Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test at Rawalpindi, SL in PAK, Dec 11 2019 - Ball by Ball Commentary

4:45pm And that is that. It is perhaps telling that this note comes 30 minutes before the scheduled end of play. That has been the big story through this match, but like all the players we've heard from in the last few minutes, we can all be very grateful. The conditions gave us one full day and it has produced good cricket. A little bit of an anti-climax considering the circumstances of the match but we'll head to Karachi with both teams needing to win to clinch the series. That should be tasty. Thanks for sticking with us through it all. On behalf of Debayan, Thilak, and Chandan, this is Varun saying goodbye. See you soon.

Azhar Ali: We're all very happy today. The sun came out. Everybody tried to apply themselves. Special congratulations to Abid. I was feeling quite confident - the last few test matches I've looked good and got out. The good thing is I spent time in the middle. I'll try and build on that in the next Test match. [Fast bowlers] have shown their skill. Need to get consistent and have control, but the good thing is they're capable of picking up wickets. But they need to hold it together for a long period of time. It takes not just good balls but good sessions to get teams out. [Playing at home] it's a totally different experience. I want to thank the crowd. Everyone knew there wouldn't be a result but they all came out. As bowlers and batsmen we've not had this kind of support for 9-10 years.

Dimuth Karunaratne: We came two days before the Test and we've done a really good job. Washed out for a couple of days but Dhananjaya's effort, Oshada's knock and the two fast bowlers on this pitch did well. Those were our positives. Kasun was injured and that's why he bolwed only six overs. We need to see the positives and move on. We'll see how it goes in Karachi. Hopefully it won't rain and we get five days of cricket. First of all I want to thank all the Pakistan fans. They supported us as well. In other countries you won't get support like this. We went out last evening, and everyone was really humble with us. We love the Pakistan fans and hope we get the support in Karachi as well.

Abid Ali is the Man of the Match.

"I was not relaxed for sure! But we were enjoying ourselves and waitin for cricket (over the four days). My plan was to see off the new ball. That was the target. Gradually built the innings with plans for every five overs. So I kept trying to keep that up. In my 90s Babar gave me confidence."

Ali Hasni: "Why hardworking man are always down to earth? Abid Ali proves that patience, focus & dedication gives you the due rewards you deserve, Great Lesson for Youngster, fortunately we have fawad alam in the line also"

Zia: "End result doesn't matter. Make Babar play whole day we will watch. Absolute gem"

Waqarumer: "Babar Azam.. Best thing ever happened to Pakistani cricket for sure"

Dr. Faizy: "Feels so good when you tell your friends that Babar Azam was the player I was following since he was in under 16 and under 19 team. A legend now!"

Zubair Islam: "For me man of the match is De Silva for his 100....it was difficult conds he batted in...Babar n Abid had sunny weather to handle"

Abid Ali: "What can I say? I just want to thank god, I can't thank god enough. [In the 90s] There was a little tension, but I give credit to Babar who kept telling me that my time will come. Can't thank him enough. And the team, the coaching staff and the crowd. They gave me a lot of confidence. To do it at a home venue and in the first match after ten years is great. I am grateful to everyone, I dedicate it to my daughter, my family. I thank everyone -friends, family, the media, everyone."

Abid Ali is clearly still overwhelmed if he's thanking the media. A sweet interview by the boundary line. He has had a fantastic start to his career.

4:23pm, Stumps, Day 5 And it looks like stumps. The light has done it. Handshakes abound. What a shimmering, exciting finish to the Test. A full house getting to witness two big feats - a historic ton that made Abid Ali the only man to ever do get three figures on debut in both Tests and ODIs. And then, the Babar Azam show. If you could pick one exhibition, one ceremony to mark the return of cricket in Pakistan, you would have gone with a Babar Azam century. And their biggest star of the generation has given them just that. They've roused the crowd, these two. After four days of gloom, it was a sweet, sweet finish to the match. Credit also to Sri Lanka who opened another dimension to the game with their declaration this morning. A century for Dhananjaya De Silva that literally took five days to complete. Another defining performance in this match where the most consistent performer has been rain, closely followed by bad light. All in all, a happy finish for most. The teams get 20 points each for the draw. Those are also Pakistan's first points in the WTC.

4:20pm Thanks Debayan. For those who are confused - the captains can call off the game at the point there's one hour left or 15 overs left - whichever comes LATER. In this case that'll be the 15-over mark. If bad light doesn't come first. It's gotten very golden out there. In many ways.

Here's Varun for one final time in this Test. See you guys in Karachi!

Azhar: "Cricinfo says 23 overs remaining. Commentator say last over of the match ??" --- They have to play till the last hour of play, or the 15 mandatory overs. That's about half-an-hour or so away, I reckon

Rehan : "Crazy BABAR fan here... have seen enough of his lusty cover drives.. now wants to see him BAT through the whole day in a TEST match...thats what Transform a Good player into a LEGEND."

Mushtaq: "Bad 90s on the Babar" --- Not a 90s kid, apparently. Has two dismissals therein

Ali Hasni: "How i wish Pak would have played this fearless cricket in Australia, this inning cannot hide the scars we have got in those 2 test in Australia"