Pakistan’s decision to overhaul their Test squad has yielded a historic result in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Rawalpindi. In a rare display of composure and skill, three debutants—Tayyab Arif, Mohammad Taha, and Arafat Minhas—all registered half-centuries in the same innings. This achievement marks only the second time in the 149-year history of Test cricket that three players making their debut have scored fifty or more in the same innings.
The only previous occurrence of this feat dates back to 1992, during Zimbabwe’s inaugural Test match against India in Harare, where Andy Flower, Grant Flower, and Dave Houghton all reached the milestone. Pakistan’s new-look side demonstrated their depth as they powered to a first-innings total of 434/9 before captain Babar Azam declared during the second session on day two.
Debutants and veterans combine for commanding total
The batting effort was anchored by
The innings eventually concluded when Babar Azam opted for a declaration, following a brief 17-run cameo from Razaullah. For Sri Lanka, the highlight of the bowling effort was Asitha Fernando, who claimed his 100th Test wicket by dismissing Shakeel shortly after the lunch break. Lahiru Kumara also chipped in with a wicket to round out the visitors' efforts in the field.
Saqib Khan leads bowling charge as Sri Lanka falter
Carrying the momentum from their batting display, Pakistan’s bowlers immediately put Sri Lanka under pressure. Fast bowler Saqib Khan, one of four debutants in the match, made an instant impact with the ball. Alongside the experienced Mohammad Abbas, Saqib helped reduce the visitors to 12/2 early in their response.
Abbas struck first by removing Pasindu Sooriyabandara for a duck, while Saqib accounted for Dinesh Chandimal. Saqib later added the wicket of Lahiru Udara, who had provided some resistance with an aggressive 42 off 47 balls. Despite a late recovery through an unbeaten 49-run partnership between Mendis and de Silva, Sri Lanka finished the day at 114/3, with play curtailed early for the second consecutive day due to poor light. Pakistan now holds a significant advantage as they look to force a result in the remainder of the Test.
