Photo by Nazly Ahmed from Colombo, Sri Lanka (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 1st Test: Babar Azam's side take on Sri Lanka

Pakistan’s top order faced early pressure in the first Test against Sri Lanka as the hosts tightened their grip. By the 18th over, the side was already at 95 runs for two wickets, with Mohammad Taha and Babar Azam struggling to accelerate the scoring.

Taha’s debut in Test cricket was marked by a first boundary—a four off Asitha Fernando—after the Sri Lankan bowler overstepped, allowing the young batter to flick the ball through the square-leg region. Meanwhile, Babar Azam was dismissed for a golden duck after two deliveries, edging Milan Rathnayaka’s length ball into the hands of the wicketkeeper.

Sri Lanka’s bowlers, led by Rathnayaka (4-0-9-10) and Fernando (5-1-26-10), have set a disciplined tone, restricting Pakistan to just 95 runs in 18.3 overs.

Up nextCricket· 14h ago

Selection not in my hands, I simply give my inputs, says Babar Azam