Tayyab Arif’s Fifty on Debut Gives Pakistan a Strong Start in First Test Against Sri Lanka

RAWALPINDI: A Tayyab Arif fifty on debut gave Pakistan a strong start on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka, with the hosts reaching 137 for 2 at lunch in 30 overs. Captain Babar Azam was unbeaten on 31, with Mohammad Taha on 15 at the other end.

Sri Lanka had won the toss and chosen to field, but Pakistan’s new opening pair made the decision look wrong. Tayyab Arif and Azan Awais put on 86 for the first wicket and kept Sri Lanka’s fast bowlers under pressure from the start — Pakistan struck 16 fours and a six in the first session.

Both openers fell within five balls
Sri Lanka hit back just before drinks. Milan Rathnayake had Azan Awais caught behind by captain Kusal Mendis for 30, and in the very next over Asitha Fernando removed Tayyab Arif the same way. The 20-year-old Arif, on his Test debut, made 57 off 51 balls, with nine fours and a six, reaching his fifty off 46 deliveries.

Babar and Taha steadied the innings
After the two quick wickets, Babar Azam and Mohammad Taha steadied the innings and took Pakistan past 100 in 20.1 overs. Babar completed his own fifty after lunch, off 58 balls, before falling to Dilshan Madushanka, caught by Mendis — the left-arm seamer’s maiden Test wicket. At 40 overs Pakistan were 176 for 3, with Taha unbeaten on 30 and Saud Shakeel on 3.

Series context
Four players are making their Test debuts for Pakistan in this match. The first Test of the two-match series runs from 9 to 13 November in Rawalpindi, with the second Test scheduled for 17 to 21 November at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. In the World Test Championship 2025-27, Pakistan sit ninth and last, while Sri Lanka are seventh.