RAWALPINDI — Pakistan’s cricket future looked bright on Monday as two debutants announced their arrival on the international stage with commanding half-centuries, propelling the hosts to a commanding 281-5 at stumps on day one of the First Test against Sri Lanka at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
In a performance that will be remembered for years, Tayyab Arif and Mohammad Taha showcased the depth of Pakistan’s emerging talent pool, combining youthful aggression with mature shot selection to dominate Sri Lanka’s bowling attack after the visitors won the toss and elected to field.
Tayyab set the tone immediately, partnering with fellow opener Azan Awais in an electrifying 86-run stand that had Sri Lankan bowlers scrambling for answers. The debutant’s fearless approach saw him race to 57 off just 51 deliveries, smashing nine boundaries and a six at a blistering strike rate exceeding 111 before Milan Rathnayake finally broke through.
Azan contributed a brisk 30 off 35 balls with seven fours before becoming Rathnayake’s first victim, but the damage had been done—Pakistan had seized early momentum and never looked back.
Captain Babar Azam then joined the second debutant, Mohammad Taha, to rebuild with characteristic elegance. The pair guided Pakistan past 100 and added 69 crucial runs before Babar fell for a well-crafted 50 that included seven boundaries. His 35th Test half-century demonstrated the leadership and class that has defined his career.
But it was Taha’s turn to shine next. The young batsman displayed remarkable composure under pressure, grinding through 105 deliveries to reach his maiden Test fifty with six boundaries. His patient 51 formed the backbone of a vital 68-run partnership with veteran Saud Shakeel before Sonal Dinusha ended his memorable debut.
Shakeel, ever reliable, anchored the lower middle order with an unbeaten 57 off 112 balls, notching his 12th Test half-century. He lost partner Salman Ali Agha for 16 to Asitha Fernando’s second wicket of the day but remained solid as bad light forced an early close.
Ghazi Ghori will resume on seven alongside Shakeel on day two, with Pakistan firmly in control and eyeing a substantial first-innings total.
For Sri Lanka, the bowling attack struggled to contain Pakistan’s aggressive intent. Fernando claimed two wickets, while Rathnayake, Madushanka, and Dinusha picked up one apiece, but the damage had been done across all sessions.
The opening day belonged entirely to Pakistan’s batsmen—and particularly to two young men who seized their moment on cricket’s biggest stage and refused to let go.
