Rawalpindi, November 9,2026: Four Pakistani batters scored half-centuries, including captain Babar Azam and two debutants, as Pakistan reached 281-5 on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Monday.
Saud Shakeel remained unbeaten on 57, while Ghazi Ghori was batting on seven when bad light brought an early end to the day’s play, 15 minutes ahead of schedule.
Opening batter Tayyab Arif impressed on his Test debut with 57, while fellow debutant Mohammad Taha scored a patient 51. Babar Azam also contributed 50, but once again missed the opportunity to end his prolonged wait for a Test century.
Sri Lanka’s decision to bowl first on what appeared to be a green pitch failed to produce the expected results, as Pakistan’s batters negotiated the pace attack confidently.
Asitha Fernando was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers, claiming two wickets for 64 runs.
Pakistan made a positive start through an 86-run opening partnership between Arif and Azan Awais, who scored 30.
The 20-year-old Arif, playing his maiden first-class season, struck nine boundaries and a six during his impressive 51-ball innings.
Sri Lanka had to wait until the 16th over for their first breakthrough when Milan Rathnayaka had Awais caught behind by wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis.
Fernando then dismissed Arif, finding an edge that was safely collected by Mendis, leaving Pakistan at 90-2.
Babar Azam looked in good touch but departed shortly after the lunch interval for 50 off 58 deliveries, including seven boundaries, when Dilshan Madushanka claimed his wicket.
The Pakistan captain has now gone 41 Test innings without scoring a century. His last Test hundred came against New Zealand in Karachi in December 2022.
Salman Ali Agha added 16 before becoming Mendis’s fourth catch of the innings.
Mohammad Taha marked his Test debut with a composed half-century, scoring 51 to strengthen Pakistan’s position.
All-rounder Arafat Minhas and fast bowler Saqib Khan are also making their Test debuts for Pakistan in the opening match of the two-Test series.
Arif said Pakistan had played positive cricket according to the conditions and praised the support he received from his teammates.
“We have played good and positive cricket considering the conditions,” he said.
He added that having played extensively with several members of the team had helped him settle in, expressing satisfaction over scoring a half-century on his debut.
Sri Lanka’s bowling coach Ryan van Niekerk admitted that his team had expected a better performance from its pace attack after winning the toss and electing to field.
“Probably not satisfied as bowling first and with the seamers we have we should have taken a couple of more wickets,” he said.
However, he added that the bowlers had managed to pull things back during the final session.
Sri Lanka opted for a four-man pace attack without a frontline specialist spinner, a decision that could become significant as the match progresses.
The second and final Test of the series will be played in Lahore from November 17.
