Bad Light Ends Day One Early as Pakistan Reach 281 for 5 Against Sri Lanka

RAWALPINDI: Bad light brought an early end to day one of the Pakistan Sri Lanka first Test in Rawalpindi, with Pakistan 281 for 5 in 67.2 overs when the umpires took the players off. The light was only getting worse, and with no realistic chance of a resumption, the day closed 22.4 overs short. Saud Shakeel was unbeaten on 57, with wicketkeeper Ghazi Ghori on 7 not out.

Pakistan had begun the day in style. Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to field, but debutant openers Tayyab Arif and Azan Awais put on 86 for the first wicket. Arif made 57 off 51 balls on his Test debut, while Awais fell for 30, and Pakistan went to lunch at 137 for 2.

Three fifties, but no big innings
Every Pakistan batter got a start during the day, yet none went on to a substantial score. After Arif, captain Babar Azam made 50 off 58 balls, and fellow debutant Mohammad Taha ground out 51 off 105. Saud Shakeel, unbeaten on 57 off 112 balls at the close, was the one batter still standing. Pakistan had reached 214 for 3 by tea.

Sri Lanka hit back in the final session
Sri Lanka fought back after tea. Sonal Dinusha removed Mohammad Taha for 51, and Asitha Fernando sent Salman Agha back for 16, leaving Pakistan 253 for 5. Shakeel and Ghori then played carefully, adding an unbroken 28 off 24 balls before the light intervened.

Light and a slow over rate
Sri Lanka bowled spin for only four overs all day, leaning on their fast bowlers, with Asitha Fernando leading the way with two wickets. A slow over rate meant only 67.2 overs were possible. Play resumes on Tuesday, when Pakistan will look to Shakeel to push towards a hundred, and Sri Lanka will want the remaining five wickets as quickly as possible.