Saud Shakeel was edging towards a century on Tuesday as Pakistan reached lunch at 390-6 on day two of the opening Test against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi.

The 31-year-old left-hander resumed on 57 and added 34 to his score in an extended two-and-a-half hour session to be 91 not out off 192 balls at the break, nine short of his fifth Test hundred.

Pakistan began the day at 281-5 and lost only Ghazi Ghori for 48 with Arafat Minhas 27 not out at the interval.

Saud, who has so far hit nine boundaries, put on 96 with Ghazi for the sixth wicket.

Sri Lanka had hoped for early wickets but on a seemingly hard and green pitch their bowlers struggled despite taking the second new ball after 80 overs.

Dilshan Madushanka finally made the breakthrough when Ghazi edged him to gully where Pasindu Sooriyabandara held a low catch.

Pace bowlers Asitha Fernando with 2-87 and Madushanka (2-97) were the pick of the Sri Lanka attack.

The second and final Test is in Lahore from November 17.