Pakistan reached 281-5 on day one of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi on Monday, with Babar Azam and two debutants among four batters to score half-centuries. Sri Lanka’s decision to bowl first on what appeared to be a green pitch backfired.
Opener Tayyab Arif scored an impressive 57, while Mohammad Taha compiled a patient 51, both in their first Test. Azam made 50. Saud Shakeel remained unbeaten on 57 when bad light stopped play 15 minutes before schedule, with Ghazi Ghori on seven not out.
Sri Lanka’s bowling plan under scrutiny
Sri Lanka chose to field a pace quartet without a frontline spinner, a decision that could prove costly on a surface that offered little to the fast bowlers. Asitha Fernando was the pick of the bowlers with 2-64.
Azam looked in good touch but again fell short of an elusive century. Dilshan Madushanka dismissed him after the lunch break. The Pakistan captain struck seven fours in his 58-ball innings. He has now gone 41 innings without a Test century, his last coming against New Zealand in Karachi in December 2022.
Salman Agha made 16 before offering a catch to Sri Lankan wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis, his fourth catch of the innings.
Arif and Awais build a platform
Arif put together a confident 86-run opening stand with Azan Awais, who made 30, as Sri Lanka’s pace bowlers struggled to make inroads. The 20-year-old, who is playing his maiden first-class season, hit nine boundaries and a six in his 51-ball knock.
Sri Lanka had to wait until the 16th over for a breakthrough. Milan Rathnayake had Awais caught behind by Mendis. Fernando then found an edge off Arif’s bat, and Mendis took the catch to make it 90-2.
Arif said Pakistan had performed well in the conditions. “We have played good and positive cricket considering the conditions,” said Arif. “I have played a lot with some of these players so I was supported well and I am happy on scoring a half century.”
Sri Lankan bowling coach Ryan van Niekerk admitted he was not fully satisfied. “Probably not satisfied as bowling first and with the seamers we have we should have taken a couple of more wickets,” said Niekerk. “But bowlers pulling it back in the last session was good.”
Debutants and squads
Allrounder Arafat Minhas and pace bowler Saqib Khan are also making their Test debuts for Pakistan. The second and final Test takes place in Lahore from November 17.
Pakistan: Babar Azam (captain), Azan Awais, Tayyab Arif, Mohammed Taha, Saud Shakeel, Salman Agha, Ghazi Ghori, Arafat Minhas, Razaullah, Mohammad Abbas, Saqib Khan
Sri Lanka: Kusal Mendis (captain), Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sonal Dinusha, Milan Rathnayake, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka