Pakistan vs Sri Lanka SL in PAK, 2 Tests, 2026

OUT! STUMPS SHATTERED! A cruel end to a superb effort from Saud Shakeel, who falls just three short of a hundred after making 93 in the first innings. Lahiru Kumara keeps it straight, sending down a back-of-a-length delivery at 133.7 kph. Shakeel exposes his stumps and looks to swing through the line, but the extra pace beats him. He misses, the ball crashes into the stumps, and another nervous nineties ends in disappointment. With that, the players walk across to shake hands. Test finishes in a draw!

Length ball around off, cutting in, Shakeel tries to drive but the bottom hand comes off and it goes off the inside edge to mid-wicket. No run taken.

Shortish and outside off, patted down to point.

JUST SHORT! Another short delivery outside off, and Razaullah initially sinks low to evade it before improvising at the last moment with a ramp. The ball sails towards third man, where the fielder charges in and dives forward, but it drops just short of him. They sneak through for a single.

FOUR! BANG! Short and wide outside off, Razaullah gets onto the back foot and launches it powerfully over mid off for a boundary.

Swing and a miss! The batter swings hard at that one but does not connect. Razaullah will be on strike in the next over.

RISKY SECOND RUN! Shakeel rocks back and cuts the short, wide delivery behind point. He pushes hard for the second and is forced to hurry back as a weak throw comes in towards the keeper. Kusal Mendis has to gather, turn and fire at the striker's end. It's a direct hit, but the replays confirm Shakeel has made his ground. Safe!

Is that a run out? Saud Shakeel took a risk there, but the replay shows that he has dragged his bat inside the crease.

SWING AND A MISS! Full and wide of off, with the ball shaping away late. Shakeel cannot resist the temptation, throws his hands at a booming drive and misses by a considerable margin.

The physio is in to check in on Sonal Dinusha. He puts the magic spray on his fingers, and we are good to go again.

Short and outside off, Saud guides it from the back foot but it goes on one bounce to gully. Sonal Dinusha is the fielder who seems to have hurt his fingers.

Beautiful outswinger, around off, on a length, Shakeel pokes at it from the back foot and misses.

A touch short and drifting down leg, Shakeel helps it on its way through square leg. It races towards the boundary, but Asitha Fernando sprints across from fine leg and stretches to cut it off, keeping the batters to two.

Bowls it short and on off, Shakeel stays deep inside the crease and steers it through point for one. Moves to 93 again in this Test match. Can he get a hundred this time?

Kumara digs it in short, around middle and leg, Shakeel leans back and attempts to play the ramp shot at the last moment but misses. It's too high and is called a wide.

FOUR! Shakeel is edging closer to a hundred. Kumara drops it short around off, but the batter is well-balanced, rides the bounce and rolls a controlled pull through mid-wicket. The boundary takes him into the 90s.

Delivers it on a length around off, Shakeel punches it without much timing to covers.

Back of a length, around off and shaping in to cramp the batter for room, Saud stays back and plays it down to point.

BEATEN! Kumara lands it on a probing length just outside off, and the ball leaves Shakeel off the surface. Caught on the back foot, he reaches forward with his body to meet it but plays inside the line as the delivery whistles past the outside edge.

Lahiru brings it full around off, and the ball nips back in. Shakeel gets across to work it through the leg side, making contact off the inner half and sending it towards deep mid-wicket. He opts against the single.

On a length outside off, Saud drives it on the up but in the gap at cover-point, takes a single to keep strike.

FOUR! Superb timing from Saud Shakeel! Much fuller and around off, he gets forward, meets it beautifully and creams the drive through cover-point. The ball races away to the fence, taking him to 87.

FLASHES AND MISSES! Dilshan offers width with a short delivery outside off. Saud spots the opportunity and throws his hands at the cut, but fails to make contact.

Full and around off, Dilshan gets the ball to move off the surface. Saud presses forward and firmly pushes it down to mid off.

A probing delivery on a testing line around off, it seams away just enough to beat Saud as he pushes forward tentatively.

Dilshan Madushanka starts with the second new ball. Short and around off, Saud punches it towards cover, where the fielder dives to his left and parries the ball towards mid off. No run.

Sri Lanka have taken the second new ball. Also, Dilshan Madushanka replaces Dhananjaya de Silva.

Again the length is short, around off, this time Razaullah punches it from the back foot to sweeper cover. Saud Shakeel denies the single.

Some turn there. Slower one, short but outside off, Razaullah offers no shot.

Fuller and outside off, Saud Shakeel goes hard and drills his drive to deep cover for one. Moves to 83.

Loopy one, full and outside off, Razaullah reaches out and pushes it in the gap at cover-point, for a run.

Flighted one, full and on off, Razaullah defends it off the front foot.

Full and flighted, around middle, Saud clips it in front of square on the leg side for a single. Lead - 250.

The second new ball is available now. However, Sri Lanka are continuing with the old one, and here is Sonal Dinusha to bowl.

Ho ho ho! Dhananjaya goes short again, sending another bouncer Razaullah's way. The batter ducks underneath it, and this time Kusal manages to gather the ball cleanly above his head.

APPEAL! Dhananjaya goes up for an LBW after sending down a slider from round the wicket. It skids through from around middle, Razaullah plays for the turn but misses, and the ball strikes him on the back pad. Dhananjaya persuades his captain to review, but UltraEdge confirms no bat while Ball Tracking shows the impact is in line, with the ball missing the off stump. The on-field decision stands, and Razaullah can continue.

We are back for the final session! The players are heading out to the middle now. Razaullah will be the new batter, joining Saud Shakeel for Pakistan. Dhananjaya de Silva will finish his incomplete over. Let's go...

... DAY 5, SESSION 3 ...

Shakeel leads resistance as draw looms - The first hour passed without much incident, with Ghazi Ghori and Saud Shakeel putting together a solid partnership to keep Sri Lanka's hopes of forcing a result at bay. The pair added 92 runs before Milan Rathnayake broke through by bouncing out Ghori. Shakeel, however, remained composed at the other end, continuing to go about his business, while Arafat Minhas played a few attractive shots before falling right on the stroke of Tea to Dhananjaya de Silva. Shakeel heads into the final session unbeaten on 81, but with just three wickets remaining, he will need to carefully navigate the tail if he is to reach his century before the two sides eventually shake hands on a draw. Join us around 10.50 am GMT for the final session.

10.31 am GMT - TEA, DAY 5! With that wicket, the umpires have called for Tea. Pakistan showed much greater resilience in this session, with Saud Shakeel leading from the front. However, in the context of the game, this Test is moving towards a draw, and the only thing of interest is to see whether Saud can get to his hundred in this innings, after he was dismissed on 93 in the first.

OUT! CAUGHT! A soft dismissal for Arafat Minhas. Looped up full and wide outside off, Minhas leans into the drive but is a fraction too early as the ball holds up on him. He ends up chipping a straightforward catch to Sonal Dinusha at short cover, who makes no mistake. Dhananjaya de Silva is all smiles after winning this battle. That wicket brings the session to a close. It is Tea on Day 5.

Gets behind the line of the delivery and pushes it back to the bowler.

FOUR! Delightfully struck! Full and floated outside off, Minhas reaches out and lifts it cleanly over the cover region, picking the gap to perfection for a boundary.

FOUR! WHOA! Dhananjaya has a surprise in store! The spinner bangs one in short, almost a bouncer, and Minhas ducks at the last moment. Kusal is caught off guard behind the stumps as well, and the ball races away to the fine-leg fence. The siren sounds too, with Dhananjaya having overstepped. A no-ball and four more to Pakistan!

Tossed up, full and on off, swept to deep square leg for a single.

Fullish and on middle, helped to deep mid-wicket for a run. Saud Shakeel moves to 80 and retains strike.

Slower through the air, full and on off, Saud nudges it gently towards covers and sets off. His partner responds, but the bowler gets across quickly to gather the ball, forcing them to abort the single.

Again it's quicker and shorter, around off, Minhas bunts it down to long on for a run.

Flatter and quicker through the air, turning into the batter from outside off, Arafat Minhas defends it from the back foot.

Loopy and full, around off, Arafat lunges and blocks it back.

Fuller and on middle, it's flicked to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Floated outside off, Minhas pushes it into the off side and looks for a single, but Shakeel is not interested.

Spinning into the batter from outside off, Minhas defends it from the back foot.

No run, the batter has just blocked that from the crease.

Floated full on off, Shakeel leans into the stroke and eases it down to long off for a single. He moves to 78.

Shortish again, on off, punched to covers.

Flatter through the air, short and on off, Shakeel pushes it to point from the back foot.

Loopy one, full and drifting in on middle, Minhas defends it from the front foot.

Drifting down the leg side, Saud gets back and tries to flick but misses. The ball brushes his pads and rolls towards square leg, allowing the batters to cross for a leg bye.

Fuller and outside off, Arafat Minhas drives it in the gap at covers for one.

Lunges to a full ball around off and blocks it watchfully.

Tossed up around off, Arafat defends it with the spin to mid-wicket.

Flighted and full, around off, Minhas prods forward and defends.

Extra air on this one, full and on off, it's forced towards long off for a single.

Quicker and on off, defended from the back foot.

Spinning away from around off, Arafat lets it go.

The batter has just watchfully blocked this out.

Drags his length short, on middle, Saud goes back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Fuller and on middle, defended back to the bowler.

Fires this one, full and on leg, Saud Shakeel drills it to long on for one.

Gives some more air, full and on middle, Saud Shakeel negotiates it well.

Tosses it up, full and on middle, Saud Shakeel turns it to the leg side.

Flatter, full and on the pads, Saud Shakeel tickles it away wide of fine leg for a couple of more runs.

Flighted, full and on middle, Saud Shakeel uses his feet and flicks it uppishly but through the vacant mid-wicket region for a couple of runs.

FOUR! Nicely done! Floated, full and on middle, angling in. Saud Shakeel goes down on one knee and executes the sweep to perfection towards the deep square leg fence for a boundary.

Spin from both ends now as Sonal Dinusha returns to bowl...

Loopy on, full and on middle, Arafat Minhas lunges out and dead-bats it.

Dragged back, just outside off, Saud Shakeel stays back and steers it through cover-point for one.

Flatter, full and on leg, Saud Shakeel clips it away through mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Drops it short and around off, Saud Shakeel moves back and punches it to extra cover.

Tossed up, full and on off, Saud Shakeel strides out and taps it to the off side.

Floated, full and on off, Saud Shakeel blocks it back to the bowler.

Much fuller and around off, Arafat Minhas drives it firmly and wide of cover-point. Dinesh Chandimal dives to his left to make a fine stop.

The sun has slipped back behind the clouds, and there is now some semblance of assistance on offer for the seamers. The conditions have suddenly become a little more inviting for the pacers.

Hard length and outside off, shaping further away, Arafat Minhas offers no shot at it.

FOUR! Streaky! Milan Rathnayaka hits the deck hard, on off, angling it away a bit. Arafat Minhas tries to play with a straight bat and gets an outside edge. It rolls along the ground and goes between second slip and gully for a boundary. Pakistan lead by 219 runs now!

Back of a length and on off, Arafat Minhas opens the bat face and steers it to backward point.

On a length and around leg, Saud Shakeel clips it towards square leg for a single.

Good-length delivery, on middle and off, Saud Shakeel gets behind the line of it and blocks it out.

Flatter, full and on middle, Saud Shakeel knocks it down the pitch. DDS gets his foot behind but only manages to parry it towards the mid on region. They cross.

Pushed through quicker, full and on off, Saud Shakeel taps it to the off side.

Floated, full and on off, Arafat Minhas drills it to long off for a run.

Tosses it up, full and on off, Saud Shakeel drives it off the upper half of the bat to long off for a single.

Flighted, full and on middle and off, Saud Shakeel is solid in his defense.

Drops it short, on off, Saud Shakeel stays back and stabs it out to short cover.

FOUR! Fine shot! A half-volley, just around off. Arafat Minhas leans into his drive nicely and creams it through covers for a boundary. No need to run for that one.

Bangs in a bouncer, on middle, Arafat Minhas ducks under it.

Pitches it up, on middle, angling in, Saud Shakeel knocks it down the pitch.

Short of a length but way down the leg side, Saud Shakeel makes an easy leave.

Just back of a length and on off, Saud Shakeel leans across a bit and stabs it out towards point.

Fuller in length and around off, Saud Shakeel lunges out and blocks it.

More air on this one, full and on middle, Arafat Minhas defends it on the front foot.

Drags his length back, on middle, Arafat Minhas nudges it to short mid-wicket.

Flighted, full and on off, Saud Shakeel drives it to long off for a single.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Saud Shakeel prods forward and blocks it out.

A bit flatter, shortish and on middle, Saud Shakeel pushes it back to the bowler.

Floated, short, on middle, Saud Shakeel moves back and clips it to short mid-wicket.

Debutant Arafat Minhas walks in next.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Milan Rathnayaka gets his man this time and breaks the 92-run stand. He bowls a well-directed bumper, just on leg. Ghazi Ghori once again tries to hook, but this is too close to his body and gets tucked up for room. He ends up gloving it behind, where Kusal Mendis leaps up and takes a good catch. There is an appeal and the finger goes up. Pakistan are 217/6, leading by 205 runs.

On a length and on off, Ghazi Ghori blocks it out.

Bangs in a bouncer, down the leg side, Ghazi Ghori tries to hook it away but misses.

Full again and on middle, angling in, Ghazi Ghori fends it down the pitch as the ball rolls to the left of mid on.

Much fuller and on off, Ghazi Ghori drives it firmly but straight to mid off.

Good length and on middle, angling in, Ghazi Ghori pats it down towards mid on.

Slows it up, full and on off, Saud Shakeel knocks it to the right of the bowler. DDS dives to his right to make a fine stop.

Flatter, full and around leg, Ghazi Ghori gets low and swipes it through square leg for one.

A bit short, on off, Ghazi Ghori moves back and punches it to short cover.

Flighted, full and on off, Saud Shakeel drives it down to long off for a run.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Ghazi Ghori goes down and sweeps it to deep square leg for a single.

Floated, full and on middle and leg, Ghazi Ghori goes down and paddles it towards fine leg for a brace.

Pitched up, on off, Saud Shakeel defends it on the front foot.

Big appeal for caught behind, but turned down! Just back of a length and on off, holds its line and takes off a bit. Saud Shakeel has a tentative poke at it but gets beaten on the outside edge. Kusal Mendis is really interested but gets nothing from the umpire.

Uppish but safe again! Milan Rathnayaka bangs this into the pitch, on the leg-stump line. Ghazi Ghori tries to hook it away but gets tucked up. The ball lobs up off his gloves and goes behind, where Kusal Mendis runs backwards and dives but fails to reach it. They cross. Pakistan lead by 200 runs now!

In the air....SAFE! Goes fuller and on middle, angling into the pads. Ghazi Ghori plays the pick-up shot but gets more height on it. It goes up but lands over the mid-wicket fielder for a couple of runs.

Good length and on off, Ghazi Ghori gets half-forward and taps it to short cover.

Fuller in length but angling down the leg side, Ghazi Ghori fails to glance it away.

Slows it up, full and on off, Saud Shakeel pushes it back to the bowler.

More air on this one, full and on leg, Ghazi Ghori goes down and reverse paddles it towards backward point for one.

Flighted, full and around middle, Ghazi Ghori defends it on the front foot.

Drops it short, just outside off, Saud Shakeel backs away and cuts it through point for a single.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Saud Shakeel knocks it to the left of the bowler.

Floated, short and on middle and leg, Saud Shakeel moves back and keeps it out.

A length ball close to off grips and cuts back in off the seam. Shakeel looks to defend but gets an inside edge, and the ball runs down to deep square leg. They settle for one, with Shakeel briefly interested in a second before Ghori sends him back.

Short and around off, Shakeel is a touch early into the pull and mistimes it, sending the ball tamely towards mid-wicket.

Milan switches to round the wicket and angles a full delivery into the batter, around off. Shakeel gets his bat in line and blocks it solidly.

Pitches it up and around off, Shakeel defends it near his front pad.

Serves it on a length, around middle and leg, Saud defends it down on the surface.

Milan Rathnayaka starts a new spell with a shortish delivery on off, Ghazi plays it down towards backward point, for a single.

Tossed up, around off, Saud Shakeel leans forward and defends it from the higher part of his willow.

Short and outside off, cut straight to point again.

Presses forward and then goes back after seeing the short length. Saud then cuts but finds point.

Fuller and on middle, defended back to the bowler.

Flighted delivery, full and on middle, Ghori goes down and sweeps it to deep backward square leg for a run.

Loopy and full, outside off, Shakeel drives it through mid off and takes a single.

Drinks break. Things have changed considerably since Lunch. Pakistan have found calm and stability in the middle, thanks largely to the ongoing partnership between Saud Shakeel and Ghazi Ghori. The Sri Lankan bowlers, so menacing in the morning, have not carried the same threat into this session, perhaps with the pitch flattening out as the sun finally peeks through the clouds. Pakistan's lead has now swelled to 191, and the writing is increasingly on the wall. Unless something dramatic unfolds, this Test appears to be heading firmly towards a draw. Dhananjaya de Silva is ready to bowl after the break.

Floated one, full and on off, Ghori strides forward in defense.

Flatter and on middle, defended from the back foot to short mid-wicket.

Short in length and close to off, Ghori cuts but fails to beat the diving point fielder.

EDGED! Full and flighted around off, Shakeel looks to work it with the spin, but the ball holds its line and goes straight on. It takes the outside edge and trickles down to third man. They take a single.

A loopy dipping full toss around middle, it's eased to mid on for a quick single.

Shortish and on off, played off the back foot to covers.

Back of a length outside off, that is guided away nicely but cannot get it past the fielder at cover-point.

Fullish and on off, pushed towards mid on.

FOUR! Shakeel continues to press forward, and this partnership keeps growing. Too full and wide outside off, he goes for the drive but catches an inside edge. The bottom hand keeps the bat face in control, sending the ball racing down the ground to the boundary. Pakistan bring up 200, stretching their lead to 189.

Goes fuler and on off, Saud Shakeel defends it safely back to the bowler.

A good delivery from Dilshan Madushanka. Lands it on a good length around off, nipping away late, Shakeel stands back, pushes inside the line and gets beaten.

Fullish and on off, pushed down to mid on.

FIFTY FOR SAUD SHAKEEL! His 13th in Test cricket. He gets there with a gentle nudge off a full, flighted delivery around leg, placing it towards square leg for a single. After his 93 in the first innings, Shakeel raises another valuable half-century. This has been a rescue act of real substance, built on patience, resilience and a willingness to dig in when Pakistan needed him most.

Fuller and on off, defended back to the bowler.

Short in length outside off, turning away, Ghazi Ghori waits and cuts it towards point. The fielder there dives to his right but makes a half stop. They cross for a run.

Pushes it quicker through the air, a touch short and around leg, Shakeel gets back and tickles it behind square leg for a run.

Loopy and full, outside off, Shakeel draws forward and blocks it watchfully.

Flatter and quicker, around off, Saud defends it from the back foot.

Shortish and on off, Shakeel turns it in the gap at mid-wicket for a run. Moves to 48.

Fuller and on middle, pushed down to mid on.

FOUR! Madushanka goes searching for the yorker but serves up a full toss instead. Saud leans into it and crisply drives through cover-point. The fielder in the deep puts in a desperate slide, but the ball wins the race to the boundary. Pakistan's lead stretches to 181.

Drifting down the leg side, on a good length, Saud tries to flick it off his pads but misses.

Back of a length outside off, Shakeel eases himself on the back foot and steers it to deep point for a couple of runs. Moves to 43.

Delivers it on a length outside off, Ghazi plays it down towards point and pinches a single.

A loopy delivery, floated full around off, Saud gets down on one knee and attempts the sweep but fails to make contact. The ball strikes him on the pads, though the impact is clearly outside the line.

Tossed up around off, Saud walks forward and defends it.

Loopy and full, around off, Shakeel gets forward with a big stretch and blocks it safely.

Spinning into the batter from a shorter length outside off, Shakeel goes on the back foot and defends it back.

Slightly short and on off, Shakeel goes on the back foot and turns it to square leg.

Flighted and full, around off, Saud presses forward and defends it to short mid-wicket.

Dilshan Madushanka closes the over with yet another delivery down the leg side. Ghazi has nothing to do with it.

UP AND OVER! Ghazi gets it away with good control. Short and wide outside off, he leans back and lifts it over backward point. The third-man fielder moves across to cut it off, keeping the batters down to two.

Yet again, Dilshan Madushanka sprays a shortish ball down the leg side, Ghazi leaves.

Angles in a length ball on off, Ghazi Ghori gets behind the line and defends.

Dilshan Madushanka runs in from round the wicket and slips a short ball down the leg side. Ghori leaves and Kusal dives across to his left to collect the ball.

Width there outside off, short in length, Saud guides it through cover-point for a run.

Another loopy one, full and around middle, Ghori is forward and defends it on the leg side. The lead is now 171 and the pitch seems to have flattened out since the sun has broken out from the clouds.

Tossed up around off, fuller in length, Ghori strides forward and defends.

Flatter and a touch short around leg, Saud goes back and helps it to square leg for one.

Too full and around off, Ghori sweeps it through square leg and rotates the strike.

Loopy and full, around middle, Saud flicks it through square leg for a single.

Flighted and outside off, steered through cover-point for a run.

With nothing happening post-Lunch, Sri Lanka have decided to bring in a spinner. Here is Sonal Dinusha.

A good-length delivery, angling in around off at 131.3 kph, it stays a bit low as well, Saud keeps his eyes on the ball and defends it back.

On a length around off, cutting in, Shakeel defends from the back foot to mid-wicket.

A bit short and off, Shakeel taps it down in front of point and lets out a huge shout for 'noooo' as his partner is eyeing a run.

Fuller and on off at 131.7 kph, Shakeel presents a straight bat and pushes it defensively towards mid on, off the inner half.

Fullish and on off, angling in at 133 kph, Saud defends it off his front foot.

Kumara targets the off stump with a full ball, Shakeel blocks it towards short cover.

Serves an outswinger again, but this time the line is outside off. Easy leave for Ghazi Ghori.

A lovely delivery from Asitha Fernando! He angles a full ball into the channel around off, Ghori gets forward to defend, but the ball seams away sharply after pitching and beats the outside edge. Superb bowling!

Fullish and on off, Ghori pushes it off his front foot to covers.

Keeps it full and around off, Ghazi helps it to short mid-wicket. It's called a no ball for overstepping.

Length delivery on off, the batter has just watchfully blocked this out.

FOUR! Ghazi Ghori gets right behind a full delivery outside off and unfurls a fluent drive, threading it past the diving mid-off fielder. The timing does the rest as the ball speeds away to the boundary. FIFTY-RUN STAND! A valuable partnership for Pakistan, with the lead now up to 166.

A testing length around off, with just enough movement to straighten and catch Saud Shakeel on the wrong foot. He gets a little squared up, the ball taking the outer half of the bat and trickling towards point. The batters sneak across for a single.

Fractionally short and outside off, Saud guides it through point for a single.

This one is also on a good length, around off, Saud stays on the back foot and pushes it to covers.

Pitches it around off, on a good length, Shakeel defends it from the back foot.

Smashed away but only for a run. Short in length and wide outside off, Ghazi rocks back and cuts it to deep point.

Back of a length, around off and angling in, Ghori goes on the back foot and plays it down in front of gully.

Lahiru comes in from round the wicket and serves a full ball around middle, Shakeel clips it to deep square leg for a run.

BEATEN ALL ENDS UP! A full delivery lands around off and swings away, drawing Ghazi Ghori into a loose poke. He is caught flat-footed, his hands reaching well away from his body, as the ball whistles past the outside edge.

Serves it on a length, around off, Shakeel shuffles across the stumps and works it through square leg for a single.

Width there outside off, short in length, Shakeel steers it through backward point for a couple.

Around off, on a good length, the batter has just watchfully blocked this out.

Fullish and close to off, Saud stays back and pushes it with an angled bat to point.

BEATEN! A teasing delivery outside off, full and moving away just enough to draw Ghazi Ghori into a false shot. He reaches for it from the back foot, but the ball sneaks past the outside edge and loses bounce rapidly, barely making it through to the keeper. Kusal blocks it with his pads and the ball rolls out in front of him. The batters steal a bye.

Again a bit short and on off, this time Ghori turns it in the gap at deep mid-wicket for a run. 15 runs in the first two overs after Lunch.

A touch short and on off, it's defended back to the bowler.

Saud Shakeel leans into a full delivery outside off and strokes it sweetly through extra cover. The fielder at deep cover-point has ground to make, but gets across in time to prevent the ball from reaching the fence. They collect three, and Pakistan continue to score freely since the resumption after Lunch.

Shortish and close to off, Ghori taps it down in the gap at cover-point for a single. Lead - 150 runs.

FOUR! Ghazi Ghori cashes in on a gift! Too short and too wide outside off, allowing him to free his arms and hammer it through point. A clean strike and Pakistan's lead stretches to 149.

Fuller and on off, angling in at 131 clicks, Ghori gets forward and across as he defends it towards short mid-wicket.

At 125.5 kph, the short ball sits around off and Saud Shakeel swivels into the pull. He gets it from the inner half rather than the middle, but finds enough room to send it rolling towards deep mid-wicket. They come back for two.

Length delivery outside off, 130.3 kph, Saud taps it down in front of gully.

Slower one, full and floating, angling in around off, at 128.8 kph, Saud gets on the front foot and defends it back to the bowler.

One slip moves out to extra cover.

Back of a length, outside off, Shakeel walks across the stumps and defends it down to the off side.

Slips a length ball down the leg side, Shakeel tries to flick but misses and Kusal dives across to his right to collect the ball.

FOUR! Pakistan get the afternoon session underway with a crisp boundary! Short and wide outside off, Saud Shakeel rocks back and slaps it firmly through backward point, leaving the fielders with no chance. The lead climbs to 143.

Back for more action! The afternoon session is all set to get underway, with the players making their way back onto the field. Pakistan lead by 139 runs, and Saud Shakeel and Ghazi Ghori are the two batters tasked with resuming the innings. The Sri Lankans are ready to go. Asitha Fernando to begin proceedings. Let's play!

... DAY 5, SESSION 2 ...

Is there still hope? The logical cricketing assessment still points towards a draw, but you can never quite rule out the unexpected, especially when Pakistan are involved. With the pitch offering plenty of spice, extra bounce and movement, an hour of sustained dominance from the Sri Lankan bowlers could yet give us an outside chance of a decisive result. The biggest obstacle, though, could be the fading light, which has already interrupted play once today. Thankfully, conditions have brightened up, and let's hope they stay that way. Do join us for the post-Lunch session at around 8.30 am GMT.

Sri Lanka stir things up! This contest looked to be drifting towards a tame draw at the start of the day, but Sri Lanka's bowlers have injected some life into it. The early double strike sent a wave of panic through the Pakistan camp, only for Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel to steady the innings with a 50-run stand. Babar was given a reprieve on 22 when Kamindu Mendis put him down, but he could not make the most of that lifeline and was eventually dismissed. Kusal Mendis deserves plenty of credit for his astute captaincy. His field placements were spot on, and the decision to station a leg gully paid rich dividends, with both Babar and Salman Agha falling into the trap.

Seamers set the tone - Sri Lanka's pace attack came out firing this morning, striking twice in the opening two overs to remove both overnight batters. Lahiru Kumara and Asitha Fernando were superb at the beginning, and Dilshan Madushanka and Milan Rathnayake carried that momentum forward. Madushanka may not have a wicket to show for his efforts, but he kept the batters under constant pressure, asking questions with virtually every delivery.

7.33 am GMT - Lunch on Day 5. That brings an eventful and extended morning session to a close. Sri Lanka have made significant inroads, claiming four wickets, but Pakistan have managed to stretch their lead to 139 runs. Being a Friday, the players will enjoy an hour-long break before returning to the field.

Lahiru Kumara keeps it on a probing length outside off. Ghazi Ghori presses forward, watches it closely and shoulders arms, allowing it to pass through to the keeper. Time for Lunch.

In the channel outside off, Ghori watches the line closely and lets it through to the keeper.

Very full and on off, 133.1 kph, Ghori drives off the front foot to short cover.

Serves it on a length, around off, Ghazi taps it down to point.

Lahiru Kumara switches to round the wicket and bangs it in short around off. Saud Shakeel swivels into the pull, sending it towards deep square leg and picking up a single.

A fraction short on off, Ghazi Ghori drops it gently in front of cover and takes a quick single. 150 comes up for Pakistan, stretching their lead to 138 runs.

Last over before Lunch...

Back round the wicket, Milan Rathnayake brings one in on a testing length, close to off. Saud Shakeel is drawn into the shot and ends up slightly squared up, managing to work his defensive stroke towards the leg side.

Fuller and on off, Saud takes a full stride forward and defends it watchfully.

This one moves back in from a full length around off, Shakeel defends it to the on side.

A good judgment of line from Saud Shakeel. Milan Rathnayake switches to over the wicket and angles a full delivery across him. Shakeel moves forward, keeps his bat tucked safely alongside his body and lets it go through.

Milan keeps it on and around off, serves it on a length, Shakeel gets on the front foot and blocks it to the off side.

Slightly short and on off, Shakeel defends it on the leg side.

Fuller in length and outside off, Shakeel goes for the drive but inside-edges it wide of mid on. They cross.

A fraction short on off, and Saud Shakeel works it neatly with the angle, finding the gap through mid-wicket. The placement is good enough for a couple.

Back of a length, around off, Saud stands back and defends it to the off side.

Around off, on a good length, Shakeel defends.

Length ball on off, the batter has just blocked that from the crease.

FOUR! Saud Shakeel finally finds the boundary after a long wait! A short ball around off sits up nicely, and he stands tall to pull it firmly in front of square on the leg side. His first four of the innings arrives off his 73rd delivery.

Lahiru Kumara returns for another burst before Lunch. 1/33 in his 11 overs so far.

Lands it on a length and close to off, Ghori presses forward and offers a straight bat in defense.

FOUR BYES! A wayward bouncer sails well down the leg side, giving Ghazi Ghori no reason to play at it. Kusal Mendis has little chance of getting across in time, and the ball races away to the fine-leg fence. Lead - 130 runs.

Angling it in, the batter has just watchfully blocked this out.

Short in length, on off, Shakeel plays it down to covers and takes a single. No ball given for three fielders behind square on the leg side!

Back of a length on off, Shakeel turns it with gentle hands to square leg. A bit of confusion between the batters, and they don't go for a run as the fielder slides in to collect the ball.

Milan goes short and outside off, Saud stands back and dabs it down towards gully. The siren goes off as the bowler has overstepped.

Ill-directed delivery. On a good length and down the leg side, Saud tries to tickle it fine but misses.

Slants it in, on a length around off, Shakeel defends it from the crease.

Short and on middle, that is pulled away through the square leg region for a single.

IN THE AIR... SAFE! Dilshan Madushanka comes round the wicket and angles a full delivery into off. Ghazi Ghori closes the bat face too early while looking to flick, and the leading edge sends the ball looping towards mid off. Asitha Fernando throws himself at it with a dive but cannot get there. A difficult chance, though the fielder will feel he could have done better. The batters cross for a run.

Another delivery down the leg side, Ghazi tries to glance but misses. With a short leg and leg gully in place, the line needs to be more from middle and leg.

Wide!  A bouncer way down the leg side, Ghori leaves.

Full and angling into middle, Saud Shakeel gets across and flicks it uppishly, sending it skimming past short leg. A chorus of 'Catch it!' goes up, but the fielder has no chance as the ball whistles past. They settle for a single.

Angles in a length ball on off, Shakeel gets behind the line and defends it nicely.

Saud Shakeel is down on the ground, clearly in discomfort after taking a blow to the back of his right shoulder. He is wincing in pain as the physio rushes out to attend to him. Magic spray has done its magic, and Saud is back on his feet. A short leg is in place now...

WHOA! This surface is turning into a real handful! A fraction short and around off, the ball jagged back sharply and climbed awkwardly on Saud Shakeel. Caught off guard, he tried to get out of the way but could not escape the delivery, taking a painful blow on the body. He looks in considerable discomfort as the pitch continues to produce some alarming bounce and movement.

It has got a lot brighter now. That's a welcome sight. There is a little bit of an issue with the sight screen, and the ground staff are fixing it.

Full in length around off, Ghori gets across and defends it on the leg side.

A wayward bouncer, well down the leg side, an easy leave for Ghazi Ghori.

Physio comes out. Ghazi Ghori has hurt his fingers/wrist and is in pain. A little bit of treatment, and he is ready to go.

ANOTHER LIFTER! A good-length delivery around off angles in before leaping off the surface. Ghazi Ghori gets into a defensive position, but the steep bounce catches him by surprise and strikes his left glove. The ball pops up and drops safely in front of mid-wicket. The surface is beginning to offer some awkward, unpredictable bounce.

In the channel outside off, that is left alone for the keeper to collect.

The batter has just watchfully blocked this out.

CLOSE CALL! A sharp piece of fielding from Dhananjaya de Silva nearly catches Saud Shakeel short! Ghazi Ghori works a length ball around middle towards mid-wicket and steps out of his crease after playing the shot. Shakeel responds to what he thinks is a call for a single, but is sent scrambling back as Dhananjaya swoops in and fires a direct hit at the bowler's end. The decision goes upstairs, and the replays show that Shakeel's full-length dive has just about saved him.

Direct hit at the bowler's end and the umpire goes upstairs.

Slightly short in length and outside off, Ghori gets back and guides it through point for a run.

Fullish and on off, angling in, Ghazi Ghori presses forward and defends it towards mid-wicket.

On a length, the batter has just blocked that from the crease.

FOUR! Ghazi Ghori is off the mark in style! A full delivery drifting down leg, and he gets his wrists into the shot, whipping it aerially over square leg. It clears the infield and races away for four. Lead - 118 runs.

Fractionally short and on off, Shakeel gets back and punches it through point for a run.

In the corridor of uncertainty, the batter is not interested in playing at that.

Ghazi Ghori comes in next.

OUT! CAUGHT! An absolute blinder from Pasindu Sooriyabandara! The leg-gully trap strikes again, just as it did with Babar Azam. Milan Rathnayake fires in a 128 kph delivery, full and around middle and leg. Salman Agha leans across to flick but fails to keep it down, catching the inner half of the bat. The ball rockets towards leg gully, where Pasindu leans back and plucks it out of the air, taking the catch in front of his face. Sri Lanka have another breakthrough and are refusing to let this game drift away. Pakistan's lead stands at 113.

Serves it on a good length around off, Agha goes on the back foot and defends it down.

Angling in around off, on a fuller length, Saud bunts it down to mid on and collects a run.

BEATS THE BAT! Milan Rathnayake keeps Saud Shakeel guessing with a probing length delivery close to off. Shakeel presses forward to defend, but the ball deviates just enough to sneak past the outside edge.

Bowls it on a good length, close to off and straightens a touch, Shakeel pushes at it and misses. Kusal collects the ball and is still feeling the pain.

Milan bowls it on a length around off, Shakeel defends it off the front foot.

Length ball on off, that is defended solidly off the front foot.

FOUR! Beautifully timed by Salman Agha! A full delivery on middle is met with a neat shift of weight and a controlled flick. He finds the gap past the diving mid-wicket fielder, and the ball races away to the fence. Lead - 112.

Around middle, Salman flicks but finds mid-wicket.

Halt in play. Kusal Mendis has taken a painful blow to his fingers off the last ball, as the ball deflected off the less-protected area inside his glove. The physio is out in the middle, and the magic spray is being brought into action.

Madushanka loses his line, straying down the leg side with a length delivery. Salman Agha tries to glance it fine but misses, and Kusal Mendis dives across to his left. The ball brushes his gloves and races towards deep fine leg, allowing the batters to pick up two byes.

FOUR! A welcome release of pressure from Salman Agha! Short and wide outside off, and he wastes no time latching onto it, cutting it firmly through point. A reminder that survival need not mean shutting shop. The loose deliveries still need to be punished.

A probing delivery on off, curving back into Salman Agha. He judges the line carefully, brings his bat close to the body and lets it pass at the last moment.

Effort ball, directed at the leg stump on a good length. Saud Shakeel gets across and closes the face of the bat, keeping the ball down as it rolls through to short leg.

In the zone around off, the batter has just blocked that from the crease.

A length ball on off holds its line before straightening slightly, leaving Saud Shakeel caught on the crease with his stance opened up. He manages to get his bat behind it and keep it down towards point.

Salman Agha rises onto his toes and opens the face to steer a back-of-a-length delivery outside off past point. The fielder dives in pursuit but cannot cut it off, allowing the batters to race back for three. Pakistan's lead moves beyond 100.

Delivers it on a good length, outside off, Salman lets it go to the keeper.

Salman Agha comes down the track, shuffling across to get closer to the line, and takes the sting out of a length ball outside off with soft hands. It trickles towards gully.

Yet another outswinger from Dilshan Madushanka, the line remains outside off and Saud is happy to let it go.

Outswinger around off, angling in and then going away, Saud makes a watchful leave.

Outside off, the batter lets the ball go outside off stump and it again hardly carries to the keeper.

A low one outside off, but Saud Shakeel is happy to let it pass. It skims through to Kusal Mendis, who gathers it on the bounce.

On a length and outside off, shaping away, Shakeel allows it through.

Starts with a length ball around off, Saud defends it from the back foot.

We're back. The light has improved is what the umpires feel and the players return on the field. Here we go...

6.11 am GMT - Play stopped due to bad light. The conditions have turned seriously gloomy in Rawalpindi, and even with the floodlights blazing, the umpires have decided that it is not conducive enough for play to continue. The players are heading off, bringing an untimely halt to an absorbing passage of cricket. Sri Lanka had built up the momentum and were beginning to make their presence felt, so they will certainly not be thrilled with this interruption. The weather, once again, has had a say in the proceedings. Stay tuned for the latest updates.

Game stopped due to : Bad Light

Fullish and on off, Saud gets across, opens the face of his blade and pushes it to point, for a run.

A length delivery angles into Saud Shakeel from around off. He looks to work it towards the leg side but misses, taking a blow high on the front pad.

Full and close to off, Salman lunges and pushes it gently to covers for a quick run.

Short and around off, Saud Shakeel gets back and pulls, but the ball deflects off the short-leg fielder. The batters take a single.

Around off, on a length, Saud defends it with soft hands to mid on.

Down the leg side, Shakeel tries to flick but misses.

Salman Agha is struggling to come to terms with this angle and movement. He prods forward, gets his bat across just in time, but the ball takes an inside edge onto the back pad. Kusal Mendis and the slip cordon go up in unison for an LBW, but Dilshan Madushanka shows little interest in the appeal. Probing over.

On a length around middle, Salman Agha comes forward and looks to flick it across the line, but gets an inside edge onto his pads. The ball drops safely in front of point.

WHAT A DELIVERY! Dilshan Madushanka fires in a yorker on middle, leaving Salman Agha with little time to react. Agha leans across and just about gets his bat down in time to keep it out. He almost lost his footing.

EDGY! Dilshan Madushanka pulls his length back and gets one to pass close to off stump. Salman Agha stays back and looks to keep it out, but the ball catches the outside edge and drops short of gully. A close shave for Pakistan!

A sharp 132.9 kph short ball, angling down the leg side from middle and leg. Salman Agha looks to help it fine with a glance but fails to make contact.

Angles in a length ball on middle and off, Salman defends it towards mid on.

Drifting down leg, Salman Agha gets an uppish flick away, just beyond the diving leg-gully fielder. They hurry through for a single, and Pakistan have another anxious moment at the crease.

Salman Agha walks in next.

OUT! CAUGHT! The leg-gully trap pays off! Milan Rathnayake sticks to the plan, sending down a 128 kph length delivery around middle and leg. Babar Azam looks to whip it away with a flick but fails to get the desired connection. The ball travels towards leg gully, where Lahiru Udara stays alert and takes a safe catch. The Sri Lankans are all smiles as a big wicket falls. Pakistan's lead is 95, but Sri Lanka will sense an opportunity here.

Bumper around off, Babar leans back and evades.

Full and around middle, Babar Azam nudges it towards mid on and initially sets off for a single, but Saud Shakeel sends him back. Babar turns around and makes it safely back to his crease.

Fuller in length, around middle, Babar flicks it away off his pads but finds backward square leg.

Milan Rathnayake goes straight at the stumps with a length delivery, and Babar Azam stays back in his crease to keep it out with a solid defensive stroke.

Dilshan Madushanka serves it on a good length again, just outside off, Shakeel shuffles across and then leaves.

On a good length, outside off and moving away, Saud leaves it at the last moment.

Pitches it up and close to off, Shakeel is drawn forward as he defends it solidly to mid on.

In the channel outside off, on a length and shaping away, Saud leaves it alone.

A floated delivery, full and wide of off, and Saud Shakeel reaches out to drive it through the covers. They collect two at deep cover, bringing up a FIFTY-RUN STAND between Babar Azam and Shakeel.

The artificial lights are switched on as the conditions have turned gloomy. This could assist the seamers more. There is a slight halt at the moment to make sure the tower lights are fully effective.

A touch short and on off, Babar punches it throuhg covers for a run.

Drinks break. An action-packed first half of this extended morning session has given this Test a much-needed jolt. Sri Lanka came out breathing fire, removing both overnight batters in quick succession and putting Pakistan under immediate pressure. The hosts, though, have since steadied themselves through a valuable 47-run stand between Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel, taking their lead to 92. Sri Lanka are getting plenty of assistance from the conditions, and they will know the time has come to make their move to force a panic in the Pakistan camp. Dropping Babar on 22 could prove a costly lapse, particularly with the Pakistan captain now well into his stride. The remaining part of the morning session promises plenty, with the balance still delicately poised.

Full and on off, angling in, Saud Shakeel defends it well.

On a length, close to off, that is defended solidly off the front foot.

PLAY AND A MISS! Milan Rathnayake is finding a wonderful rhythm from around the wicket. He pushes the length fuller, starts the ball outside off and gets it to straighten away off the seam after angling in. Saud Shakeel commits to the forward defensive, but the movement takes it past the outside edge. Superb bowling!

A change of angle from Milan Rathnayake as he comes around the wicket. He lands it on a probing length around off, angles it into Saud Shakeel before getting it to straighten off the seam. Shakeel reaches forward to meet it but the ball slips past the outside edge.

A bumper around leg, Saud Shakeel ducks underneath it easily.

Serves it on a good length, around off, Saud defends it from the front foot.

Around off, on a length, Babar defends it from the back foot to the off side.

A 130.7 kph bouncer, directed around off. Babar Azam is quick to read the length, drops his hands and sways back, allowing the ball to sail harmlessly over him.

A little too straight from Dilshan Madushanka, full and on middle, Babar clips it to deep mid-wicket for a couple.

Close to off, on a good length, the batter has just blocked that from the crease with unsure footwork.

Excellent delivery! Milan Rathnayake comes around the wicket and gets a good-length delivery to nip back in from outside off. Babar Azam retreats onto the back foot to defend, but the movement cramps him for room. The inside edge saves him from a more awkward outcome as the ball deflects onto his body.

Length delivery outside off, Shakeel drives it on the up, through the gap at covers, for a run.

FOUR! Babar Azam is making the most of anything offered outside off. He gets a full delivery and meets it with a crisp, flowing drive, threading the gap through the covers. Pakistan bring up 100, stretching their lead to 89.

On a length around off, the batter has just watchfully blocked this out.

LBW APPEAL! Sri Lanka go upstairs after a confident appeal is turned down. Milan Rathnayake lands it on a good length around middle, with a hint of inward movement. Babar Azam plays for the line but the ball sneaks past his defensive bat and strikes him on the front pad. UltraEdge detects no bat, while Ball Tracking returns the umpire's call on hitting, with the ball clipping leg stump. Babar can continue.

Delivers it again on a fuller length, around off, it's defended to the off side.

Fuller and on off, that is defended solidly off the front foot.

FOUR! What a way to welcome Milan Rathnayake! He starts with a loosener, short and wide outside off. Babar Azam rocks back and punches it sweetly through the covers, sending it racing to the fence. Pakistan's lead moves to 85.

A length ball outside off, shaping away from the left-hander. Saud Shakeel watches it closely and lets it pass through to the keeper.

Short and outside off, Babar cuts it to deep point and takes a single.

A yorker outside off, Babar Azam gets his bat down just in time and squeezes it out off the bottom half, the ball trickling towards the slip cordon.

A length ball shapes down the leg side, and Saud Shakeel fails to get bat on his attempted flick. There is a brief appeal as the ball rolls away towards square leg, but the umpire is unmoved. The batters use the deflection to sneak a leg bye.

The batter shoulders arms to let that one through.

Full and on middle, angling down, Saud tries to flick but misses. It deflects off his pads to covers. There was some edge as well.

Around off, the batter has just blocked that from the crease.

Outside off, the batter is not interested in playing at that.

A half-hearted appeal for LBW from Asitha Fernando. He brings a length ball back into Babar Azam from around off. Babar gets forward to defend, bringing his bat close to the front pad, and appears to get some bat on it before the ball strikes him on the pad. Asitha appeals, with the slip cordon joining in, but the umpire remains unmoved.

DROPPED! A costly miss from Kamindu Mendis, and Babar Azam gets a reprieve on 22! Asitha Fernando serves an outswinger on a length outside off. Babar gets forward and pushes at it away from his body, failing to find the middle. The outside edge travels at a comfortable height towards second slip, but Kamindu cannot hold on. A big opportunity goes begging for Sri Lanka!

Around off, on a good length, the batter has just blocked that from the crease.

FOUR! Beautifully timed by Babar Azam! Short and around off, he rocks back, rolls his wrists over the ball and whips it through the gap past mid-wicket. The placement is precise, and the timing does the rest as it races to the boundary. Immediately, mid-wicket drops back after this shot.

Full again, around middle, Shakeel shuffles across the stumps and clips it to deep mid-wicket, another couple of runs. Lead is now 75 runs.

Full and outside off, Saud Shakeel leans into the drive and threads it through the cover-point region. The ball races towards the deep, where the fielder cuts it off, keeping the batters down to two.

A touch short and around off, Saud Shakeel goes back to defend but gets it off the inside half of the bat. The ball drops just in front of his legs before trickling away behind him.

Dilshan Madushanka hits a good length around off, and Saud Shakeel gets behind the line to defend with an angled bat, steering it towards point.

Another delivery outside off, the batter shoulders arms to let that one through.

Dilshan Madushanka comes into the attack and delivers a length ball outside off, Saud Shakeel offers no shot.

Around off, the batter has just blocked that from the crease.

Fullish and on off, driven off the front foot to mid off. The siren went off as the bowler had overstepped.

A touch short and around middle, Saud Shakeel looks to glance it fine but gets an inside edge onto the thigh pad. The ball pops up and drops safely wide of leg gully, allowing the batters to sneak a single. It's given as a leg bye, perhaps no inside edge there.

Pitches it up and around off, Saud leans across and closes the face of his bat as he helps it to short mid-wicket.

Slants in a length ball on off, Shakeel gets forward and defends it back.

Given LBW! Asitha Fernando steams in from round the wicket and fires in a 132.7 kph delivery on a length around off. The ball angles into Saud Shakeel, beats his back-foot defensive attempt and thuds into the back pad. A loud appeal follows, and the umpire raises his finger. Shakeel has a brief discussion with Babar Azam before opting for the review. UltraEdge confirms no bat was involved, but Ball Tracking shows the impact is outside off. The on-field decision is overturned, and Shakeel survives! Also, the replays showed that it brushed the front pad first, but the impact still remained outside the line.

A length ball on off, angling in, Saud stays back and helps it to mid-wicket.

Lahiru Kumara continues to vary his lengths, going short and wide outside off this time. Babar Azam rocks back and crunches it through to deep cover, picking up a couple of runs.

A sharp 138 kph yorker, aimed at off stump. Babar Azam reacts quickly, gets his bat down in time and does well to dig it out.

Saud Shakeel is finally off the mark, getting his first run off the 16th ball he faces. Short again and around off, he swivels into a controlled pull, sending it along the ground to deep square leg for a single.

Shortish and around off, Saud Shakeel gets onto the back foot and keeps it out with a compact defensive stroke. He remains on nought after 15 deliveries.

Back of a length around middle, Babar Azam rocks onto the back foot, rides the bounce neatly and works it off his hips towards deep square leg for a single.

Lahiru Kumara gets one to swing back in from a length, but the line is well outside off. Babar Azam judges it comfortably and lets it go through to the keeper.

Full again and this time it is sprayed down the leg side, Babar tries to flick but misses. It goes behind off the pads, and Kusal dives to his left. He parries it behind and they cross for a leg bye.

FOUR! Exquisite timing! Full and outside off at 132 kph, the ball shapes away but Babar Azam gets well forward, transfers his weight beautifully and threads a sumptuous drive through the covers. Gorgeous stroke! Lead - 64 runs.

A driving length delivery, shaping away, Babar shoulders arms.

Fuller in length and on middle, shaping towards off, Babar does well to defend it with soft hands.

Similar to the last delivery, this time Babar leaves it with assurity.

BEATEN! A beauty from the bowler! Pitched on a good length around off, the ball seams away appreciably, confusing Babar Azam about whether to go back or come forward in defense. It moves just enough to beat the outside edge. Superb seam movement!

A length ball around off, shaping back into the batter off the seam. Saud Shakeel gets forward to defend but the inward movement takes a thick inside edge onto his pads. Probing over.

A change in the field as square leg drops back, but Lahiru Kumara has other plans. He keeps the length full and the line around off, drawing Saud Shakeel forward in defense. The batter gets his bat down firmly and blocks it with a straight face.

Around off on a good length, Shakeel sits back and defends it with an angled bat to point.

On a similar length around off, the ball angles back into the batter this time. Saud Shakeel reads it early, keeps his bat tucked safely behind the line and lets it pass through to the wicketkeeper. A watchful leave.

BEATEN! A probing effort from Lahiru Kumara! He digs it in on a good length around off, and the ball climbs sharply before deviating away. Saud Shakeel pushes at it from the crease but is beaten all ends up. A fine effort delivery from the Sri Lankan quick.

AERIAL BUT SAFE! Babar gets on his toes to take on a short delivery outside off, carving the cut uppishly but finding the gap. The ball travels towards deep point, where the fielder is stationed to keep it to a single.

FOUR BYES! A misdirection from Asitha Fernando as he sends a full delivery down the leg side. Saud Shakeel looks to help it away with a flick but fails to make contact. Kusal Mendis throws himself to his right, but the ball is well beyond his reach and races away to the boundary. Four bonus runs for Pakistan, stretching their lead to 59.

A near yorker on off, fired in at the stumps. Saud gets his bat down just in time, smothering the delivery and easing it towards mid off.

A touch fuller this time, angling in towards off. Saud Shakeel gets his weight forward and works it neatly towards mid-wicket, but the fielder is quick to cut off any thoughts of a single.

A disciplined line from Asitha, keeping it on a good length, close to off. Saud Shakeel gets across, covers the line and presents a solid bat, keeping the ball out on the off side.

Asitha lands it on a good length, around off and shaping in a hint, Saud covers the movement and shoulders arms.

A bit too full and around middle, Babar wrists it to the right of mid on. The fielder makes a diving stop and the batters cross for a run.

Shortish and on off, punched to sweeper cover for a run.

FOUR! Babar follows up with another boundary, though this one comes with a touch of fortune. Full and around off, he strides forward and looks to drive straight, but gets it off the inside half of the bat. The ball shoots past mid on and races away to the fence. Lead - 53 runs.

Fuller and on off, pushed off the front foot to mid off.

FOUR! Babar Azam gets Pakistan's first runs of the morning in emphatic fashion! Overpitched outside off, he gets forward, meets it with a fluent stride and drives crisply through the covers. A perfectly timed stroke that races away to the fence. The lead is now 49 runs.

On a length around off, the ball angles in towards Babar, who stays deep in the crease and brings his bat down firmly, keeping it out with a compact back-foot defense.

Back of a length around off, Babar rocks onto the back foot and punches it firmly towards the cover fielder.

In the zone outside off, on a good length and shaping away, Saud shoulders arms.

Fernando aims at the off stump with a good-length delivery, Saud covers the angle and defends it safely.

Hurls a length delivery in the channel outside off, Shakeel offers no shot.

Angles in a length ball around off, Saud blocks it off his front foot.

Saud Shakeel is the new batter.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Asitha Fernando strikes straight away as well, and Pakistan are being rattled on this Day 5 morning! A 128.8 kph delivery, on a length close to off, nips away just enough to draw Mohammad Taha into a needless fiddle inside the line. The outside edge is found, in fact, that's gloved, and Kusal Mendis dives sharply to his left to pull off an acrobatic catch behind the stumps. Two quick wickets, with Pakistan's lead still at 45. Sri Lanka can sense an opportunity here!

Length ball around off, the batter has just watchfully blocked this out.

Asitha Fernando is ready to bowl from the other end.

Lahiru Kumara angles a length delivery into the off-stump channel. Babar gets right behind the line and blocks it back with a solid forward defense.

On a good length around off, Babar stays back and brings his bat down at an angle, guiding the ball safely towards point.

Kumara delivers it on a good length and outside off, Babar covers the line and shoulders arms.

Babar Azam walks in at number 3.

OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! A dream start to Day 5 for Sri Lanka! Lahiru Kumara pitches it on a tempting driving length outside off. The ball lands and holds its line, drawing Azan Awais into a loose drive away from his body. A thick outside edge is found, and Kamindu Mendis makes no mistake at second slip. The Sri Lankans erupt in celebration. What a start, and Pakistan are immediately under pressure!

Let's go... It's time to get going! The players are out in the middle as Day 5 is all set to resume, with Mohammad Taha and Azan Awais the overnight batters for Pakistan. The hosts carry a 45-run lead into the final day, with Lahiru Kumara to complete his unfinished over. There is plenty of cloud cover overhead, adding a little spice to the morning. The field is set, the players are ready, and 'play' says the umpire...

Pitch holds few demons! Despite all the rain, Aamer Sohail and Salman Butt feel there is little cause for concern from the pitch. The surface looks surprisingly dry, with no significant extra moisture despite the weather interruptions. However, under overcast skies, the ball could still do a little more, making the bowlers' ability to hit the right channels crucial. As for Sri Lanka missing a frontline spinner, the view is that the emerging patches on the surface are unlikely to trouble the batters just yet. Had there been full days of play over the last four days, the spinners might have come into the equation, but with limited cricket played so far, the surface has not deteriorated enough to bring them into the picture.

Plenty of action elsewhere! As we wait for this game to resume, there is plenty happening elsewhere in the cricketing world. In the 4th ODI between New Zealand and India at Mount Maunganui, the Men in Blue won yet another toss and opted to field. The Kiwis made a strong start before losing their way briefly, but have since steadied the ship and reached 187/3 after 27 overs. Around 5,500 km away in Perth, England have been invited to bat first against Australia and are currently 27/1 after six overs. So, plenty to keep an eye on! You can hop across the tabs for all the updates, but don't wander too far from here either.

Saqib sparked a Lankan collapse - Day 4 finally broke the shackles. If Day 3 was supposed to be the 'moving day', it certainly moved in the wrong direction for Pakistan, who spent the entire day toiling for just one wicket. The script was rewritten dramatically on the fourth morning, though, as Sri Lanka suffered a spectacular collapse, with Saqib Khan at the heart of the carnage with a magnificent seven-wicket haul. Once the mammoth 249-run stand for the fifth wicket was finally broken, the floodgates opened. Sri Lanka lost their final six wickets for just 42 runs, turning what had threatened to become a substantial advantage into a mere 12-run lead. At one stage, that lead had looked considerably more imposing, but Pakistan's late burst ensured the damage was kept to a bare minimum.

A draw is dawning - Day 5 beckons, but this Test seems to be limping rather comfortably towards a tame draw. It has been a high-scoring affair, yet the contest has repeatedly been at the mercy of bad light, rain and early finishes, with a sizeable chunk of overs disappearing into the ether. That lost time has inevitably taken a toll on the game's prospects of producing a decisive result. And then there is Rawalpindi in November, where the sun has a rather early appointment with the horizon. Put all those pieces together, and the picture is becoming increasingly clear. Barring a cricketing miracle, this Test appears to be travelling down a one-way street towards a draw.

... DAY 5 ...

Heading into the final day - That wraps up a rather stop-start day in Rawalpindi, where the weather allowed only fleeting glimpses of cricket and left plenty to be done on the final day. A draw is now looking the likeliest outcome, although a couple of dramatic batting collapses or a sudden change in the behaviour of the surface could still bring the other results into play. Cricket, after all, is a funny game, and all three results remain mathematically possible heading into the final day. Day 5 gets underway on Friday, November 13, at 4.30 am GMT. Do join us a little earlier for all the build-up and latest updates. Until then, take care and cheers!

Saqib's seven-for makes it an even contest - The fourth morning belonged to Pakistan, with debutant Saqib Khan producing a sensational spell to complete a seven-wicket haul and bowl Sri Lanka out for 446, giving the visitors a slender 12-run lead. Dhananjaya de Silva fell for a magnificent 167, while Kusal Mendis made 119, but Pakistan struck regularly to clean up the remaining six wickets. Their reply began with an early setback as Asitha Fernando dismissed Tayyab Arif for 11, but Azan Awais and Mohammad Taha steadied things, taking Pakistan to 39/1 at Lunch and establishing a 27-run lead.

10.15 am GMT - STUMPS, DAY 4! And that's the end of the road for Day 4, with the umpires officially calling off play for the day. A frustrating outcome, but an inevitable one given the rain and gloomy conditions that have hampered proceedings throughout. The players will have to wait another day for a chance to get back out there, with hopes of better weather on the final day.

... DAY 4, SESSION 3 ...

Awais and Taha weather the storm - Azain Awais and Mohammad Taha showed good composure under pressure, weathering the challenging spell to remain unbeaten in their 20s and stretch Pakistan's lead to 45 runs. However, just as the pair were beginning to settle, bad light and rain intervened and we never got back on in this session. Play is scheduled to resume at around 10.10 am GMT, but with the gloomy conditions persisting, the wait could well be much longer.

Lankan pacers maintain the pressure - Overcast conditions continued to hang over Rawalpindi, and Sri Lanka’s pacers kept hammering away at the awkward channels to keep the batters in check. Lahiru Kumara and Milan Rathnayaka bowled tirelessly, probing away without giving much away and steadily tightening the pressure. They extracted enough bounce to trouble the batters on a few occasions, and Rathnayaka nearly had his reward for such disciplined bowling, only for Kusal Mendis to put down the chance.

9.50 am GMT - TEA, DAY 4! Tea has been taken, but unfortunately, there is still no respite from the weather in Rawalpindi. The players remain off the field, with the persistent gloom and threat of further rain continuing to frustrate any hopes of a resumption. Time is running out for any meaningful action on Day 4.

9.40 am GMT - It's almost Tea time, but there has been no improvement in the conditions, with the gloomy weather continuing to hold things up. It looks like the the drizzle has stopped, but getting sufficient light to resume play could prove a big ask. The prospects of any further action today are looking increasingly slim.

9.10 am GMT - No positive updates from Rawalpindi as it continues to drizzle. It has been nearly 45 minutes since play was halted, and an early Tea break looks highly likely. Stay tuned for further updates, and let's hope the weather clears soon.

8.53 am GMT - And… it looks like it's drizzling in Rawalpindi. The pitch has already been covered with a white sheet, while additional covers are being brought out to protect the rest of the playing area. The rain was expected to arrive in the afternoon, and with the skies continuing to darken, the rest of the day looks increasingly likely to be affected by the weather.

8.48 am GMT - There is no significant update from Rawalpindi, with conditions still gloomy and the ground under cover. With rain forecast over the next hour or so, the prospects of seeing any further action today look increasingly bleak. We'll have to wait and hope the weather clears up.

8.26 am GMT - Bad light stops play - Uh-oh! The two umpires, Rod Tucker and Adrian Holdstock, meet for a discussion, and it appears the light has dropped below the benchmark level. They ask the players to walk off the field. Hopefully, conditions improve soon, but for now, it remains rather pretty gloomy overhead.

Game stopped due to : Bad Light

Game stopped due to : Bad Light

Back of a length and around leg, Mohammad Taha nudges it to deep fine leg for a single.

FOUR! Nice shot! Fuller one and on middle, Mohammad Taha presents the full face of the bat and just checks his drive at the last moment. He times it so well that the ball races to the fence for a boundary.

On-field umpire Rod Tucker has the light meter in his hand, and the reading suggests conditions are still playable for now. However, the light is fading rapidly, and there is a growing concern that rain may not be far away.

Just short! Milan Rathnayaka bowls this on a good length and around off, angles in and then shapes away. Milan Rathnayaka feels for it away from his body and gets an outside edge but the ball drops just in front of first slip.

Just short of a length and well outside off, Azan Awais shoulders arms to it.

Touch fuller now, on off, Azan Awais blocks it out well.

Pulls his length back a bit, on of, Azan Awais taps it out to short cover.

Pitched up, on the pads, Azan Awais tucks it to square leg.

Fuller and around leg, Azan Awais clips it to short mid-wicket.

Dug into the surface, on off, Mohammad Taha dabs it down through cover-point for a brace. Pakistan lead by 40 runs now!

Hard-length delivery, on off, Mohammad Taha stabs it out towards point.

Much fuller, on middle, angling in, Mohammad Taha tucks it to short mid-wicket.

Short of a length and outside off, Azan Awais cuts it away to deep point for a single. 50 up for Pakistan!

Play and a miss! Lands this on a good length and around off, holds its line. Azan Awais has a tentative poke at it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Back of a length and on off, jags back in a bit. Azan Awais hops up a bit and tries to punch it away but gets an inside edge onto his pads.

Hard length and on middle, Mohammad Taha is solid in his defense again. Back-to-back maiden overs!

On a length and on middle and off, Mohammad Taha gets half-forward and taps it to short cover.

Hits the deck hard, on off, Mohammad Taha rides the bounce and punches it to short cover.

Short of a length and well outside off, Mohammad Taha reaches out and cuts it hard but straight to point.

Back of a length and on middle, Mohammad Taha stays back and pats it down to the leg side.

Fuller and on off, angling in, Mohammad Taha drills it away to mid off.

Flirting with the edge! Fuller than a length, outside off, inviting the batter. Azan Awais does not move his feet much and plays away from his body. Loosely hangs his bat out and is beaten all ends up.

Nagging length, on top of the stumps, Awais tucks it to the silly mid on fielder.

A silly mid on comes in place, standing right beside the pitch. Back of a length, jagging back with bounce. Azan looks to access the off side but the ball hits the inner splice of the bat and deflects onto his back thigh.

Length on off, Azan hangs back and punches it to short cover.

Loose from Azan! Wide outside off on a good length, Azan Awais dangles the bat loosely away from his body and gets beaten on the outside edge as the ball deviates away.

On off, nipping in and bouncing off the track, Awais gets on the toes and steers the length ball to square leg.

A length ball on top of off, Taha weighs back and blocks it down the pitch.

On a good length, wide of off, Mohammad Taha rocks back, opens the bat face at the point of contact and dabs it through gully and second slip for a couple of runs.

Bends his back and bangs it short outside off, Taha sways away and drops his wrists to leave.

Attacks the stumps, a touch full, Taha defends it with a straight bt.

This one spits up from a good length, on off, Taha looks to block it off the back foot but the ball rises at an awkward height to flummox him. He manages to fend it with soft hands to the off side.

Fuller than a length, outside off, Taha steers it to point.

Length ball and angling in, Awais gets behind the line and blocks it back to the bowler.

Back of a length, shaping away with bounce, outside off, Awais hops on the toes and mistimes the shot to point.

Attacks the bodyline with a short delivery, Azan ducks underneath it.

Length ball on middle, Taha hops back and nudges it to the leg side for a quick single.

Beauty! Kumara pitches it full on fourth stump, getting it to slide in before straightening away off the surface. Taha is drawn into a drive, but the ball zips past the outside edge.

A length ball angled into off stump, Azan Awais pushes at it and gets an outside edge. The ball flies away behind square on the off side for a single.

On a fuller length, outside off, angling in, Taha shoulders arms.

Back of a length, nipping away, Taha stands tall and has a waft at it, but misses.

Fuller ball, outside off, Azan leans on and drives it through cover-point. The ball slows down in the outfield and is mopped up before the ropes. Three runs taken.

Around off on a length, eased towards point.

Length ball on middle and leg, nudged to mid-wicket.

PUT DOWN! Kusal Mendis cannot hold on to a genuine chance. Milan steams in from around the stumps, and lands it in the channel, on a good length. Azan Awais rocks back to block but the ball seams away off the surface and takes a feather off the outside edge. It carries and dips on the keeper and Kusal Mendis initially shifts to his right, then has to change direction and dive to his left as the ball dips. He gets a hand to it but cannot complete the catch, spilling a genuine chance.

Full and nipping away from the batter, Azan looks to drive it through the off side, but slices it behind point for a single. Pakistan lead by 30 runs now!

Length-delivery and it kicks up a bit, on off, Azan Awais is taken aback by the extra bounce and somehow manages to stab it down.

Fuller in the channel, Awais leans on and defends it to backward point.

Bail-trimming length, on off, Awais hangs back and taps it to backward point.

Three-quarter length, on middle, Taha stabs it through square leg and mid-wicket for a single.

Dark clouds have taken over here and all the floodlight towers are in full affect now.

Nagging length, outside off, Taha lets it through.

Good length, outside off, Awais strides forward and taps it to cover-point.

Fuller than a length, on the fourth stump, Awais hits it on the up to cover.

Short of a length, outside off, Awais punches it to covers.

Just outside off, on a length, Azan hangs back, plays with soft hands and dabs it to gully.

On a length, on off, Azan hangs back and blocks it down to the bowler's left.

From around the stump. Angled in and around off, full in length, Taha flicks it wide of mid-wicket for a single.

We are back for the post-Lunch session! The players are heading out to the middle now. Mohammad Taha and Azan Awais will resume batting for Pakistan. Milan Rathnayaka will start proceedings with the ball. The floodlights have been turned on as well. Here we go...

... DAY 4, SESSION 2 ...

Who's ahead? It's a tough question to answer, to be very honest. Both teams have roared back from a precarious situation, so it's all even-stevens at the moment. Asitha Fernando gave Sri Lanka an early moment to cheer when he sent back Tayyab Arif, but it didn't last. From there, Azan and Taha went about their work calmly, clearing the deficit with little fuss and batting watchfully through the session. Pakistan lead by 27 runs and will look to extend it into three figures, but with overcast skies, chilly weather and rain looming, Sri Lanka's bowlers will be keen to make inroads in the second session. Play resumes at 7.40 am GMT. Join us then.

A debut to remember - Overcast skies, a cold morning and a ball that kept swinging handed Saqib Khan the perfect conditions to make his mark. Bowling tight lines and probing lengths alongside Abbas, Saqib seized the moment when Pakistan needed him most. He removed Dhananjaya de Silva with a full, away-swinging delivery, then accounted for Kusal Mendis in almost identical fashion after Shakeel had put down a chance. Sonal Dinusha looked uneasy early but grew into his innings, yet Saqib returned to land another couple of decisive blows. His seven- wicket haul on Test debut transformed the morning, taking Sri Lanka from 404/4 to 446 all out, leaving them with a slender 12-run lead and dragging Pakistan firmly back into the contest.

7.04 am GMT - Lunch on Day 4 - Quite a pacy morning session in Rawalpindi. After Sri Lanka dominated the third day, Pakistan have made a roaring comeback on the fourth morning, taking all six remaining Sri Lankan wickets to keep the tourists' lead slender before wiping it out upon coming to bat. Overall, a session completely dominated by the bowlers, with 7 wickets falling.

FOUR! Lovely way to end the session! Overpitched delivery, on middle and off. Azan Awais shows the full face of the bat and drives it with incredible timing down to the long off fence for a boundary. THAT WILL BE LUNCH ON DAY 4!

A quick and sharp bumper, just outside off. Azan Awais shapes up for the pull but withdraws from the shot.

Short of a length and on middle, Mohammad Taha stays back and clips it towards backward square leg for a single.

Bangs in a bouncer now, around off, at 135 clicks. Mohammad Taha sways away from it.

Dug into the surface, just around off, shaping away. Mohammad Taha leaves it alone.

Just back of a length, on middle, angling in, Mohammad Taha pats it down the pitch.

This should be the last over before lunch. Lahiru Kumara (2-1-2-0) will wrap up the session.

Goes fuller and around off, Azan Awais opens the bat face and steers it through backward point for a brace.

Back of a length and in the channel outside off, holds its line. Azan Awais plays well inside the line as the ball goes through to the keeper.

Good length and well outside off, Azan Awais leaves it alone.

Touch fuller and on off, Mohammad Taha taps it in front of short cover for a quick single.

On a length and on off, Mohammad Taha blocks it out.

FOUR! Classy! A bit too full and on off. Mohammad Taha presents the full face of the bat and drives it gloriously down the ground to the long off fence for a boundary.

With just about five minutes left, Milan Rathnayaka is brought into the attack. He replaces Asitha Fernando.

Bangs in a buncer, on middle, Azan Awais ducks under it.

Edgy! Lahiru Kumara hits the deck hard, on middle, gets it to straighten off the deck. Mohammad Taha steps across to work it to the leg side but gets a leading edge that flies through the vacant backward point region for one.

Short of a length and on middle, Mohammad Taha stays back and keeps it out on the pitch.

Back of a length and on off, nips back in. Azan Awais stays back to push it away but gets an inside edge towards square leg for a single.

Full again and on middle, Azan Awais knocks it down the pitch. Lahiru Kumara gets low on his follow-through and makes a half-stop with his right hand.

Fuller and on middle, angling in, Azan Awais drives it down to mid on.

At least ten minutes left for Lunch. So maybe we will get a couple more overs with pacers operating in tandem.

On a length and around leg, Azan Awais clips it through square leg for a single.

Hard length and on off, jags back in, Azan Awais gets behind the line of it and blocks it out.

Bangs in a bouncer now, just around off, Azan Awais ducks under it.

Good length, on middle and leg, Azan Awais gets on his toes and tucks it to short mid-wicket.

Back of a length and on off, Azan Awais rides the bounce well and punches it to short cover.

Fuller one and around off, Azan Awais pushes it away to short cover.

Double change? Nope. Asitha continues.

Short of a length and well outside off, shaping away. Mohammad Taha shoulders arms to it. Kumara starts with a maiden over!

Hits the length hard, well outside off, Mohammad Taha offers no shot at it.

Pitched up, on off, Mohammad Taha steps across and drills it to silly mid on.

Back of a length and just round off, Mohammad Taha leaves it alone.

Beaten! Full again and on off, holds its line. Mohammad Taha gets drawn forward to block but gets beten on the outside edge.

Lahiru Kumara is into the attack now! Fuller and on middle, angling in, Mohammad Taha knocks it down the pitch.

On a length and on middle and off, Azan Awais pats it down the pitch.

FOUR! Streaky! Back of a length and just outside off, shaping away. Azan Awais stays back, opens the bat face and tries to guide it away. Gets a bit of an outside edge that goes between the slip cordon and gully for a boundary.

A half-volley, around off, Azan Awais strides out and drives it to short cover.

Goes fuller and around off, angling away. Azan Awais tries to drive it way but miscues it off the toe end of the bat down the pitch.

Short of a length and outside off. Azan Awais tries to cut it away but ends up chopping it off the bottom edge towards point.

Good-length delivery, on off, nips back in a bit. Azan Awais watches it through and makes a good leave.

Overpitched and on off, Mohammad Taha drills it away to mid off.

FOUR! Gets it away! Hits the deck hard and on middle, angling down the leg side. Mohammad Taha steps across and nudges it off his hips to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Another fuller one, on off, shaping away again. Mohammad Taha pushes it away to short cover.

Much fuller and on off, shapes away, Mohammad Taha gets forward and taps it to short cover.

Back of a length and around off, shaping away. Mohammad Taha lets it go to the keeper.

Fuller in length and on middle, Mohammad Taha blocks it out solidly.

Maiden over! Goes fuller and just down the leg side, Azan Awais tries to glance it away but misses as the ball just goes past the leg stump.

Lands this on a good length, on middle, Azan Awais pushes it towards mid off.

Short of a length and just outside off, angling away and takes off a bit as well. Azan Awais offers no shot at it.

Goes fuller and around off, angling away, Azan Awais leaves it alone.

Back of a length and on off, Azan Awais rides the bounce and pats it to short cover.

Fuller in length, on middle, Azan Awais knocks it with a straight bat back to the bowler.

Similar line and length, Taha shoulders arms.

Wide of off, on a length, Taha leaves the outswinging delivery.

A bit straight on the pads, full in length, Taha clips it to square leg.

Fuller than a length, on off, with a little hint of away shape. Taha presses forward and confidently blocks it to the off side.

Beauty! On a good length, outside off, the ball angles in before shaping away through the air and off the seam. Mohammad Taha is squared up as it zips past the outside edge.

Probes on a good length, around off, trying to swing it back in, but it goes straight. Taha leaves.

Curls in on the pads, full in length, Taha looks to flick but gets a bit of an inside edge on the front pad and the ball gets deflected to deep fine leg for a single.

Length ball, slanting across with bounce. Taha is happy to let it be.

Fuller ball, on the fourth stump, Taha leans on and defends.

Nagging length, around off, Taha hangs back and dabs it towards backward point.

Early blow for Pakistan. Mohammad Taha walks out to bat at number 3.

OUT! LBW! Asitha draws first blood and is pumped up. Pitched slightly fuller and it holds its line, Tayyab Arif plants the front foot across and goes for a flick but his head falls over. He ends up playing the wrong line and is hit on the front pad. A big shout for LBW and up goes the finger! Tayyab Arif has opted for a review straightaway. If there's no bat involved, though, it's stone-dead plumb in front. Nothing on UltraEdge, as the ball is next to the bat. Ball Tracking shows three reds with the ball crashing into the leg stump. The on-field decision is upheld, and Pakistan lose a review, and Tayyab falls cheaply. The hosts are 15/1, leading by 3 runs.

Fullish delivery, outside off, driven off the front foot to cover.

Full on the pads, Tayyab whips it wide of mid on for a single.

A bit streaky there! The ball swings back in from off to middle on a fuller length, and he looks to drive it straight but gets an inside edge onto the back pad. Fortunately for Arif, the ball does not carry to the keeper and rolls between first slip and Kusal Mendis, the keeper, for a couple. Pakistan are into the lead now! They lead by 2 runs.

Shapes in off a length, Tayyab Arif gets across and knocks it to mid on.

FOUR! Gets it through once again! Back of a length, angled across, Tayyab Arif hops on the toes to ride the bounce and scythes it wide of point for a boundary. Fantastic timing and placement on that shot. SCORES ARE LEVEL!

Shapes in a touch, on that three-quarter length, Tayyab Arif tickles it off the inside half of the bat to the left of the keeper.

FOUR! Lovely shot! Right out of the coach's manual. Dilshan lands it full and on the fourth stump, Tayyab Arif gets on the front foot, presents full face of the bat and creams it through the mid off and cover gap for a cracking boundary.

Dilshan Madushanka will share the attack.

Nagging length, on top of off, Awais punches it off the back foot to mid off.

On a length, swinging from off to middle, Azan Awais hangs back and tucks it to short mid-wicket.

Wide of off, on a length, dying on the surface. Azan shows no interest in playing that.

Full and around off, Azan presses forward and defends it to covers.

There is a bit of an issue with the landing area. One of the ground staff is running out into the middle with a hammer to flatten it out. We are good to go again.

Angled across the left-hander, on a good length, Azan shoulders arms.

FOUR! Well, that's some way to get off the mark! Width on offer by Asitha, short and outside off, Azan Awais rides the bounce, frees his arms and punches it through the cover and point gap for a boundary. Pakistan trail by 8 runs!

OUT! IN THE AIR...GONE! Razaullah finally gets a wicket and wraps things up. Sri Lanka have been bowled out for 446, taking a lead of 12 runs. This is just short of a length and around leg. Milan Rathnayaka tries to pull it away but does not commit to it fully and gets a top edge. It flies towards deep backward square leg, where Tayyab Arif moves to his left and takes a safe reverse-cup catch.

WIDE! Another bumper, on middle, too high again. Milan Rathnayaka ducks under it again. Ghazi Ghori fails to stop it and the fielder at third man runs to his right to collect it.

Dug into the surface, on middle, Milan Rathnayaka rolls his wrists and pulls it to deep square leg.

Razaullah bangs in a bouncer, but it is too high for the batter. Milan Rathnayaka tries to pull but misses. Ghazi Ghori leaps up but fails to stop it but the fielder at straightish third man cuts it off. It is called a No Ball for overstepping.

A wicket-maiden over! Goes fuller and ono ff, holds its line, Dilshan Madushanka looks to play at it but gets an outside edge that goes along the ground towards third slip.

Good length and on off, Dilshan Madushanka opens the bat face and guides it to gully.

Pitched up, on middle, Dilshan Madushanka blocks it out.

Fuller delivery, on middle and leg, Dilshan Madushanka knocks it down the pitch.

Drinks Break! It is Saqib Khan against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi, and there is simply no stopping him. He has claimed all five wickets today and looks well placed to finish with eight on debut, turning what was already a dreamlike Test into something truly special. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have folded under pressure and found no answer to Saqib's relentless discipline. They lead by just 10 runs, but from the position they held at the start of the day, a substantial lead seemed inevitable. Instead, their plans have been washed away by Saqib's morning burst. Pakistan are well and truly back in the game and will look to wrap up as quickly as possible. Dilshan Madushanka is the last batter in for Sri Lanka. Can Saqib finish things off in this over itself?

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! A fine review from Pakistan and Saqib Khan gets his seventh wicket now. He goes a bit fuller and on middle, gets it to straighten again. Asitha Fernando gets turned inside out, trying to defend it as the ball goes very close to his outside edge and behind, where Ghazi Ghori grabs it. There is a slight appeal for caught behind, but it is turned down. Saqib thinks there is an outside edge, and although the players do not look that confident, Babar Azam takes the review. UltraEdge shows a small spike when the ball is next to the outside edge, and it turns out to be a great review as the on-field call is overturned.

That takes off! Hard length and on middle, it straightens off the deck and shoots up as well. Asitha Fernando looks to play at it but gets squared up and ends up gloving it down towards point.

Maiden over! Dug into the surface, on off, Milan Rathnayaka tries to swat it away but gets no timing at all as the ball rolls to mid on.

Pitched up and around off, angling in, Milan Rathnayaka keeps it out to the off side.

Short of a length and on off, Milan Rathnayaka dabs it down to point.

Hits the deck hard, on middle, jags back in sharply. Milan Rathnayaka stays back to clip it across the line but misses and gets hit on the pads. Razaullah is literally pleading to the umpire for LBW, but gets nothing.

Goes fuller and on middle and leg, Milan Rathnayaka looks to flick it away but the ball clips his pads and rolls behind to the keeper.

Back of a length and around off, Milan Rathnayaka punches it towards cover-point.

FOUR! Gets it away! Saqib Khan strays into the pads and serves this fuller as well. Asitha Fernando does not miss out and glances it to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

A bouncer now, on middle and leg, Asitha Fernando ducks under it.

Pitched up and around middle, Asitha Fernando fends it down the pitch.

Much fuller and on middle, Asitha Fernando blocks it out.

Good length, on middle, holds its line, Asitha Fernando stays back and just about manages to get some bat on it to keep it out.

What a Test debut the young quick is having! Sri Lanka are folding under pressure now. Asitha Fernando is the new batter in at number 10 and will face the Hat Trick ball.

OUT! PLUMB IN FRONT! Wicket number six for Saqib Khan, and he is in dreamland here. This is fuller in length and on middle, shaping in a touch. Lahiru Kumara gets stuck in his crease and tries to defend but is late and plays down the wrong line as well. The ball goes through the big gap between bat and pad and hits him on the pads right in front of the stumps. There is a big appeal for LBW, and the finger goes up. Kumara takes the review but much more in hope. UltraEdge confirms no bat involved and Ball Tracking shows three reds, with the ball hitting the middle stump. Sri Lanka are 440/8, leading by 6 runs.

Back of a length and around leg, Milan Rathnayaka looks to flick it away but misses and the ball lobs up off his pads to the off side.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Fuller in length but down the leg side. Milan Rathnayaka just has to get some bat on it and he tickles it away to the fine leg fence for another boundary.

Back of a length and around off, angling away, Milan Rathnayaka tries to punch it away but fails to connect.

FOUR! Put away! Short of a length and on middle. Milan Rathnayaka gets on top of the bounce, rolls his wrists and pulls it away to the deep square leg fence for a boundary. Sri Lanka are into the lead now!

Dug into the surface, on middle, Milan Rathnayaka gets a bit rushed and miscue his swat off the bottom half of the bat down the pitch.

Fuller one and on off, Milan Rathnayaka drives it away to mid off.

The debut just keeps getting better and better for Saqib. Lahiru Kumara is in at number 9.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! An incredible moment for Saqib Khan as he picks up a maiden Test fifer on debut. He goes back to the fuller length, in the channel outside off, angling it away again. Sonal Dinusha gets drawn into the drive this time but goes at it only with his hands and not moving his feet much. Gets a thick outside edge that flies quickly towards second slip, where Salman Agha takes a sharp reverse-cup catch in front of his face. Sri Lanka are 432/7, still trailing by 2 runs.

Lands this on a good length, around off, angling away, Sonal Dinusha leaves it alone.

Overpitched and on off, Milan Rathnayaka drills it to the left of mid off for a single.

Goes back to the fuller length, on off, shapes in a bit. Milan Rathnayaka drives it firmly but straight to short cover.

Just back of a length and on off, Milan Rathnayaka stays back and pats it towards mdi off.

Very full delivery, around off, Milan Rathnayaka reaches out and jams it out towards short cover. The fielder makes a half-stop and parries it to mid off.

Bangs in a bouncer at 133.7 kph, on middle and leg, Sonal Dinusha ducks under it.

Comes 'over the wicket, pitches it up, on off, Sonal Dinusha gets forward and taps it to short cover.

Touch fuller and on middle and leg, Sonal Dinusha flicks it wide of deep square leg for a couple of runs. Sri Lanka trail by 3 runs now!

Good length and on off, Sonal Dinusha gets behind the line of it and blocks it out.

Beaten! Goes fuller and around off, angles in but then shapes away a bit and very late. Sonal Dinusha goes for the big booming drive but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Hard-length, on middle, angling in, Milan Rathnayaka clips it through square leg for a single.

Slants it into the batter on a good length, Sonal Dinusha rocks back and punches it down the ground to mid on.

Short and going down leg, Dinusha ducks under it.

FOUR! Classical shot! A long half-volley, around off, Sonal Dinusha strides across and drives it along the ground to the vast deep cover gap for a boundary. Sri Lanka are just 6 runs adrift!

Wide of off, nipping in and staying low, Dinusha is happy to leave.

Tight line on the stumps, angling in, Dinusha clips the full ball to the right of deep square leg and they hustle back for the second run.

Shapes in from off, on a fuller length, Sonal thrusts it down to mid on.

Deviates into the batter, full in length, Sonal leans forward to defend, but gets an inside edge towards long leg for a single. Sri Lanka trail by 12 runs!

Short of a length, aimed at the bodyline, Sonal Dinusha hops on the toes to ride the bounce. The ball hits the splice of the bat and rolls back to the bowler.

Pulls the length back slightly, on off, Sonal hangs back and keeps it out.

Fuller than a length, around off, Sonal presses in front and blocks it solidly.

Outside of on a length, let through by Sonal.

A three-quarter-length delivery on middle, Milan works it towards square leg and sets off for a quick single, only to be sent back by Sonal. The fielder swoops in and finds the stumps with a direct hit at the batting end, but Milan has made his ground comfortably. The ball deflects off the stumps and rolls away towards mid-wicket, allowing the batters to pinch an overthrow.

Length-delivery, on top of off, Sonal Dinusha rocks back and punches it down.

Back of a length, at the pads, Milan hangs back and steers it to deep backward square leg for an easy single.

Overpitched on off, swinging in, Milan knocks it down to mid on.

Full and angled into the batter, Milan flicks it to square leg.

Slightly back of a length, on middle and leg, Sonal flicks it off the pads between mid on and mid-wicket for a single. Uh-oh! Saqib has overstepped and it's a No Ball.

FOUR! High-quality shot from Dinusha! A bit too full by Saqib, outside off, Sonal leans on and creams it through the cover gap for a boundary. Sri Lanka trail by 17 runs!

Swinging in on off, Sonal Dinusha is rushed on the back foot and chops the length ball to gully.

Nipping back in and around off, on a length, Milan Rathnayaka rocks back and tucks it to short mid-wicket.

Outside off on a good length, well-watched and well left by Milan.

Fuller around off, Milan taps it with soft hands to the point region.

On a length, outside off, nipping in, Milan hangs back and looks to punch it away, but ends up chopping it towards second slip.

On a length, on the pads, flicked off the back foot to deep square leg for a single.

Angling in and nipping away off the pitch, Sonal is tentative at a defensive push and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Pakistan are pumped up as both the centurions are back in the hut. Milan Rathnayaka is in at number 8.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Well, Shakeel would be a relieved man as Saqib removes both the set batters. He produces a near replica of the delivery that removed Dhananjaya de Silva, full and shaping away outside off. Kusal Mendis pushes at it and gets a healthy edge. The ball is dying and dipping on the keeper, but Ghazi Ghori makes no mistake this time, diving forward to scoop it cleanly. Saqib's morning spell is proving decisive for the hosts as he has four wickets to his name now. Sri Lanka are 412/6, trailing by 22 runs.

Outside off on a length, Kusal lets it be.

EDGED AND DROPPED! It is Shakeel once again who is the guilty party. He dropped Dhananjaya de Silva on 38 yesterday and paid the price as the Sri Lankan batter went on to make 167. Now he puts down Kusal Mendis on 119, a huge let-off for Sri Lanka and a bitter moment for Pakistan. Saqib is visibly frustrated, and rightly so. On a good length, just outside off, at 126.5 kph. Mendis pushes at it, playing away from his body and edges it straight to Shakeel at first slip, but he spills a regulation chance in the cordon.

A bit too straight, full on the pads, Mendis flicks it to short mid-wicket.

Shapes away a bit, fullish on off, Mendis fends it with soft hands towards backward point.

Attacks the stumps, full in length, Kusal defends it solidly to mid on.

Nagging length, outside off, left alone.

A huge appeal from Ghazi Ghori for caught behind, but the umpire is unmoved. Abbas is not fully convinced either, and Pakistan decide against the review. The noise, it turns out, is the bat clipping the flap of Sonal Dinusha's front pad. Abbas lands it on a back of a length, nipping away off the seam from around off. Dinusha is squared up and tentatively pushes at the delivery, looking only to block, but the ball beats the outside edge. UltraEdge later shows a flat line, confirming there was no contact with the bat.

Wide! Banged short on top of off, Sonal ducks under it and it is called a wide.

Pitched full on off, Sonal pushes it to mid off.

Beaten! Lovely channel by Abbas. Bowls from a wider angle, full and around the off stump, drawing the batter for a poke. Sonal Dinusha falls to the bait, tries to block but the ball straightens enough to beat his outside edge.

Fuller than a length, outside off, Sonal covers the stumps and opts to leave.

Length ball, on off, nipping in, Dinusha hangs back to block but gets an inside edge to the mid-wicket region.

It's getting darker by the minute in Rawalpindi. Abbas comes from around the stumps.

Full on the fourth stump, Kusal lunges and blocks it right under his eyes.

Swinging away, full and outside off, Mendis pushes at it but gets a fat outside edge. The ball shoots low to the right of the gully fielder, where there is a misfield and it is parried to the deep for a couple of runs.

Length ball, around middle and leg, Dinusha tucks it wide of short mid-wicket for a single.

Nagging length, outside off, Sonal lets it through.

FOUR! Off the edge, and it runs away! A tempter by Saqib, full and across the batter. Sonal Dinusha is drawn forward and looks to play the cover drive, but the ball keeps leaving him and he gets a thick outside edge. But luckily for him, it flies wide of the gully fielder for a boundary. First runs for Sri Lanka on Day 4 and they trail by 26 runs now.

In the corridor of off, on a length, Sonal closely watches it before making a leave.

Shapes away a shy bit, full on off, Kusal presses forward and defends it to the off side. Abbas starts with a maiden over.

Three-quarter length, around off, Kusal Mendis carefully blocks it to covers.

Good areas by Abbas! On a fuller length, in the channel of off, Kusal looks to defend off the front foot, but the ball seams away to beat his outside edge.

Length, outside off, Kusal shoulders arms.

Fuller on the stumps, blocked watchfully.

Nip-backer on a good length, wide of off, Kusal is happy to leave it.

Mohammad Abbas (29-11-64-2) will bowl from the other end.

Full and shaping in a touch, Sonal Dinusha flicks it to short mid-wicket.

A big relief for Pakistan as the memorable 249-run stand is broken. Sonal Dinusha is in at number 7.

OUT! EDGED AND CAUGHT! Saqib Khan finds the breakthrough Pakistan had been crying out for. He angles one across the right-hander, full and inviting just outside off, and Dhananjaya de Silva is drawn into a loose push. The edge carries behind, and Ghazi Ghori flings himself to his right to pull off a superb catch. Saqib has three to his name now, and de Silva's magnificent 167 comes to an end, and Sri Lanka are 404 for 5, still 30 adrift.

Fuller and outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva drives it firmly to mid off.

Full ball, around off, Dhananjaya de Silva leans forward and blocks.

Outside off, on a good length, left alone by de Silva.

Full and outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva strides across and drives it crisply towards the fielder at cover.

In all readiness for Day 4 to get underway in Rawalpindi. It's a very important session from Pakistan's pov and their players disperse from the huddle and walk to the middle to take their fielding positions. The overnight batting duo for Sri Lanka - Dhananjaya de Silva (167) and Kusal Mendis (117) spring out confidently to the crease to resume their partnership, which is worth 249 runs - the second-best fifth-wicket partnership for Sri Lanka in Tests. Saqib Khan will get things underway. He marks out his run-up, though a few droplets of rain are already beginning to fall. Nothing threatening just yet, but enough to make everyone glance nervously at the skies. Off we go...

PITCH REPORT (Marina Iqbal and Bazid Khan) - Marina notes that overcast skies hang over the ground, with rain expected as the day progresses. Highlights that day three belonged entirely to the Sri Lankan batters, who found the right balance, timing and rhythm to score freely on a surface that has remained true throughout the match. Bazid believes the pitch has not deteriorated as much as might have been expected. He says the surface looks a little shabby but continues to play well, with the ball still coming onto the bat nicely. Notes that the footmarks and indentations have appeared where deliveries have pitched, and every few overs a ball can kick up after hitting one of those spots. Otherwise, he says, scoring remains manageable rather than easy, and a batter who gets in can still go on to make a big score. Bazid adds that more deterioration might have been expected had the sun beaten down consistently and widened the cracks. At present, he details, the pitch remains relatively sedate, although those indentations could become more influential if the match reaches a fifth day. Bazid also points to the heavy, humid and overcast conditions as a possible aid to the bowlers. Adds that if the atmosphere helps the ball swing, Pakistan will need to adjust their lengths, bowling fuller to invite the drive and accepting that a few boundaries may be conceded in the search for movement. Marina concludes that wickets are already difficult to come by on this track, so Pakistan’s fielders will need to back their bowlers fully whenever a chance is created.

Get your umbrellas ready, folks - This Test has progressed at a slow burn and appears to be meandering towards a draw unless something extraordinary happens over the final two days. For that, though, the weather must hold. Rain is forecast for much of Thursday in Rawalpindi, with the afternoon particularly under threat. Already plenty of overs have been lost to bad light in the first three days, and even yesterday, only 74.5 overs were bowled out of 97.5 scheduled to make up for the overs lost. And any further loss of time will make a result increasingly unlikely.

Pakistan need early breakthroughs - Pakistan will be looking for a much-improved performance from their bowling attack after managing just one wicket across a lengthy third day. Mohammad Abbas and Saqib Khan had earlier made important inroads, sharing the first four wickets between them, but the inexperienced attack struggled to find a way past the two well-set batters. Abbas has been the standout with figures of 2/64, while Saqib has two wickets to his name as well. Babar Azam will need his bowlers to show patience, maintain their discipline and find a way to separate the pair early. With a first-innings almost impossible, Pakistan cannot afford to let Sri Lanka dictate the proceedings for another session.

Sri Lanka look to take control - It has been a tremendous response from the visitors after being reduced to 114/3 on Day 2. Kamindu Mendis initially steadied the innings with a composed 58 before Dhananjaya de Silva and captain Kusal Mendis took charge with an outstanding unbeaten 249-run partnership. De Silva has been particularly impressive, bringing up his 14th Test hundred and finishing on 167, while Kusal celebrated his elevation to the captaincy with an unbeaten 117. Both will resume with their eyes on big individual scores, but more importantly, Sri Lanka will want to build a meaningful first-innings lead and put their bowlers in a position to dictate terms

Day 4 beckons - Welcome back! We are into the fourth day of this opening Test, and Sri Lanka have staged a remarkable fightback after Pakistan looked firmly in control earlier in the contest. The visitors closed Day 3 at 404/4, just 30 runs behind Pakistan's first-innings total of 434/9 declared, thanks to two magnificent unbeaten centuries. With six wickets still in hand, Sri Lanka will now look to take a substantial lead and put the pressure back on the hosts, who need early breakthroughs to regain control.

... DAY 4, SESSION 1 ...

A historic partnership - The scoring template remained largely unchanged, but the two batters showed even greater urgency, determined to erase the deficit. They have now added 249 runs together, which is Sri Lanka's highest fifth-wicket partnership in Tests against Pakistan. Babar Azam kept rotating his bowlers in search of a breakthrough, but apart from Abbas - who always looked the likeliest to strike - none of the others could sustain pressure from the other end. With the visitors just 30 runs adrift, they are likely to overhaul Pakistan's total within the first hour or so tomorrow. However, dicey weather could complicate matters on Day 4, with rain forecast throughout the day. Anyways, let us hope for the best. The penultimate day begins on Thursday, 12th November and the first ball is scheduled to be bowled at 4.30 am GMT. Cheers!

A befitting response - If the first session belonged to patience and control, the second belonged entirely to Sri Lanka's counterattack. Dhananjaya de Silva brought up his century, while Kusal Mendis made sure no loose delivery went unpunished. The pair eventually cut loose, chipping away at the deficit until it dipped below three figures - and they finished the session unbeaten, on a high. Pakistan, by contrast, looked increasingly rattled and short of answers. Barring Abbas, the attack lacked consistency, and they even failed to produce the breakthroughs they desperately needed with the second new ball.

Dhananjaya de Silva led Sri Lanka's resistance - Sri Lanka blunted Pakistan's pacers in a patient morning session, adding 107 runs for the loss of just Kamindu Mendis on 58. Dhananjaya de Silva, however, beautifully anchored the resistance with a disciplined half-century. Pakistan were left to rue Saud Shakeel's dropped chance when de Silva was on 38, although Mohammad Abbas eventually broke the 90-run stand by dismissing Kamindu. Kusal Mendis then joined de Silva, and the pair calmly stitched together another recovery partnership, negotiating the skidding deliveries and steadily chipping away at the deficit.

11.17 am GMT - Bad light in Rawalpindi - Razaullah stares helplessly at Mendis before turning and walking away. And here we go - Rod Tucker places the light meter on top of the stumps to take a reading. The light has been deemed unsafe for play to continue, and the umpires have called STUMPS on Day 3. A monumental effort from Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva to drag their side out of trouble and put Sri Lanka firmly in control. Both receive appreciations from a few Pakistani players before being warmly embraced by their teammates in the dressing room. Richly deserved, for they have sucked the wind out of Pakistan's sails and left the hosts frustrated.

Game stopped due to : Bad Light

Oh, close! Things are getting spicy between Razaullah and Kusal Mendis. Hits the length hard, just outside off. Kusal Mendis hops and cramps for room to offer his defence. The ball just glides past the outside edge.

Skids through, on a good length, well outside off. Kusal Mendis tries to punch it away, but ends up leaving it.

Good length, wide outside off, Medis makes a leave.

The on-field umpire, Rod Tucker, has the light meter in his hand. The reading will be taking after the completion of this over, it seems.

NO BALL! Razaullah has overstepped here. Hard length, around middle, Dhananjaya de Silva covers the stumps and nudges it to mid-wicket for a single. Sri Lanka trail by 30 runs now!

On a length, around off, Dhananjaya de Silva hops and blocks it.

A touch fuller, on off. Dhananjaya de Silva expects the ball to bounce, but it stays low. He tries to punch it from his back foot toward the off side, but catches the inside edge before it hits the pad.

Nails a yorker, does Razaullah, on middle. Kusal Mendis digs it to mid on and gets a quick single.

Razaullah is back into the attack, replacing Mohammad Abbas. But realistically, with the light deteriorating by the minute, only another 10-15 minutes of play seems likely.

Back of a length, around off, shaping in. Dhananjaya de Silva keeps it out.

On a length, around off, Dhananjaya de Silva dabs it to point.

A yard behind good length, outside off. Dhananjaya de Silva guides it to gully.

Good-length delivery, around off, Dhananjaya de Silva shoulders arms at it.

On a length, Dhananjaya de Silva strides forward and blocks it out.

Uppish, but away from the fielder! Just behind the fuller length, around off. Dhananjaya de Silva presses on his front foot to drive it away, but miscues the shot as his bottom hand comes off the handle and the ball flies wide of cover. Two runs taken and with that, Sri Lanka go past 400!

Drinks Break! It has been smooth sailing for Sri Lanka, with the two batters putting on 244 runs together, and, dare we say, without a single hiccup. The tourists are now just 35 runs behind and will be eyeing an overhaul of Pakistan's total before stumps today. However, with the light fading rapidly in Rawalpindi, it remains to be seen how many more overs can be squeezed in as we still have 25 overs left to be bowled today. Pakistan's attack, meanwhile, has looked increasingly helpless. Once again, it is Abbas who is generating any semblance of pressure, though he is receiving little support from the other end. Saqib Khan is back into the attack, replacing Salman Agha.

Just a shade behind the good length, outside off, Kusal Mendis shoulders arms at it.

Hard length, around off, Mendis blocks it down the deck.

Short, on off, Kusal Mendis keeps it out.

Edged, but it didn't carry! Good-length delivery, pitching on middle, tailing it away. Kusal Mendis tries to defend with soft hands, but gets an outside edge. The ball lobs to Salman Agha at second slip, where he gets low to his left but collects it with a bounce.

Back of a length, pitching just outside off and swings it away from the batter. Mendis makes a leave. There's a bit of late outswing as the ball travels to Ghazi Ghori.

Just a shade behind the good length, outside off, Kusal Mendis steers it to cover.

Short, around off, de Silva pushes it to cover.

A touch fuller, on off, defended by Dhananjaya.

Short, on middle, DDS flicks it to mid-wicket.

FOUR! MAGNIFICENT! A touch fuller, on middle. Dhananjaya de Silva skips down the track and smokes it over the bowler for a boundary.

Short, outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva blocks it away.

Short, outside off, Kusal Mendis pushes it to deep point for one.

Shaping in, on a good length, down the leg side. Dhananjaya de Silva fails to tickle it away.

Slanting down the leg side, Kusal Mendis clips it to deep fine leg.

Good-length delivery, around the pads. Kusal Mendis misses on his flick.

On a length, on off, Kusal Mendis blocks it away.

Beaten! What a beauty! At 121.7 kph, on a three-quarter length and angled in around off. It forces Mendis into playing at it. But the ball lands, seams away sharply, and flies past the outside edge, leaving Mendis beaten all ends up.

Short, on off, Kusal Mendis bunts it down the deck.

The light is now fading rapidly in Rawalpindi as the floodlights are into full effect. We may not be too far away from the pacers being taken off, with the light deteriorating quickly.

A touch fuller, at the stumps. Dhananjaya de Silva blocks it down.

On the fuller side, outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva guides it to the right of the first slip fielder.

Short, outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva makes a leave.

Pitches it up, DDS eases it to cover.

Fuller, on off, defended by DDS.

FOUR! Thumped away! Short of a length, just outside off. Dhananjaya de Silva gets on his back foot and punches it through cover for a boundary.

Short of a length, outside off, Mendis guides it to cover-point.

A touch fuller, on off and middle. Kusal Mendis eases it back to the bowler.

Just outside off, on a good length, Kusal Mendis blocks it to the off side.

On the fuller side, on off, Kusal Mendis nudges it to wide mid on.

Pitches it up, on off, Kusal Mendis leans on it and defends it to cover.

Just a shade behind the good length, just outside off, Kusal Mendis dabs it down the deck.

Mohammad Abbas (26-9-63-2) is back on with a switch of ends. He replaces Razaullah.

FOUR! Swept, and swept exceptionally well! Dropped in front of the sticks by Minhas, on a fuller length, Dhananjaya de Silva picks the length early, gets down on a knee and firmly sweeps it over mid-wicket and picks up another boundary. Sri Lanka now trail by just 45 runs!

Full outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva gets on the front foot and eases it to cover-point.

Looped fuller, on the off stump, Mendis lunges and drives it along the ground for a single to long off.

Full around off, Mendis leans on and defends it to cover.

FOUR! Goes very fine! Drifting into the pads, full in length, Kusal Mendis sinks to a knee to sweep it away but gets a bit of a glove and the ball shoots between Ghazi Ghori's legs before racing to the fence.

Short on middle, Kusal Mendis hangs back and punches it back to Minhas.

Change of gloves for Dhananjaya de Silva. Babar turns back to spin, as Arafat Minhas (20-2-83-0) is back on, replacing Mohammad Abbas.

Just in! Speared into the pads on a three-quarter length, Dhananjaya de Silva is hurried as he attempts to flick it to the leg side. He gets an inside edge, and the ball rolls to the right of deep fine leg. The batters hustle back for the second run, with de Silva forced to dive as the throw comes in to the keeper, who breaks the stumps. But de Silva has made his ground comfortably.

Length-delivery, around off, Dhananjaya de Silva rocks back and blocks it solidly.

On a length, around off. Mendis steers it into the point region and collects a single.

NO BALL AND SIX! Everything is going horribly wrong for Pakistan now. Razaullah puts in an extra effort on this and oversteps. Bangs it short and it keeps rising off the track. Kusal Mendis has to hop on his toes and he ramps it behind deep third, clearing the ropes for a six.

The floodlights are now switched on at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

150 up for Dhananjaya de Silva! The Sri Lankan supporters and his teammates rise to applaud a magnificent batting effort. He acknowledges them with a thumbs-up before getting straight back to business. Good length, angling into the batter. DDS clips this towards the deep mid-wicket region for a single.

Curves away from off, on a length, Mendis hangs back and stabs it through cover-point for an easy single.

Too straight on the pads, Dhananjaya de Silva hangs back and steers it to long leg for  a single.

In-between length, at 123.6 kph, outside the off pole. Mendis lets it through.

At three-quarter length, angled in around the off stump at 121.8 kph. Mendis is forced into a shot. He tries to work it towards the leg side but gets an inside edge onto the pad instead.

Length ball, around off, left alone.

On the stumps on a good length, Kusal Mendis blocks it watchfully.

Beaten! Back of a length, staying low, outside off, Kusal Mendis flashes at it, only to miss.

A big mix-up, but the danger is averted! Marginally short and around off, Dhananjaya de Silva punches it to the right of the cover fielder. He sets off for a single, only for Mendis to send him back from more than halfway as Arafat Minhas swoops and throws to the keeper's end. Fortunately for de Silva, Ghazi Ghori is late in charging onto the stumps, and the ball rolls away to deep fine leg. The batters make the most of it, running a single off the overthrow.

Oh, how did that miss the off stump? A skiddy delivery, on a length, just outside off, Kusal Mendis trusts the bounce and opts to leave. But the ball doesn't rise much and just whistles over the off stump. Razaullah, with a resigned look, can't believe it.

Full and on middle-and-leg, Dhananjaya de Silva attempts to flick it away but fails to connect with the bat. The ball rolls off his front pad towards square leg, and the batters scamper through for a leg bye. A half an appeal for LBW, but not given.

Full on middle and leg, Kusal Mendis flicks it wide of mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! HUNDRED FOR KUSAL MENDIS! He lets out a big roar and what a way to bring it up. A special, special knock from a truly special player. The entire Sri Lankan dressing room rises to its feet in appreciation of an innings of the highest quality. This is Mendis' 11th Test century, his first against Pakistan, and also his first as Test captain. Short of a length and on top of the stumps, Mendis uses the pace brilliantly, leans back and effortlessly ramps it over the keeper's head for four.

Full and shaping away, Dhananjaya de Silva strides across and creams it between mid off and cover for a single.

Length-delivery, too straight down leg, Kusal Mendis hangs back and tickles it behind to the left of the keeper for a single.

Razaullah (20-1-104-0) will share the attack.

Full and straight, on off, Dhananjaya de Silva forces it down to mid on.

Nagging length on leg, stabbed back to the bowler.

FOUR! The 200-run partnership comes up between Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva. What an exceptional stand this has been for the Islanders! Just when they needed it most. Short of a length, outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva pounces on the width and nails the square cut through cover-point for a boundary.

Length ball, outside off, punched off the back foot and to the left of point for a single.

FOUR! Positivity dripping through every shot as Kusal moves to 95! Overpitched by Abbas, on off, Kusal Mendis unleashes a crisp straight drive, hitting it back past the bowler, for a boundary. Gun-barrel straight down the ground.

Back of a length, outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva cracks the square cut to deep point for a single. Sri Lanka trail by 85 runs.

Welcome back for the third and final session of this Moving Day in Rawalpindi. Pakistan are under immense pressure and will be desperate for quick wickets. There are still 35 overs left in the day, and play can go on for thirty extra minutes as well, but with the threat of bad light looming, fitting in all of them looks highly unlikely. The Pakistani players disperse from the huddle and take their fielding spots. Kusal Mendis (90) and Dhananjaya de Silva (141) confidently stroll out to the crease to resume their partnership, which is worth 193 runs. Mohammad Abbas will get the session underway. Here we go...

... Day 3, Final Session ...

De Silva's landmark - Dhananjaya de Silva then brought up his 14th Test century, his fourth against Pakistan in red-ball cricket and continued his exceptional knock. Pakistan's pacers took the new ball and asked some serious questions to the set batters, but the duo answered them all and saw the session through without losing a wicket. With the partnership still alive and the final session ahead, can Pakistan finally find the breakthrough they have been chasing? Stay tuned with us as the evening session will begin around 10.15 am GMT.

9.57 am GMT - TEA ON DAY 3 - Nothing short of a magnificent session for the visitors. They have managed to score 127 runs without losing any wickets in 30 overs in the afternoon session. They currently trail by 86 runs, and they also have six more wickets to get to the lead. Sri Lanka began the post-lunch session just as they wanted, with Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva picking up exactly where they left off before the break. Their partnership grew stronger by the over and swelled to 193, leaving Pakistan frustrated. Along the way, Mendis reached his 24th Test half-century, and he is now just 10 runs short of a century.

FOUR! Not in complete control, but he gets away with it. Short of a good length, nipping away with bounce. Kusal Mendis gets on his toes, delays his shot and flays it over the slip cordon for a boundary. One bounce and into the fence. And that will be Tea on Day 3. Sri Lanka are 348/4, trailing by 86 runs!

Fuller than a length, around off, Mendis drills it to mid off.