Two Test matches share the cricket calendar this week. One reaches its final day in Rawalpindi, while another begins in Sharjah. This guide explains how to track each match day by day, what the scores so far mean, and where to check schedules and scorecards. Sky Exchange brings both matches together in one place.

Test cricket rewards patience, and following two matches at once rewards a simple routine. Check the score at the start of each session, look at the partnerships and the bowling figures, and note the state of the match. Official Sky Exchange pages follow the same routine, starting with the score.

Two Tests, One Busy Weekend

The week brings together two very different stages of a Test match. In Rawalpindi, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are deep into the first Test of their series, scheduled to run from 9 to 13 November 2026. In Sharjah, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe begin their second Test on Friday, 13 November, running until 17 November.

That overlap is what makes this weekend interesting. One match may be heading toward a finish while the other is only just beginning, and the two matches will move at different speeds through the day. Skyexchange in India pages list both fixtures side by side.

Rawalpindi: What the First Test Has Shown So Far

Pakistan reached stumps on Day 1 in Rawalpindi at 281 for 5. Babar Azam made 50 and Mohammad Taha made 51, and those two innings gave the home side a solid base after five wickets had fallen. A first-day total of 281 for 5 leaves the match open, with the lower order still to come.

Day 2 was in progress, with Pakistan on 317 for 5. Saud Shakeel was 71 not out and Ghazi Ghori was 29 not out, and the pair had added to the overnight total without losing a wicket. Their partnership is the key thread, because a long stand can turn a good first innings into a commanding one.

For fans following along, the lesson of the first two days is simple. Watch the partnerships as much as the total, because a Test innings is built in stands between pairs of batters. SkyexchangePlus shows the partnership column alongside the scorecard, so fans can see which pair is holding the innings together.

Day 5 in Rawalpindi: A Conditional Final Day

The Rawalpindi Test is scheduled to run until Friday, 13 November 2026, which is Day 5 of the match. Play on Day 5 starts at 10:00 AM IST, which is 9:30 AM PKT. But a fifth day happens only if the match reaches it.

If the match does reach Day 5, the morning session will set the tone. A side batting last will be counting down the overs, while the fielding side will be hunting for the wickets that settle the match. Sky Exchange match pages show the score, the overs remaining, and the state of play together.

How to Follow a Test Match Day by Day

The simplest way to follow a Test is to check in at the same points each day. Look at the score at lunch, at tea, and at stumps, and note how many wickets have fallen between each check. Those three checks give a clear picture of how the day went, even if you cannot follow every ball.

• Check the score at lunch, tea, and stumps each day
• Note the partnerships, not just the total on the board
• Watch how many wickets fall in each session
• Read the bowling figures to see who is doing the damage

This routine works just as well for a match in its first innings as for one on its final day. The numbers change, but the habit stays the same, and a fan who checks at the same points each day will rarely be surprised by how a match has moved.

Sharjah: A Drawn First Test and a Level Series

The first Test between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe in Sharjah ended in a draw, and the series stands at 0-0. Zimbabwe made 504 in their first innings and 523 for 5 in their second, while Afghanistan made 514 in their only innings. Those large totals show a match in which batters held the upper hand.

Craig Ervine made 206 not out for Zimbabwe, and Wessly Madhevere made 100 not out, as the second innings built a total Afghanistan could not chase down in the time left. Brendan Taylor was named Player of the Match for his 131 and 82, two innings that shaped the match from the early days.

A drawn Test is not an empty result. It tells fans that the pitch in Sharjah favours batters who are willing to stay at the crease, and that bowlers will need patience and discipline to take twenty wickets. Official Sky Exchange pages carry the first Test scorecard alongside the second Test fixture.

What the Sharjah Draw Tells Fans

The draw also means the series is still open. Neither side has taken a lead, so the second Test carries the full weight of the series. A win in Sharjah would settle the series, while another draw would leave it level. Skyexchange in India pages show the series score next to the fixture.

Day 1 and Day 2 in Sharjah: What to Watch

The second Test in Sharjah begins on Friday, 13 November, with Day 2 following on Saturday, 14 November. The start time for the match has not been settled in the information available, so fans should check the schedule on the day rather than assuming a fixed hour.

Day 1 of a new Test is always about first impressions. The toss will decide who bats first, and the opening session will show whether the pitch behaves as it did in the first Test. Sky Exchange ID  pages follow the toss and the close of play together, so fans can track the match from its first ball.

Following Two Tests at Once

Start with the match that is further along, because it is the one most likely to change quickly. Then check the newer match for the toss, the opening score, and the state of the first innings. Alternate between the two at each session break, and you will keep a clear picture of both.

• Check the further-advanced match first at each session break
• Note the toss and opening score of the newer match
• Compare wickets lost, not just runs scored, across both games
• Use one page for each match so the scores never get mixed up

A fan who follows both matches this way will notice the contrasts. Rawalpindi may be heading toward a finish while Sharjah is only finding its shape, and that contrast is part of the pleasure of a busy Test weekend. SkyexchangePlus keeps both scorecards in one place, so switching between matches takes a moment.

Reading a Scorecard Without the Noise

A scorecard looks crowded at first, but only a few numbers matter most. The total and the wickets lost tell you where the innings stands. The partnership column tells you who is building it, and the bowling figures tell you who is taking wickets and at what cost.

Sessions, Breaks, and the Rhythm of a Test Day

A Test day is divided into three sessions, separated by lunch and tea. Each session lasts about two hours, and the breaks give fans a natural moment to catch up. The first session sets the tone, the second often decides the day, and the third can swing the match late.

Venue Notes: Rawalpindi and Sharjah

Sharjah is one of the most familiar venues in world cricket, known for its long history of matches and its flat, batter-friendly pitches. The first Test of this series underlined that reputation, with large totals on both sides and two unbeaten centuries in the second innings.

Knowing the venue helps fans read the score. A total of 300 means something different on a flat Sharjah pitch than on a livelier Rawalpindi surface, and the same scorecard can tell a different story depending on where the match is played. Official Sky Exchange venue pages bring the ground, the fixture, and the score together.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Day 5 of the Rawalpindi Test?

Day 5 in Rawalpindi is scheduled for Friday, 13 November 2026, with play starting at 10:00 AM IST, which is 9:30 AM PKT. The fifth day happens only if the match reaches it, so check the state of play at the end of Day 4 first. Skyexchange in India pages show the schedule and the live score together once play begins.

When does the second Test in Sharjah begin?

The second Test between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe in Sharjah begins on Friday, 13 November 2026, with Day 2 following on Saturday, 14 November, and the match scheduled to run until 17 November. The start time has not been settled, so fans should check the schedule on the day. The first Test was drawn, with the series level at 0-0.

How can I follow both Tests in one place?

You can follow live scores, schedules, scorecards, and team pages for both the Rawalpindi and Sharjah Tests on Sky Exchange, with each match page updated through the day. SkyexchangePlus shows the scorecard, the partnerships, and the bowling figures together, and Official Sky Exchange coverage follows the toss, the sessions, and the close of play for each match.