Babar Azam fails again with Pakistan 151-5 in first Sri Lanka Test
RAWALPINDI: Babar Azam’s century drought continued as Sri Lanka pushed hard for victory over Pakistan in the weather-hit first Test in Rawalpindi on Friday. The tourists took four wickets in bad light in the morning as Pakistan reached 151-5 at lunch on the fifth and final day, leading by 139 runs with five wickets in hand. At the break Saud Shakeel was unbeaten on 23 and Ghazi Ghori seven not…
Rawalpindi witnessed Babar Azam's continued century drought as Sri Lanka aimed for victory in the weather-interrupted first Test. The visitors claimed four wickets in poor light during the morning session, leaving Pakistan at 151-5 at lunch on the penultimate day, leading by 139 runs with five wickets remaining. Saud Shakeel remained unbeaten on 23, while Ghazi Ghori added seven not out after a brief break due to bad light.
Azam fell to a leg-side catch, marking his 42nd innings without a Test century. Salman Agha also fell in the same manner, leaving Pakistan struggling at 125-5. Sri Lanka capitalized on the early wickets with Lahiru Kumara dismissing Azam Awais for 22 and Asitha Fernando taking two early wickets, including a catch off Fernando that could have provided an advantage to Azam.
Despite Azam's 50 for the fourth wicket with Shakeel, he played a loose shot, allowing Fernando to take 2-20, while Rathnayaka claimed 2-32.
Written by urgent.news from Business Recorder's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
