Debutant Taha and Babar Azam steer Pakistan through Day 1 against Sri Lanka

Pakistan reached stumps on 281/5 on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi, with debutant Mohammad Taha and captain Babar Azam both reaching fifties, according to the ICC's report on the day. The Test began on Monday 9 November and is scheduled to run to 13 November.

What happened on Day 1 of Pakistan vs Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka chose to field, and Pakistan built their total around one partnership. Taha, a 26-year-old left-hander playing his first Test, made 51 from 105 balls. He shared a stand of 69 with Babar, who also made 50, the ICC reports. Pakistan lost five wickets in all by the close.

Taha said that batting alongside Babar helped him settle in, per the ICC. Sri Lanka bowling coach Ryan van Niekerk admitted his side were too loose early on but said he was pleased they took wickets late to get back into the match.

Who are the new faces in this Pakistan side?

Pakistan named a 16-man squad with several new names. Wisden's series preview lists Tayyab Arif, Aamer Jamal, Ali Shabbir and Saqib Khan as new, and notes that Shan Masood, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Ali Usman and Abdullah Fazal were left out. Mohammad Rizwan was also omitted despite a double century in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Wisden says.

Sri Lanka, led by Kusal Mendis, welcome back Pathum Nissanka to strengthen the batting. Wisden says Anjala Bandara is likely to debut as wicketkeeper and Eshan Malinga has earned a call-up.

Why does this Test matter for the World Test Championship?

The two-match series forms part of the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle. Wisden describes Pakistan's record in the cycle as a "horrendous run": two wins and seven defeats. Sri Lanka have played six, winning one, losing two and drawing three. For both sides, every result in this series moves a table that has been unkind to them.

Pakistan arrive in better spirits in the shorter formats, having just won a T20I series and an ODI tri-series that also included England, Wisden notes. The Test side, now under Babar's captaincy, is a different challenge.

What is not confirmed yet?

This story covers Day 1 only. The outcome of the Test, and how the later days unfold, is not yet known, and Pulse will cover further developments in follow-up stories. The second Test is at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore from 17 to 21 November, according to the Cricinfo series page. Both Tests start at 9:30 am local time, which is 10 am in India.

For readers in India, that start time means the first session begins at breakfast, with Pakistan's innings or Sri Lanka's reply setting the tone for a series that is part of a very full cricket week.