Tayyab Arif hits fifty as Pakistan reach 86/1 at drinks in 1st Test vs Sri Lanka

Pakistan reached 86/1 at the drinks break on Day 1 of the first Test against Sri Lanka on November 9, 2026, with debutant Tayyab Arif reaching a half-century and Azan Awais having been dismissed just before the interval.

Asked to bat, Pakistan’s openers Tayyab Arif and Azan Awais put together an aggressive 86-run opening partnership in 16 overs, repeatedly punishing the Sri Lankan attack before Awais was removed; Mohammad Taha and Babar Azam were the next batsmen to come in.

Azan Awais was trapped by Milan Rathnayaka just on the stroke of the drinks break when a delivery from around the wicket pitched up outside off, Awais went for the drive and an inside edge carried to Kusal Mendis, who dived to his right to take the catch.

Tayyab Arif reached his fifty on debut after punishing an overpitched delivery from Lahiru Kumara with a cover drive; the commentary noted "Gloriously driven, and that will be a FIFTY for Tayyab Arif on debut," and Arif acknowledged the applause from his teammates.

Mohammad Taha opened his international account with a quick single after arriving at the crease, and Asitha Fernando later produced a hard-length delivery that resulted in a caught-behind dismissal, with the catch taken to the right by Kusal Mendis.

Sri Lanka’s seamers Milan Rathnayaka, Asitha Fernando and Lahiru Kumara featured throughout the session, with Rathnayaka bowling from around the stumps and at one point overstepping to concede a no-ball, while Kumara served up a half-volley that Arif drove for four to reach his fifty.

Babar Azam walked out to join the middle order after the drinks break as Pakistan continued their innings with one wicket down and Arif having scored a fifty on debut.