gap between bat and pad. Almost sneaks through but takes the inside edge and whizzes past the leg stump towards fine leg. A run taken.

18.6

.

On a good length on off, Oshada keeps it out.

18.5

2

Short and outside off, Fernando cuts it towards point where Shinwari misfields and it goes through him. Shan Masood chases it from cover and does well to stop it before the ropes. The batsmen pick up a couple.

18.4

.

On a length on middle, Fernando tucks it to mid-wicket.

18.3

.

On a good length on middle, Fernando flicks it to mid-wicket.

18.2

.

Full again on off, Oshada drives it past the bowler towards mid off.

18.1

.

Full delivery on off, Fernando defends it off the front foot.

The physio is out in the middle. Karunaratne does not look too dazed, so that is a good sign. He is wearing the right kind of protection, beneath the helmet, just about covering that region between the head and neck. He has got up and is ready to play now. Replays show that he did not get hit on the helmet at all. It is even below the neck, onto the shoulder almost.

17.6

.

OH! That was nasty! Karunaratne is on the ground. A sharp bouncer from Naseem, Dimuth looks to duck under it but the ball does not bounce as much as he thought it would. Gets hit on the helmet. It goes towards the gully region where the fielder takes the catch. Naseem straightaway starts to celebrate but then realizes that the batsman is in a bit of a bother. Asks the opposition skipper whether he is okay and umpire Kettleborough immediately calls for the physio to come out.

17.5

.

Outside off, Dimuth offers no shot to this one.

17.4

4

FOUR! Easy pickings for the skipper. Full delivery on middle, Karunaratne flicks it through mid-wicket for a boundary.

17.3

.

Outside off, the skipper does not bother to play at that.

17.2

.

Full delivery on middle, Dimuth defends it off the back foot.

17.1

.

On a good length on middle, Karunaratne defends it to mid-wicket.

16.6

.

Full and around off, watchfully defended towards cover.

16.5

1

Down the leg side, flicked through fine leg for a run.

16.4

.

Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off.

16.3

.

Around off, defended from the crease.

16.2

4

FOUR! Creamed. Nice way to bring up the 50-run stand. Karunaratne can play through the off side too. Full and outside off, Dimuth leans and drives it through the covers. Not a soul moves. This is a good solid start, though one feels that half the battle was won at the toss itself.

16.1

.

Length and on off, Karunaratne looks to work it to the leg side but gets hit on the pads.

Mohammad Abbas comes back on. 3-1-10-0 so far.

15.6

.

Length ball on off, defended off the back foot towards mid-wicket.

15.5

.

Another back of a length ball on off, Fernando once again defends it unconvincingly to the leg side.

15.4

.

Back of a length and on off, Fernando hops and defends it to the leg side.

15.3

.

Good length and on off, defended to mid on.

15.2

1b

BYE! Shah bowls one outside off and on a fuller length, Dimuth lets it go through. The ball fails to bounce and goes in between the keeper's legs towards fine leg. A bye is signalled as the batsmen cross ends.

15.1

.

Length and on off, defended to mid on off the front foot.

14.6

2

Length and around off, driven through covers. The batsmen take a couple.

14.5

4

FOUR! That is such a good shot. Sweet timing there. This should get the batsman going. He bowls one on a length and around off, Fernando drives it through mid off and the ball races to the long off fence.

14.4

.

Length and around off, blocked off the back foot to the bowler.

14.3

.

Around off, worked towards short mid-wicket.

14.2

.

Full and around off, watchfully defended.

14.1

1

Full and around off, Karunaratne looks to defend but the ball goes off the inside edge onto his pads and deflects to the leg side. A run taken.

DRINKS BREAK. A tough hour for the hosts. They have not found enough movement and when they have, wickets have not come by. Sri Lanka have not had to do much to survive and they have done decently to ensure that they are wicketless.

13.6

.

Full and around off, Oshada defends watchfully.

13.5

.

Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

13.4

1

Outside off, punched off the back foot for a single.

13.3

.

Length and on off, defended to the off side.

13.2

.

BEATEN! This time Shah bowls in the corridor of uncertainty. Dimuth looks to lay bat on ball but misses it as the ball goes past the outside edge and into the mitts of the keeper.

13.1

1

Finally Oshada Fernando is off the mark on the 20th ball he has faced. Though a risky one. Fernando won't mind it. Fernando works this length ball to the leg side and calls for a quick single. The fielder there pounces on the ball and throws it towards the non-striker's end. This time the bails come off but Fernando was well in.

Second bowling change of the morning. 16-year old Naseem Shah replaces Shaheen Shah.

12.6

.

Full and around off, coming in, pushed towards mid on.

12.5

.

OUT, BOWLED! Wait, the bails do not fall! Full and outside off, Karunaratne gets across and shoulders arms. The ball comes back in a long way and there is a noise as the ball goes past the pad. The bowler and keeper look to have a chat, as they feel it has hit the pad. Was the ball not doing enough to hit the stumps? Oh dear... here comes the replay. Ball has hit the off stump, but the bail has been rooted to the sticks!

12.4

.

Landed outside off, pushed straight to point.

12.3

2

A short ball now, Dimuth swivels and plays the pull nicely, well in control, all along the ground, through square leg. Two runs taken.

12.2

.

Full and outside off, swinging in, Karunaratne works it towards mid-wicket.

12.1

.

Huge appeal for LBW again! The umpire is unmoved. Shinwari is making Karunaratne dance to his tunes. He is getting good shape into the left-hander. He brings the ball in and Karunaratne is late in his flick shot as the ball hits him on the pads. An appeal goes up but the umpire shakes his head. Usman has a look at his skipper Azhar Ali who comes down for a chat. They are not too keen about the review but would not matter. Before they can take a call, they are timed out. The Ball Tracker later shows that the impact was in line but the wickets was umpire's call.

11.6

.

Around off, solidly blocked off the back foot by Fernando.

11.5

1

Tap and run. This is the way you play Test cricket. Shaheen bowls full and on the pads, Karunaratne pushes it to mid-wicket and hares to the other end.

Square leg has gone out. A short leg is in place as well.

11.4

.

Good length and around off, driven straight to the man at covers.

11.3

.

Length and around off, Karunaratne flicks it to mid on.

11.2

.

Fuller in length and on off, Dimuth looks to work it to the leg side but wears it on his thigh pad.

11.1

.

Full and swinging into Karunaratne, Dimuth defends it to the leg side off the front foot.

10.6

1lb

On a good length on leg, Karunaratne looks to flick but misses it and gets hit on the pads. The bowler appeals for lbw but the umpire shakes his head. It goes towards the leg side. The batsmen change ends. The umpire gives it as a leg bye.

10.5

2

Full delivery outside off, Karunaratne drives it through covers. The batsmen pick up a couple.

10.4

.

Outside off, Dimuth shoulders arms to this one.

10.3

.

On a good length on middle, Karunaratne keeps it out.

10.2

.

Good length delivery on off, Dimuth blocks it off the back foot.

10.1

.

On a good length on middle, Karunaratne defends it off the back foot.

9.6

.

Full delivery on leg, Fernando looks to flick but misses it and gets hit on the pads. It goes towards the leg side.

9.5

.

On a good length and outside off, Oshada does not bother to play at that.

9.4

.

Good ball! A yorker outside off, Oshada looks to dig it out but is comprehensively beaten.

9.3

.

On a good length on off, Fernando looks to play it off the front foot but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

9.2

.

Full delivery on off, Oshada drives it to mid off.

9.1

.

Afridi bowls a good length ball on off, Fernando looks to defend but gets hit on the thigh pad. The bowler appeals for lbw but the umpire shakes his head.

8.6

.

Good length delivery on off, Karunaratne offers a calm defense on this one.

8.5

.

On a good length on leg, Dimuth nudges it towards the leg side.

8.4

2

Full delivery on the pads, Karunaratne flicks it towards fine leg. Naseem Shah in the deep runs to his left, gets to the ball quickly but slips and misfields. Recovers well to stop the boundary and the batsmen pounce on the opportunity to take the second.

8.3

4

FOUR! The plan is set for that leg-side flick shot but Karunaratne has gone up and over. Not a bad ball at all. Plenty of swing but the skipper has played it nicely. Full and around middle, swinging in, Dimuth walks across and flicks it in the air. 'CATCH IT!' is the call but the ball is well over the man at square leg.

8.2

.

Hit on the pads again. On a good length on leg, Karunaratne looks to flick but misses and gets hit on the pads.

8.1

.

Terrific nut. Now, the ball is taking. Now, the seamers are awake. This is the ball with which Usman gets wickets in white-ball cricket. Full and outside off, Karunaratne walks across, looking to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. Usman appeals as he sees the batsman falling over but the umpire is unmoved. Probably going down the leg side. Yup, Ball Tracker confirms it to be going past the leg stump.

7.6

1

On a good length on off, Karunaratne plays it towards point. The batsmen cross ends.

7.5

.

Full delivery on middle, Dimuth drives it to mid on.

7.4

.

On a good length and outside off, Dimuth offers no shot to this one.

7.3

.

Good length delivery on middle, the skipper defends it out.

7.2

.

On a good length and outside off, Dimuth leaves it alone.

7.1

.

Bowls a bouncer, Karunaratne does well to duck under it.

6.6

.

Good ball to end the over. Outside off, fuller in length, Fernando shoulders arms to this one. The ball then moves a mile, but after it goes past the stumps. The slip cordon likes that.

6.5

.

Full again on off, Oshada drives it to covers.

6.4

.

Full delivery on middle, Oshada drives it to mid on.

6.3

.

On a good length on middle, Fernando plays it to mid on.

A bit of a break. Shinwari is not happy with his landing area. The ground staff is being called for, probably for a hammer alongside. Meanwhile, Karunaratne and Oshada call for a mini-drinks break. The DJ has started playing and finally, someone is awakened. No hammer but some sawdust comes out at last, being sprinkled on the landing area. A good two minutes already lost in this. Right. All set for the game to resume.

6.2

.

Good length delivery on off, Fernando keeps it out.

6.1

.

On a good length on middle, Oshada defends it off the back foot.

First bowling change of the morning. Usman Shinwari is into the attack.

5.6

.

On a good length on off, the skipper blocks it off the back foot.

5.5

.

Good length delivery on off, Dimuth defends it out.

5.4

.

BEATEN! On a good length and outside off, Karunaratne looks to defend but misses it.

5.3

4

FOUR! That is a wonderful shot. Full delivery on middle, perhaps a bit too straight from the angle of the left-armer from over the wicket, Karunaratne walks across a touch, covers the line and flicks it through wide mid on for a boundary.

5.2

.

BEATEN! On a good length and outside off, Karunaratne looks to poke at it but misses it.

5.1

.

On a good length on off, Dimuth plays it to covers.

4.6

.

Massive shout for LBW! No, says umpire Gough. Abbas is not too much interested in the review. Full and outside off, 129.6 kph, coming in, Oshada gets a big stride and then shoulders arms. The ball hits his pads and up go all the Pakistan players, asking the question. Impact does not matter in this case as Fernando is not offering a shot. But perhaps it was not coming back enough to hit the stumps. One of the rare good deliveries this morning.

4.5

.

On a good length on off, Oshada defends it off the back foot.

4.4

.

Bowls it down the leg side, Fernando looks to flick but misses it.

4.3

.

On a good length on off, Fernando blocks it off the back foot.

4.2

.

On a good length on middle, Oshada tucks it to mid-wicket.

4.1

4b

FOUR BYES! Wild, very wild from Abbas. He sprays this down the leg side, Oshada looks to flick but cannot get any bat on it. The ball pitches and then swings further away from Rizwan who dives to his left but in vain. The ball races to the fine leg fence.

3.6

.

Again outside off, Karunaratne lets it go.

3.5

.

Outside off, the skipper shoulders arms to this one.

3.4

.

On a good length on off, Dimuth plays it to point.

3.3

.

Full delivery on middle, Dimuth defends it off the front foot.

3.2

.

BEATEN! On a good length and outside off, Karunaratne looks to drive but misses it due to the late movement on this one.

3.1

.

Good length delivery on off, Karunaratne defends it off the front foot.

2.6

1

Length delivery on leg, Dimuth flicks it through square leg for a run.

2.5

.

On a good length and just outside off, Karunaratne lets it go.

2.4

.

Outside off, Dimuth shoulders arms to this one.

2.3

.

Good length delivery on middle, the skipper blocks it off the front foot.

2.2

.

Full delivery on off, Dimuth looks to drive but it goes off the inner half of the bat towards mid-wicket.

An incredible stat. 232 Tests is what the combined experience of Pakistan's XI for today states. But, every one of them is playing his first home Test.

2.1

.

On a good length on off, Karunaratne defends it off the back foot towards mid on.

1.6

1

On a good length on off, Karunaratne taps it towards the off side and takes a quick single.

1.5

.

Again outside off, Karunaratne leaves it alone.

1.4

.

Outside off, the skipper offers no shot to this one.

1.3

4

FOUR! Poor delivery from Shaheen. Full delivery on the pads, Dimuth flicks it easily towards fine leg for a boundary.

1.2

.

Good length delivery on middle, Karunaratne keeps it out.

1.1

.

On a good length on off, Karunaratne defends it off the back foot.

Shaheen Afridi to share the new ball with Abbas.

0.6

3

Misfield from Naseem. Full and down the leg side, Karunaratne flicks it behind square leg. Naseem comes charging in from fine leg, gets to the ball but then, looks up, taking his eyes off for a second. That is enough for a mistake to be committed. He fumbles and the batsmen take the third.

0.5

2

Full and around middle, DK looks to flick again but the ball swings in, goes off the inner half and finds the gap at square leg. By the time fine leg can get across, two runs are taken.

0.4

.

Better, in the old corridor of uncertainty, outside off, Dimuth shoulders arms.

0.3

4

FOUR! First runs in this historic Test! Loosener from Abbas. Not quite warmed up yet. Full and on the pads, Karunaratne flicks it through mid-wicket. Easy pickings.

0.2

.

Similar ball, this is defended towards mid on.

0.1

.

Quiet start. Full and around off, watchfully defended down to the bowler.

The players are out in the middle. Dimuth Karunaratne and Oshada Fernando are out to open for the Lankans. Mohammad Abbas to start off proceedings to Karunaratne. Three slips and a gully in place.

The anthems are done and we are moments away from this historic Test in Rawalpindi. It is a pretty hazy morning, with the floodlights already switched on. The pitch looks a bit green, which could be tricky in the month of December. Given the cool conditions, the first session will be crucial for both sides, with the bowlers having their say.

Time for the national anthems. Namo, Namo, Namo Matha first up.

Interesting to note the playing combinations. NO SPINNER FOR PAKISTAN. Or a proper spinner, shall we say. Yasir Shah has been dropped. They have gone in with four pacers. They did not have this combination even at the 'Gabba. Also, NO FAWAD ALAM, after all the hype! As far as Sri Lanka are concerned, they are following a standard rule - three seamers and one spinner. Will Angelo Mathews bowl?

Pakistan (Playing XI) - Shan Masood, Abid Ali (DEBUT), Azhar Ali(c), Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Asad Shafiq, Mohammad Rizwan(wk), Usman Shinwari (DEBUT), Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi.

Sri Lanka (Playing XI) - Dimuth Karunaratne(c), Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella(wk), Dilruwan Perera, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha and Lahiru Kumara.

TOSS - Right. As expected, the toss is indeed on time. SRI LANKA HAVE WON IT AND ELECTED TO BAT FIRST. No surprises, as hardly does a team elect to field in a Test in Asia. The conditions are a bit chilly as well, so the captain will not like to put his bowlers and fielders into the cold.

There was some overnight rain because of which, the ground was covered this morning. However, we are expecting the toss and match to start on time. The forecast is a bit iffy for the next two days.

'Jive, Jive Pakistan!' These will be the chants in Rawalpindi. International cricket came back to Pakistan a few years ago - more prominently, a few months ago. But Test cricket has returned after a decade. Ironically, the same team which last toured this nation, is ready to play a Test 10 years later. Massive moment for everyone, including the players, as everyone will be playing their first Test at their proper home venue! Hello and a warm welcome to the opening day of the Test series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi.

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1st Test, Rawalpindi, December 11, 2019, 10:15 AM

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