Summary At stumps, Saud Shakeel was unbeaten on 57, while Ghazi Ghori had made seven not out, with Pakistan well placed after 67.2 overs of play
RAWALPINDI (Dunya News) - Pakistan finished the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka on 281 for five after a promising batting performance at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
At stumps, Saud Shakeel was unbeaten on 57, while Ghazi Ghori had made seven not out, with Pakistan well placed after 67.2 overs of play.
Pakistan's batting effort featured three half-centuries, with Tayyab Arif and Mohammad Taha also making significant contributions. Both scored 57 and 51 respectively before being dismissed.
Captain Babar Azam scored 50, while Azaan Awais contributed 30. Salman Ali Agha was the other batter to depart, scoring 16.
Play on the opening day was brought to an early close due to bad light, preventing the scheduled number of overs from being completed.
Also Read: Babar Azam says new Pakistan Test squad ready to fight against Sri Lanka
Earlier, Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to field in the Rawalpindi Test.
Speaking at the toss, Sri Lankan captain Kusal Mendis revealed that his side had opted for a four-pronged pace attack.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam said his team would look to play to its strengths, particularly during the opening session.
The first Test has also marked a significant occasion for Pakistan, with four players making their Test debuts: Tayyab Arif, Mohammad Taha, Arafat Minhas and Saqib Khan.
Playing XIs
Pakistan: Azan Awais, Tayyab Arif, Mohammad Taha, Babar Azam (c), Saud Shakeel, Salman Agha, Ghazi Ghori (wk), Arafat Minhas, Razaullah, Mohammad Abbas and Saqib Khan.
Sri Lanka: Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Lahiru Udara (wk), Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sonal Dinusha, Kusal Mendis (c), Milan Rathnayake, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka.
