Test debutants Tayyab Arif and Mohammad Taha scored half-centuries as Pakistan reached 281 for five in 67.2 overs on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Monday.
Bad light brought a premature end to the day’s play, with Saud Shakeel unbeaten on 57 and wicketkeeper-batter Ghazi Ghori not out on seven.
Pakistan handed Test caps to four players – Tayyab Arif, Mohammad Taha, Arafat Minhas and Saqib Khan with the two debutant batters making immediate impressions in their maiden outings.
After Sri Lanka opted to field first, right-handed opening batter Tayyab provided Pakistan with an aggressive start, smashing 57 off just 51 balls, including nine fours and a six. He added 86 runs for the opening wicket with Azan Awais, who contributed 30 off 50 balls.
Tayyab brought up his maiden Test half-century off just 46 balls before falling to Asitha Fernando.
Left-handed Mohammad Taha displayed composure and determination in his debut innings, scoring 51 off 105 balls, including six boundaries. He brought up his maiden half-century off 101 balls.
Captain Babar Azam also registered a half-century, striking seven fours in his 50 off 58 balls, before being dismissed by Dilshan Madushanka.
Saud Shakeel continued Pakistan’s progress with an unbeaten 57 off 112 balls, featuring seven fours. He shared a valuable partnership with Taha to strengthen the hosts’ position.
For Sri Lanka, Fernando took two wickets.
Scores in brief:
Day 1 of 5
Pakistan 281-5, 67.2 overs (Tayyab Arif 57, Saud Shakeel 57 not out, Mohammad Taha 51, Babar Azam 50; Asitha Fernando 2-64)
