Rawalpindi: Pakistan reached 137 for two at lunch on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Monday, with debutant Tayyab Arif scoring a half century to give the hosts an early advantage. Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis won the toss and chose to field, but Pakistan's opening pair, Azan Awais and Tayyab Arif, put the bowlers under pressure from the start.
The hosts reached 50 inside nine overs and added 86 runs for the first wicket before Sri Lanka made their breakthrough. Arif scored 57 from 51 deliveries, hitting nine fours and a six. His innings ended when wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis caught him off Asitha Fernando.
Awais contributed 30 from 50 balls, including seven boundaries, before being dismissed by Milan Rathnayaka, with Mendis taking another catch behind the stumps. Following the dismissals, captain Babar Azam and debutant Mohammad Taha continued the innings without further loss before the interval.
Babar remained unbeaten on 31 from 39 balls, including four boundaries, while Taha was not out on 15 from 42 deliveries. Pakistan scored at 4.56 runs per over during the opening session, including 39 runs in the final 10 overs before lunch.
Sri Lanka's bowling performance
Rathnayaka returned figures of one wicket for 18 runs from eight overs, making him Sri Lanka's most economical bowler during the session. Fernando claimed the other wicket but conceded 43 runs. Sri Lanka also used Dilshan Madushanka and Lahiru Kumara, who remained wicketless during their respective spells.
Despite taking two wickets, the visitors were unable to prevent Pakistan from establishing a platform for the remainder of the day's play. The second session will test whether Pakistan can convert their start into a substantial first innings total or whether Sri Lanka can regain control through further wickets.
Four players make Test debuts
Pakistan handed Test debuts to Tayyab Arif, Mohammad Taha, Arafat Minhas and fast bowler Saqib Khan, introducing four players into the side for the opening match.
The selections provide opportunities for players entering Test cricket as Pakistan assess their options across batting and bowling departments. Speaking about his journey to international cricket, Saqib said he initially played table tennis before taking up cricket at his father's encouragement.
He credited his family, particularly his father and elder brother Bilal Naeem, for supporting his development. Arif also described his family's involvement in cricket as an influence on his career.
He began playing hardball cricket at the age of 12 and later joined Jaguars Cricket Club, where he worked with coach Faisal Naveed before progressing through the age group system. His half century on debut gave Pakistan an early contribution from one of their new selections.
With Babar and Taha at the crease, Pakistan will look to build on their opening-session total, while Sri Lanka will seek wickets to limit the hosts' first innings.
Pakistan: Azan Awais, Tayyab Arif, Mohammad Taha, Babar Azam (captain), Saud Shakeel, Salman Agha, Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Arafat Minhas, Razaullah, Mohammad Abbas, Saqib Khan.
Sri Lanka: Kusal Mendis (captain), Lahiru Udara (wicketkeeper), Passindu Sooriyabandara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sonal Dinusha, Milan Rathnayaka, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka.
