Saud steadies Pakistan’s innings

Debutants Tayyab and Taha also impress as hosts reach 281-5 against Sri Lanka in first Test

Saud Shakeel struck an unbeaten fifty to guide Pakistan to 281-5 at stumps on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Monday after the visitors elected to field.

Pakistan's four debutants including Tayyab Arif, Mohammad Taha, Arafat Minhas and Saqib Khan were included in the playing XI with two of them making valuable contributions with the bat.

Saud remained unbeaten on 57 off 112 deliveries, striking seven fours, while wicket-keeper batsman Ghazi Ghori was not out on seven when bad light forced an early end to the proceedings after 67.2 overs.

Pakistan made an aggressive start through openers Azan Awais and 20-year old Sialkot-born Tayyab Arif, who added 86 runs for the first wicket in just 15.6 overs. Azan, left-hander, scored 30 off 50 balls, hitting seven boundaries before Milan Rathnayaka had him caught behind by Kusal Mendis.

Tayyab continued the attacking approach and brought up his first fifty on debut off just 46 deliveries, including eight fours and a six. However, he fell for 57 off 51 balls, caught behind off Asitha Fernando in the following over, leaving Pakistan at 90-2.

Mohammad Taha joined captain Babar Azam and helped steady the innings with a 69-run partnership for the third wicket. The pair took Pakistan to 159 before Babar departed for 50 off 58 deliveries, having struck seven fours. Dilshan Madushanka provided the breakthrough, dismissing the Pakistan skipper caught behind.

Taha, who showed considerable patience on debut, completed his half-century off 101 balls, hitting six fours. He continued to build the innings alongside Saud, with the pair adding 68 runs for the fourth wicket.

Their partnership took Pakistan beyond the 200-run mark and provided the hosts with a platform to finish the day strongly. Taha was eventually dismissed for 51 off 105 balls, caught by Dhananjaya de Silva off Sonal Dinusha, with the score at 227-4.

Saud then found support from Salman Ali Agha, who added 26 runs with the left-hander for the fifth wicket. Salman scored 16 off 22 deliveries, including two fours, before Fernando removed him to leave Pakistan at 253-5.

Saud continued to hold one end together and brought up his fifty off 103 deliveries. He found another partner in Ghori, and the pair added an unbeaten 28 for the sixth wicket unbroken stand before bad light brought an early close.

Sri Lanka shared the wickets among their bowlers, with Fernando taking 2-64, while Rathnayaka, Madushanka and Dinusha claimed one apiece.