Pakistan Reach 281 for 5 at Stumps on Day One of First Sri Lanka Test

Pakistan reach 281 for 5 at stumps on day one

Pakistan closed day one of the first Test against Sri Lanka on 281 for 5 in 67.2 overs at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Monday 9 November 2026, after bad light ended play early. Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bowl first in the opening Test of the two match series, with the second Test to follow in Lahore from 17 to 21 November. Pakistan were 137 for 2 at lunch and 214 for 3 at tea, and four batters passed fifty on a day when Pakistan handed Test debuts to four players.

Four fifties, four debuts

Debutant Tayyab Arif made 57 off 51 balls with nine fours and a six, and fellow debutant Mohammad Taha made 51 off 105 balls. Captain Babar Azam made 50 off 58 balls. Saud Shakeel was unbeaten on 57 off 112 balls at stumps, with Ghazi Ghori 7 not out beside him. Azan Awais made 30 and Salman Ali Agha made 16, and extras added 13. The fall of wickets was 1-86 Awais, 2-90 Tayyab, 3-159 Babar, 4-227 Taha and 5-253 Salman. The other two debutants, Arafat Minhas and Saqib Khan, did not bat on day one and had not bowled yet, with Sri Lanka yet to bat.

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Sri Lanka bowling

Asitha Fernando took 2 for 64, Dilshan Madushanka 1 for 87, Milan Rathnayake 1 for 43 and Sonal Dinusha 1 for 10, while Lahiru Kumara went wicketless for 70. The Sri Lanka attack kept Pakistan to a steady rate without breaking the innings open, and the bad light finish left the match evenly poised with five Pakistan wickets down and two set batters at the crease.

What happens on day two

Play resumes on Tuesday 10 November 2026 from 9:30 am PKT, with Pakistan resuming at 281 for 5 and Saud Shakeel and Ghazi Ghori at the crease. Both Tests count for the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27. For the build up, squads and the toss, read Pakistan vs Sri Lanka First Test: Rawalpindi Preview, Squads and What to Watch on 9 November.

Frequently asked questions

What was Pakistan's score at stumps on day one? Pakistan were 281 for 5 in 67.2 overs at stumps on 9 November 2026, with bad light ending play early.

Who scored fifties for Pakistan on day one? Tayyab Arif 57, Mohammad Taha 51, Babar Azam 50 and Saud Shakeel 57 not out.

Who won the toss? Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bowl first at Rawalpindi.

How many players debuted for Pakistan? Four: Tayyab Arif, Mohammad Taha, Arafat Minhas and Saqib Khan.

When does day two start? Play resumes on Tuesday 10 November 2026 from 9:30 am PKT.

Sources: The News; ESPNcricinfo; Geo Super; Cricbuzz.