RS Berkane had the first chance of the match when Oussama Lamlaoui blasted over the bar after rounding El-Shenawy just two minutes into the game.
Pyramids FC coach Krunoslav Jurčić fielded his regular starting XI, with the exception of newly-signed Palestinian midfielder Hamed Hemdan.
Ahmed Atef had Pyramids' first chance in the 15th minute, but his shot drifted wide.
Ayoub Khairy tested El-Shenawy with a powerful strike from outside the box in the 30th minute, but the Pyramids goalkeeper made a spectacular save two minutes later to keep the scores level.
Fiston Mayele's effort from a right-wing cross before halftime was comfortably saved by the Berkane keeper.
After halftime, the Cairo-based side showed more initiative, with Mahmoud Zalaka coming close when his run past the defense and around the goalkeeper ended with the ball running too far ahead for him to score.
Berkane substitute Zinedine Machach hit the post with a strike from distance after the hour mark, and the hosts nearly snatched a late winner when a thunderous shot crashed against El-Shenawy's left post in the 88th minute.
Newly-signed from Zamalek Nasser Maher made his Pyramids FC debut in the 76th minute, coming on as a substitute.
The draw leaves both teams at the top of Group A with seven points each, with Rivers United and Power Dynamos trailing with just one point each.
Pyramids will host Berkane in the return leg on Friday.
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