Pakistan reached 281-5 at stumps on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Monday, with half-centuries from debutants Tayyab Arif and Mohammad Taha, captain Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel.
Tayyab top-scored with 57 off 51 balls, while Taha made 51 off 105 deliveries. Babar contributed 50 off 58 balls, and Shakeel remained unbeaten on 57 off 112 deliveries.
Pakistan lost opener Azan Awais for 30 after an 86-run opening stand. Sri Lanka’s Asitha Fernando claimed two wickets, while Milan Rathnayake, Dilshan Madushanka and Sonal Dinusha took one each.
Bad light brought the day’s play to an early close, with Ghazi Ghori unbeaten on seven alongside Shakeel.
