Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test Day 4 Live Cricket Score Updates: Heading into Day 4 of the first Test at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka sit in a commanding position at 404/4, trailing Pakistan’s first-innings total of 434/9 by just 30 runs. Centurions Dhananjaya de Silva (167*) and Kusal Mendis (117*) anchored the visitors’ reply with a towering fifth-wicket stand, leaving Pakistan’s bowling attack desperate for an early morning breakthrough with the second new ball to prevent Sri Lanka from building a match-defining lead and pushing for a result on a surface where bad light has already trimmed overs. ( Live Scorecard )
Both reached centuries, providing the platform from which Sri Lanka moved into the lead. However, just as they looked set to extend their lead beyond Pakistan’s reach, Sri Lanka folded under pressure against the moving ball and overcast skies, with Saqib Khan dismantling the lower order with ease. Back in bit with Pakistan’s second dig with the bat. Stay tuned. On the same surface where they struggled to create even half chances on day three, they have torn into the Sri Lankan batting lineup on day four. At the heart of it all is Saqib Khan, whose spectacular seven-wicket haul has made his Test debut truly memorable. He holds the ball aloft as he walks back to the dressing room, with fast bowling coach Shaun Tait smiling and cheering him on proudly. Pakistan have not only prevented Sri Lanka from running away with a massive lead, but have roared right back into the contest, turning this into a genuine innings shootout. OUT! IN THE AIR…GONE! Razaullah finally gets a wicket and wraps things up. 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.
Heroic efforts from the middle order – Sri Lanka were in trouble at 155/4, with only Lahiru Udara among the top three making a meaningful contribution. Kamindu Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva steadied the innings and restored some control, before Dhananjaya and Kusal Mendis took the game away with a historic 249-run partnership, and dominating the whole of day three. Now, with only a slender 12-run lead, Sri Lanka will need to bowl out of their skins to prevent Pakistan from building a substantial advantage. 5.55 am GMT – What a passage of play this has been for Pakistan. Sri Lanka have been bowled out for 446, taking a lead of 12 runs.
