Four Fifties Power Pakistan to 281-5 on Opening DaySports

Tayyab, playing his first Test, was the star of the morning session. The 20-year-old reached his maiden Test half-century off just 46 balls and went on to score 57 off 51 deliveries, striking nine fours and a six. His opening partner Awais made 30 off 35 balls before Milan Rathnayake broke the stand, and Asitha Fernando removed Tayyab in the very next over.

Captain Babar Azam then joined fellow debutant Mohammad Taha at the crease, and the pair steadied the innings. Pakistan went to lunch at 137 for two, with Babar unbeaten on 31 and Taha on 15. The two added a valuable partnership that carried Pakistan past the 150-run mark before Babar brought up his 35th Test half-century. He was dismissed soon after for 50 off 58 balls, with seven boundaries, by Dilshan Madushanka.

Taha continued to bat with patience and brought up his own maiden Test fifty on debut, scoring 51 off 105 balls with six boundaries. He shared a 68-run stand with Saud Shakeel before Sonal Dinusha claimed his maiden Test wicket to dismiss him, leaving Pakistan at 227 for four.

Shakeel then took charge, bringing up his 12th Test half-century and guiding Pakistan past the 250-run mark with Salman Ali Agha, who made 16. Asitha Fernando struck again to remove Agha, but Shakeel remained unbeaten on 57 at the close, with wicketkeeper Ghazi Ghori not out on seven.

Bad light brought an early end to the opening day’s play, with Pakistan well placed at 281 for five. The home side handed Test caps to four players for the match, Tayyab Arif, Mohammad Taha, Arafat Minhas and Saqib Khan, and the debutants repaid the faith with a bold, attacking display. Sri Lankan captain Kusal Mendis had said at the toss that his side had included four fast bowlers in the playing eleven, but the Pakistan batters handled the new ball with confidence throughout the day.