RAWALPINDI: Half-centuries from debutants Tayyab Arif and Mohammad Taha, along with skipper Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel, helped Pakistan reach 281-5 at stumps on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Monday.
Asked to bat first, Pakistan made a confident start as openers Azan Awais and Tayyab Arif took the attack to the Sri Lankan bowlers with positive strokeplay. The pair punished loose deliveries and found the boundary regularly, putting the visitors under pressure early in the first session.
Their aggressive approach helped Pakistan cross the 50-run mark in the opening stages before the stand was broken in the 16th over. Milan Rathnayake dismissed Azan for 30 off 35 balls, an innings that included seven fours, ending an 86-run opening partnership.
Sri Lanka struck again in the next over when Asitha Fernando removed Tayyab, who made an impressive 57 off 51 balls on debut. His innings featured nine fours and a six and came at a strike rate of 111.76.
After the two quick wickets, captain Babar Azam joined fellow debutant Mohammad Taha at the crease. The two rebuilt the innings while maintaining the scoring rate, taking Pakistan past 100 in the 21st over.
Pakistan went to lunch at 137-2 in 30 overs, with Babar unbeaten on 31 off 39 balls, including four boundaries, and Taha batting on 15 off 42 deliveries.
Babar and Taha added 69 runs for the third wicket and took Pakistan beyond 150 before Dilshan Madushanka removed the Pakistan captain shortly after he completed his 35th Test half-century. Babar scored 50 off 58 balls, hitting seven fours, as Pakistan slipped to 159-3.
Saud Shakeel then joined Taha, and the pair steadied the innings with another important partnership, guiding Pakistan past the 200-run mark in the 49th over.
Taha continued his assured progress and brought up his maiden Test half-century on debut. However, Sonal Dinusha ended the 68-run fourth-wicket partnership in the 56th over, dismissing Taha for 51 off 105 balls, with six boundaries.
Shakeel was then joined by Salman Ali Agha, and the pair carried Pakistan beyond 250 before Fernando claimed his second wicket by removing Agha for 16 off 22 deliveries.
Shakeel remained composed and completed his 12th Test half-century as Pakistan strengthened their position. Bad light brought an early end to the day’s play, with Shakeel unbeaten on 57 off 112 balls, including seven fours, while Ghazi Ghori was not out on seven off 10 deliveries.
