PAK vs SL 1st Test Day 1 Highlights: Pakistan Reaches 281/5 as Shakeel Hits 50*

Pakistan finished the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka at 281/5 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, with Saud Shakeel leading the hosts' late push through an unbeaten 57. Mohammad Tayyab Arif and Babar Azam also registered half-centuries, giving Pakistan three batters with significant contributions. The PAK vs SL 1st Test Day 1 highlights feature Arif's impressive debut, Azam's fluent fifty and Shakeel's unbeaten knock as poor visibility brought an early end to proceedings.

Mohammad Tayyab Arif made an immediate impact on his Test debut, scoring 57 from 51 balls with nine fours and a six. Azan Awais added 30 before Asitha Fernando dismissed Arif, leaving Pakistan at 90/2. Babar Azam then took charge of the middle order, reaching 50 from 58 deliveries with seven boundaries. Mohammad Taha provided further support with 51 off 105 balls, but Dilshan Madushanka and Sonal Dinusha removed the two set batters.

Sri Lanka found another opening when Fernando sent Agha Salman back for 16, finishing with two wickets in the innings. However, Shakeel kept Pakistan's scoring effort on track with a composed 57 from 112 balls. He remained at the crease alongside Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, who was unbeaten on seven when the umpires stopped play.

Pakistan's total stood at 281/5 when fading light ended the first day's action with 22.4 overs still scheduled to be bowled. Fernando returned figures of 2/64, while Milan Rathnayake, Madushanka and Dinusha picked up one wicket each. 

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