Debutant Tayyab Arif smashed a fast fifty as Pakistan made a bright start on day one of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi on Monday.
Pakistan reached 137 for two at lunch. Captain Babar Azam then added a fifty of his own after the break before falling for 50, with Pakistan on 199 for three.
Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bowl first at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Pakistan’s new opening pair answered with quick runs from the very start.
Fifties for Tayyab Arif, Babar Azam
Tayyab, 20 years old and playing his first Test, attacked from the first over. He reached his fifty off 46 balls and finished with 57 off 51 balls, hitting nine fours and one six.
His opening partner Azan Awais, also on debut, gave him strong support. Awais made 30 off 50 balls with seven fours. The two young openers added 86 runs in 16 overs and took Pakistan past 50 inside nine overs.
Sri Lanka finally broke through at the drinks break. Milan Rathnayaka had Awais caught behind by wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis. In the next over, Asitha Fernando removed Tayyab the same way, with Mendis taking the catch again.
Babar then joined another debutant, Mohammad Taha, at the crease. The pair steadied the innings and added 47 runs without loss before lunch. Babar was unbeaten on 31 off 39 balls, while Taha was on 15 off 42 balls. Pakistan passed 100 in the 21st over and scored at 4.56 runs per over in the first session.
After lunch, Babar reached his fifty off 58 balls. But he could not turn it into a big score. Dilshan Madushanka had him caught behind by Mendis for 50, leaving Pakistan on 159 for three. Taha, unbeaten on 37, and Saud Shakeel, on 18, then carried Pakistan to 199 for three.
Pakistan handed Test debuts to four players in this match: Tayyab Arif, Mohammad Taha, Arafat Minhas and Saqib Khan. For fast bowler Saqib, the debut was the end of a long road. He started out playing table tennis before his father asked him to try cricket.
“I used to play table tennis and sometimes hardball as well. One day, my father asked me to play cricket,” Saqib said.
Tayyab said cricket ran in his family. “There was a lot of craze for cricket at home. My family, my cousins and especially my father were very fond of cricket. So I started playing cricket from home,” he said.
Why Strong Start Matters
This is a new-look Pakistan side, and a good start on day one matters a lot for them. Pakistan sit last in the World Test Championship table after a 3-0 whitewash in England. Seven players were sent home after that series, and the team management made big changes.
Babar leads a young side in this two-match series. Before the match, he said selection was not his job. The pressure is on the captain and his young players to show that the rebuild is working.
Babar also has a personal wait to end. He has now gone 40 Test innings without a hundred, and his fifty here was a step in the right direction, even though he fell soon after reaching it.
Sri Lanka, seventh in the championship table, will feel they fought back well. They took two quick wickets in the first session and then removed Babar after lunch. But Pakistan’s fast scoring rate means the home side still holds the edge after day one.
The second Test of the series will be played at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore from 17 to 21 November.
Day 1 Scorecard
| Figure | Detail |
|---|---|
| Pakistan at lunch | 137 for 2 (30 overs) |
| Latest score | 199 for 3 (48 overs) |
| Tayyab Arif | 57 off 51 balls (9 fours, 1 six) |
| Babar Azam | 50 off 58 balls (7 fours) |
| Azan Awais | 30 off 50 balls (7 fours) |
| Opening stand | 86 runs in 16 overs |
| Mohammad Taha | 37 not out |
| Saud Shakeel | 18 not out |
| Toss | Sri Lanka won, chose to bowl |
| Venue | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium |
| Series | 1st Test, 9–13 Nov; 2nd Test Lahore, 17–21 Nov |
FAQs
What is Pakistan’s score on day one of the first Test?
Pakistan reached 137 for two at lunch, then moved to 199 for three in the second session after Babar Azam fell for 50.
Who scored fifties for Pakistan on day one?
Debutant Tayyab Arif made 57 off 51 balls, and captain Babar Azam made 50 off 58 balls.
When and where is the second Test?
The second Test will be played at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore from 17 to 21 November.
