PAK vs SL 1st Test Day 5 Highlights: Saud Shakeel Falls 3 Short of Century in Tense Draw

Pakistan and Sri Lanka played out a draw in the opening Test at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium after the hosts finished their second innings at 284/8. Saud Shakeel produced a determined 97 to keep Pakistan in the contest, denying Sri Lanka the wickets needed to force a result on the final day. The PAK vs SL 1st Test Day 5 highlights feature Shakeel's match-saving innings, Pakistan's late resistance and a tense finish that left the two-match series level at 0-0.

Sri Lanka entered the final day looking to exploit Pakistan's vulnerable batting position, but the hosts refused to surrender. Babar Azam contributed during a crucial middle-order phase, while Shakeel became Pakistan's central figure with a lengthy innings that frustrated the visiting attack.

The left-hander found valuable support from wicketkeeper Ghazi Ghori, whose contribution helped Pakistan move away from immediate danger. Their sixth-wicket stand added important runs and consumed valuable time, putting Sri Lanka under increasing pressure to produce breakthroughs.

Pakistan continued to lose wickets as the afternoon progressed, but Shakeel kept the innings alive. He came within three runs of a century before Lahiru Kumara dismissed him for 97 off 210 deliveries. His innings included seven fours and proved decisive in protecting Pakistan from defeat.

Sri Lanka managed to take eight wickets, but the remaining Pakistan batters held their ground long enough to secure the draw. Pakistan finished on 284/8 after facing 84.5 overs, with a second-innings lead of 272 runs.

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