Babar Azam scored a fluent half-century, but a century continued to elude him for the 41st innings as Pakistan reached 281 for five on a shortened first day of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi on Monday.

Babar was caught at the wicket soon after completing his 35th half-century from 58 balls with seven fours. Debutants Mohammad Tayyab Arif and Mohammad Taha also made fifties, and Saud Shakeel was batting on 57 when bad light ended play after only 67.2 overs, with Pakistan at a respectable total on a pitch friendly to fast bowlers after being sent into bat.

Tayyab, who was not in the original squad and was named only 48 hours before the match, was caught by wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis off Asitha Fernando for 57, while Taha scored 51 in his maiden Test before falling to off-spinner Sonal Dinusha.

When play ended, wicketkeeper Mohammad Ghazi Ghori (7) was at the crease with Saud.

Earlier, Pakistan handed Test caps to Taha, Tayyab, all-rounder Arafat Minhas and fast bowler Saqib Khan. That meant 12 players have made their Test debuts in 2026 with one Test remaining, the most in a calendar year since 12 players debuted in 1952 – the year Pakistan earned Test status.

Azan Awais and Tayyab made full use of Sri Lanka’s friendly and wayward bowling, creaming boundaries at will as Pakistan raced to 86 in the 16th over before Azan departed. Milan Rathnayaka, the most impressive of the Sri Lanka bowlers, found the inside edge of the left-hander, who scored 30 from 50 balls with seven fours.

Tayyab, the 20-year-old from Sialkot, showed little or no sign of nervousness and played some sparkling shots before Fernando found the outside edge for Kusal to do the rest. Tayyab belted nine fours, most on the off side, and a six off a short-pitched delivery.

Babar walked in at 90 and played his signature cover drives, showing confidence and form. He went to lunch on 31 with Pakistan on 137 for two.

After lunch, Babar picked up where he had left off until a beautiful outswinger from Dilshan Madushanka undid him. It was a heartbreak for Babar, who looked fluent and flawless, striking eye-catching boundaries. But it seems the champion batter will have to wait longer for his first century since the Boxing Day Test against New Zealand in Karachi in 2022, 41 innings ago.

Babar’s departure did not deter Taha, who continued to play carefully and watchfully in his maiden Test until inexperience took a toll. When he looked set for a bigger innings, Taha tried to pull off-spinner Dinusha outside off stump and top-edged to Kusal for a comfortable catch.

Taha faced 105 balls and struck six fours, reaching his half-century from 101 balls after progressing from 15 at lunch to 41 at tea.

After adding 69 for the third wicket with Babar, Taha put on 68 for the fourth wicket with Saud.

Salman Ali Agha was the fifth batter dismissed, at 253, when he fell to a Fernando delivery that bounced sharply from a good length, giving Kusal his fourth catch of the day. Salman scored 16 from 22 balls.

Saud continued to do what he does well until play ended prematurely, batting comfortably and gracefully on 57 from 112 balls with seven fours.

For Sri Lanka, Asitha Fernando took two for 64, while Dinusha, Rathnayaka and Madushanka took one wicket each.

Scores in brief (day one of five):

Pakistan 281-5, 67.2 overs (Saud Shakeel 57 not out, Mohammad Tayyab Arif 57, Mohammad Taha 51, Babar Azam 50, Azan Awais 30, Salman Ali Agha 16, Mohammad Ghazi Ghori 7 not out; Asitha Fernando 2-64) v Sri Lanka