Debutant Arif hits half-century as Pakistan reach 137-2 at lunch
Tayyab Arif scored a half-century on debut to take Pakistan to 137-2 at lunch on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi on Monday. The two matches are part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle, in which Pakistan currently occupy the bottom position, while Sri Lanka are seventh. The 20-year-old made a brisk 57 and put on a solid 86-run opening stand with Azan…
Debutant Mohammad Tayyab Arif contributed a half-century to Pakistan's innings as they reached 137-2 at lunch on the first day of their Test match against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi. Sri Lanka opted to bat first, having won the toss. The 20-year-old Arif, playing his first-class season, scored 57 runs off 51 balls, including nine boundaries and a six, before being dismissed.
His partnership with Azan Awais, who scored 30 runs, formed the basis of Pakistan's innings. Sri Lanka's first breakthrough came in the 16th over when Asitha Fernando edged a ball off Arif's stroke to wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis, reducing Pakistan to 90-2. Allrounder Arafat Minhas and fast bowler Saqib Khan also made their Test debuts for Pakistan in the match, which is part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle.
Pakistan's selection included pace-bowling all-rounder Aamir Jamal and three uncapped players, bringing the team's strength to 16.
Written by urgent.news from Dawn's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
