Ghazi Ghori: Pakistan Keeper Falls 2 Short of Test Fifty

Ghazi Ghori is the name every Pakistan cricket fan is searching right now. The wicketkeeper-batter played a gritty 48 off 72 balls in the PAK vs SL 1st Test in Rawalpindi and helped Pakistan reach a big first-innings total. Then, just two runs short of his first Test fifty, a stunning diving catch at gully sent him back.

Here is the full story of Ghori’s knock, the catch everyone is talking about, and where the Rawalpindi Test stands as Day 3 gets under way.

PAK vs SL 1st Test: Quick Scorecard

Team	Score	Top Performers
Pakistan 1st innings	434/9 declared (106.3 overs)	Saud Shakeel 93, Tayyab Arif 57, Arafat Minhas 52, Mohammad Taha 51, Babar Azam 50, Ghazi Ghori 48
Sri Lanka 1st innings	114/3 at stumps, Day 2 (27.1 overs)	Lahiru Udara 42, Kamindu Mendis 40, Dhananjaya de Silva 22

Status after Day 2: Sri Lanka trail by 320 runs with seven wickets in hand. Best bowling: Asitha Fernando 3-107 and Dilshan Madushanka 3-108 for Sri Lanka; Saqib Khan 2-54 for Pakistan. Follow the live scorecard on ESPNcricinfo.

Ghazi Ghori’s 48: The Knock That Steadied Pakistan

Ghori walked in at number seven with Pakistan on 253 for 5. Salman Agha had just fallen, and Sri Lanka’s four-man pace attack sensed a chance to break through.

Instead, Ghori settled in alongside Saud Shakeel. The pair added 96 runs for the sixth wicket and took Pakistan past 340. Ghori looked comfortable at the crease, scoring 48 off 72 balls with two fours.

That partnership changed the shape of the innings. It turned a decent total into a commanding one and allowed Pakistan to declare at 434 for 9.

The Catch That Ended Ghazi Ghori’s Innings

With his first Test fifty in sight, Ghori edged Dilshan Madushanka towards gully in the 89th over. Pasindu Sooriyabandara threw himself to his right and held on to a brilliant diving catch. Pakistan were 349 for 6 when Ghori fell.

The catch went viral almost instantly, and that is a big reason “Ghazi Ghori” is trending across Pakistan. Fans felt for the keeper, who did everything right except reach that milestone.

Saud Shakeel’s 93 Leads a Team Effort

Ghori’s partner, Saud Shakeel, was the anchor of the innings. He batted 199 balls for 93 before nicking an attempted hook down the leg side on Day 2. It was a classic Shakeel innings: patient, calm and built for Test cricket.

Pakistan had six batters reach 48 or more, which shows how deep the batting went:

Saud Shakeel: 93 off 199
Tayyab Arif: 57 off 51 on debut
Arafat Minhas: 52 off 72 on debut
Mohammad Taha: 51 off 105 on debut
Babar Azam: 50 off 58
Ghazi Ghori: 48 off 72

Four Debutants in a New-Look Pakistan Side

Pakistan fielded a new-look XI for the second Test in a row, handing debuts to four players:

Tayyab Arif: batter, who hit a quick 57 at the top.
Mohammad Taha: batter, who ground out 51.
Arafat Minhas: spin-bowling allrounder, who smashed 52. Fans will remember his 31-ball 61 in the tri-series final against Sri Lanka.
Saqib Khan: fast bowler, who took two wickets, including Dinesh Chandimal for his first Test wicket.

Three of the four debutants scored fifties, a dream start for a team rebuilding under captain Babar Azam.

Sri Lanka Fight Back Late on Day 2

Pakistan’s seamers removed Sri Lanka’s top three to leave the visitors in trouble. Kamindu Mendis (40 not out) and Dhananjaya de Silva (22 not out) then added 49 off 62 balls in the final hour before bad light ended play early at 4:20 PM.

Sri Lanka, led in Tests by Kusal Mendis for the first time, still need 121 more runs just to avoid the follow-on.

Why This Test Matters

Pakistan sit at the bottom of the World Test Championship table, while Sri Lanka are seventh. A win in Rawalpindi would be a big boost for a young side, and performances like Ghori’s give selectors confidence in the new faces.

The recent white-ball results also help the mood. Pakistan beat Sri Lanka in the tri-series final, and Farhan’s 89 set up a T20 win against them last month. Fast bowler Naseem Shah, who missed this Test, is covered in our Naseem Shah comeback update.

What’s Next for Ghazi Ghori?

Ghori has shown he can handle Test pressure with the bat. If Pakistan bat again in Rawalpindi, he gets another chance at that first fifty. Behind the stumps, he will also be key on Day 3 as Pakistan chase seven more wickets. Stay with Neemopani for updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many runs did Ghazi Ghori score against Sri Lanka?

Ghazi Ghori scored 48 off 72 balls, with two fours, in Pakistan’s first innings of the 1st Test in Rawalpindi.

Who took the catch to dismiss Ghazi Ghori?

Pasindu Sooriyabandara took a diving catch at gully off Dilshan Madushanka’s bowling.

What is the score in the PAK vs SL 1st Test?

After Day 2, Pakistan made 434/9 declared and Sri Lanka were 114/3, trailing by 320 runs.

Who made their debut for Pakistan in the 1st Test?

Tayyab Arif, Mohammad Taha, Arafat Minhas and Saqib Khan.

Who is Pakistan’s captain in the Sri Lanka Test series?

Babar Azam is captaining Pakistan in the series.

Final Word

Ghazi Ghori did not get the fifty, but he got the nation’s attention. His 96-run stand with Saud Shakeel helped put Pakistan in charge of the Rawalpindi Test. Who impressed you most so far: Ghori, Shakeel or the debutants? Tell us in the comments.

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