Rawalpindi Test: Saud Shakeel's patience, debutants' promise; Pakistan strong at 390/6

Pakistan are in a commanding position in the first Test against Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, reaching 390/6 in 99 overs on the second day. According to the available scorecard inputs, Saud Shakeel is unbeaten on 91 and Arafat Minhas is batting on 27 at the end of the day's play. Shakeel's innings has been the backbone of Pakistan's batting effort. He completed his 12th Test half-century and held the innings together through multiple partnerships. Pakistan resumed the day on 281/5 and added roughly 109 runs in the first session before reaching 390/6. That scoring rate was brisk for Test cricket and underlined the batting-friendly nature of the Rawalpindi surface. Pakistan had adopted an aggressive approach on the opening day. The opening pair put on 86 runs, and by lunch the team had reached 137/2. Debutant Tayyab Arif struck 57 off 51 balls, including nine fours and one six. His strike rate was around 112, well above the usual Test benchmark. The other opener, Azan Awais, made 30 off 50 balls. Both openers were dismissed in consecutive overs, but Babar Azam and Mohammad Taha steadied the innings. Babar scored 50 off 58 balls. His strike rate of about 86 was high for Test cricket, but he could not convert the start into a bigger knock. Mohammad Taha made 51 off 105 balls. It was his maiden Test fifty. His strike rate of around 48.6 was in line with Test norms. He shared a 69-run stand with Babar and a 68-run partnership with Shakeel. Ghazi Ghori then made 48 off 72 balls. Shakeel and Ghori added 96 runs for the sixth wicket. Ghori was dismissed at 349/6. Arafat Minhas then tried to score quickly through boundaries and remained unbeaten on 27 at stumps. Pakistan's innings featured five partnerships of more than 68 runs. That shows Sri Lanka's bowlers failed to take wickets in clusters. Asitha Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka took two wickets each, while Milan Rathnayake and Sonal Dinusha claimed one apiece. Only six wickets in 99 overs suggests that no single bowler was able to sustain pressure. Rawalpindi has historically been one of the most batting-friendly venues in Pakistan, and this innings reinforced that reputation. The biggest story of the second day was Saud Shakeel's patience. He kept losing partners at the other end but remained composed. His stands with Taha, Salman, Ghori and Minhas gave the innings stability. At 91 not out, he is close to a century. If he reaches three figures on the third morning, this will rank among the defining knocks of his Test career. Pakistan will also be encouraged by the performances of two debutant batters. Tayyab Arif and Mohammad Taha are both playing their first Test and both made half-centuries. This can be read as a sign of generational transition in Pakistan's batting, though one innings is too small a sample for firm conclusions. Babar Azam's 50 off 58 balls also needs cautious reading. It shows fluency, but one innings cannot confirm a return to form. In Test cricket, converting starts into big scores is the real benchmark. Ghazi Ghori fell two short of a half-century, while Arafat Minhas showed intent with quick runs. Minhas may be a useful lower-order batter, but his exact role has not been officially confirmed. Looking at the bigger picture, Pakistan have controlled the first two days. A total of 390/6 in 99 overs, five substantial partnerships and contributions from two debutants indicate that the home side kept Sri Lanka's attack under pressure. However, the innings is not finished. If Shakeel converts his start into a century and the lower order adds another 80 to 120 runs, Pakistan could move close to 500. That would make defeat highly unlikely. But if Shakeel is dismissed early, the lower order could come under pressure. For Sri Lanka, the main concern is that their bowling managed only six successes in 99 overs. On a surface like Rawalpindi, such a low strike rate makes taking 20 wickets difficult. If the pitch remains true, the match could drift towards a draw or Pakistan could take a first-innings advantage. But this is only the second day, with three days still to play. Another positive for Pakistan is that their young batters took their opportunity. Tayyab Arif's attacking stroke play and Taha's measured innings represent two different styles. Azan Awais also made a start with 30. However, all names and figures are based on available match inputs and should be verified against the official scorecard. Some spellings and roles also require caution. The first session on the third day will be crucial. Saud Shakeel is nearing a century, and Pakistan will want to bat their first innings to a strong finish. Sri Lanka will aim to strike early and restrict Pakistan to around 400. If the visitors dismiss Shakeel quickly, the match could open up. But on current evidence, Pakistan are firmly ahead. Shakeel's anchoring, the debutants' confidence and Sri Lanka's limited bowling penetration all point in the home side's favour.