RAWALPINDI : Pakistan and Sri Lanka face a likely draw in the first test after rain and bad light severely curtailed the fourth day’s play on Thursday, despite debutant Saqib Khan’s outstanding seven-wicket haul giving the hosts a chance to fight back.
Saqib claimed 7-130 as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 446 on an overcast morning, losing their remaining six wickets after resuming on 404-4.
Dhananjaya de Silva top-scored with 167, while Kusal Mendis contributed 119, but Pakistan’s bowlers fought back to restrict the tourists to a 12-run first-innings lead.
Pakistan’s second innings suffered an early setback when Asitha Fernando dismissed Tayyab Arif for 11.
Azan Awais and Mohammad Taha then steadied the innings, taking Pakistan to 39-1 at lunch and giving the hosts a 27-run overall lead.
Pakistan progressed to 57-1 before bad light and rain brought an early end to play, with only 45 minutes of the second session completed.
The interruptions left little time for either side to force a result, making a draw the most likely outcome heading into the final day, although a dramatic collapse or a change in the behaviour of the pitch could still alter the situation.
Play on the fifth and final day is scheduled to begin on Friday.
