Pakistan reach 281-5 against Sri Lanka on opening day of Rawalpindi Test

Pakistan ended the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka at 281 for five after a solid batting display at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Monday. Saud Shakeel remained unbeaten on 57, while wicketkeeper-batter Ghazi Ghori was not out on seven as the hosts completed 67.2 overs before play was stopped due to bad light. Pakistan's innings featured three half-centuries, with debutant Tayyab Arif scoring 57 and Mohammad Taha contributing 51. Captain Babar Azam also reached 50, while Azan Awais added 30 runs. Salman Ali Agha was the other dismissed batter, scoring 16 runs. The day's proceedings ended earlier than scheduled because of poor light, leaving Pakistan in a promising position heading into the second day. Earlier, Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis won the toss and elected to bowl, opting for a four-member pace attack. Pakistan skipper Babar Azam said his team intended to rely on its strengths, particularly during the opening session of the match. The opening Test also marked the international debuts of four Pakistani cricketers: Tayyab Arif, Mohammad Taha, Arafat Minhas and Saqib Khan. Playing XIs Pakistan: Azan Awais, Tayyab Arif, Mohammad Taha, Babar Azam (captain), Saud Shakeel , Salman Ali Agha, Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Arafat Minhas, Razaullah, Mohammad Abbas and Saqib Khan. Sri Lanka: Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Lahiru Udara (wicketkeeper), Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sonal Dinusha, Kusal Mendis (captain), Milan Rathnayake, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka.