Pakistan and Sri Lanka played out a draw in the opening Test of the series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on November 13, 2026, after rain and bad light disrupted the contest and prevented a result.
Pakistan declared their first innings at 434/9, with Saud Shakeel top-scoring with 93. Mohammad Tayyab Arif (57), Mohammad Taha (51), Babar Azam (50) and Arafat Minhas (52) also contributed half-centuries.
Sri Lanka responded with 446 all out, taking a 12-run first-innings lead. Dhananjaya de Silva produced an outstanding 167, while captain Kusal Mendis scored 119. Pakistan debutant Saqib Khan was the standout bowler, claiming seven wickets for 130 runs to trigger a late collapse.
Pakistan reached 284/8 in their second innings, with Saud Shakeel once again leading the resistance. The left-hander scored a determined 97 off 210 deliveries, narrowly missing out on his second century of the match. Milan Rathnayake claimed three wickets for Sri Lanka.
Pakistan had been under pressure at 125/5, but Shakeel’s innings helped the hosts avoid a defeat and keep Sri Lanka from building a winning position. With little time remaining and the result increasingly unlikely, both teams agreed to a draw.
Saqib Khan was named Player of the Match for his impressive seven-wicket performance on Test debut. The result leaves the two-match series level at 0-0, with the second Test scheduled to begin on November 17 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The match was originally scheduled for Lahore but was relocated due to prevailing weather conditions and severe smog.
