# Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 1st Test: Pakistan reach 281/5 on day one _Pakistan reached 281 for five on the opening day of the first Test in Rawalpindi after Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bowl._ - Publisher: Apex Sports News (https://apexsportsnews.in) - Canonical URL: https://apexsportsnews.in/news/pakistan-vs-sri-lanka-1st-test-pakistan-reach-281-5-on-day-one - Author: Atul, Editor (https://apexsportsnews.in/author/atul) - Published: 2026-11-09T17:25:00.654Z - Section: Cricket > International - Topics: Rawalpindi, Test cricket, Pakistan cricket, Sri Lanka cricket ## Summary Pakistan reached 281 for five at stumps on day one of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi. Tayyab Arif and Mohammad Taha made debut half-centuries, while Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel also passed fifty before bad light ended play after 67.2 overs. ## Key takeaways - Pakistan reached 281/5 at stumps on day one of the first Test in Rawalpindi - Debutant Tayyab Arif made 57 off 51 balls - Mohammad Taha scored 51 off 105 deliveries - Babar Azam made 50 off 58 balls with seven fours - Saud Shakeel remained unbeaten on 57 ## Article Pakistan reached 281 for five at stumps on day one of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi, NDTV Sport reported. Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis won the toss and chose to bowl on a greenish wicket. Bad light stopped play after 67.2 overs. ## Opening partnerships and key performances Opening batter Tayyab Arif and Mohammad Taha made impressive debuts as new-look Pakistan drove to 281-5 on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka on Monday. Arif made an aggressive 57 off 51 balls and Taha showed lot of grit at No. 3 to score 51 off 105 deliveries. Captain Babar Azam's flamboyant 50 off 58 balls featured seven fours, and Saud Shakeel's unbeaten 57 also gave Pakistan early advantage. ## Sri Lanka bowling and match context Neither side had it all their way. Looking at the grass left on the pitch by the groundsmen, Kusal Mendis had little hesitation in putting Pakistan in. Contrary to expectations, there wasn't a great deal of assistance for the seamers, but there was still enough to work with. The Sri Lankan quicks lacked consistency with their lines and lengths early on. They did manage to tighten things up as the day wore on, but by then, the best opportunity to strike with the new ball had passed. ## Series context and squads This is the first match of a two-test series. Sportstar listed Pakistan's playing XI as Azan Awais, Tayyab Arif, Mohammad Taha, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Salman Agha, Ghazi Ghori, Arafat Minhas, Razaullah, Mohammad Abbas and Saqib Khan. Sri Lanka's side included Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis, Sonal Dinusha, Milan Priyanath Rathnayake, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka. ## What happens next NDTV Sport said the first ball on day two is scheduled at 4.30 am GMT. Pakistan will be banking on Saud Shakeel and the lower order to take them closer to 400, which would put them in a strong position in this game. Sri Lanka will be looking for a much better start tomorrow morning, hoping to make early inroads and keep Pakistan in check. ### Pakistan batters on day one | Batter | Score | Balls | | --- | --- | --- | | Tayyab Arif | 57 | 51 | | Mohammad Taha | 51 | 105 | | Babar Azam | 50 | 58 | | Saud Shakeel | 57\* | not listed | ### Related on Apex Sports News - [Kusal Mendis backs Sri Lanka batting ahead of Pakistan Test](https://apexsportsnews.in/news/kusal-mendis-backs-sri-lanka-batting-ahead-of-pakistan-test) - [PCB adds Aamir Jamal and three uncapped players to Pakistan squad for Sri Lanka Tests](https://apexsportsnews.in/news/pcb-adds-aamir-jamal-and-three-uncapped-players-to-pakistan-squad-for-sri-lanka) - [Babar Azam says Pakistan Test squad ready to fight against Sri Lanka](https://apexsportsnews.in/news/babar-azam-says-pakistan-test-squad-ready-to-fight-against-sri-lanka) ### Sources - [NDTV Sports](https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/pakistan-vs-sri-lanka-1st-test-day-1-live-score-updates-12301549#publisher=newsstand) - [Daily Mirror](https://www.dailymirror.lk/sports/Azam-says-new-Pakistan-Test-squad-ready-to-fight-against-Sri-Lanka/244-354480) - [Photo: shents, Pixabay Content License (Pixabay)](https://pixabay.com/photos/cricket-bowling-girl-junior-player-724620/) --- Source: Apex Sports News, https://apexsportsnews.in/news/pakistan-vs-sri-lanka-1st-test-pakistan-reach-281-5-on-day-one. Please cite and link the original article when quoting.