Pakistan declared their first innings at 434 for nine on day two of the first Test against Sri Lanka at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, after five batters scored half-centuries in a commanding batting display.

Captain Babar Azam called the innings to a close in 106.3 overs, leaving Sri Lanka a huge first-innings total to chase in the opening match of the two-Test series, which forms part of the ICC World Test Championship.

Shakeel top-scores with 93

Saud Shakeel top-scored with 93 from 199 deliveries, hitting nine boundaries before falling seven runs short of a first Test century in nearly two years. Asitha Fernando dismissed him with Pakistan on 393 for seven.

Shakeel had resumed on 57 not out on the second morning and shared a 96-run stand for the sixth wicket with debutant wicketkeeper Ghazi Ghori, who made 48 from 72 balls before Dilshan Madushanka removed him.

Debutant all-rounder Arafat Minhas then added 44 runs with Shakeel for the seventh wicket and went on to register his maiden Test half-century, making 52 from 72 deliveries with nine fours and a six. Madushanka dismissed him before Lahiru Kumara removed Razaullah for 10, and Babar declared.

Three debutants reach fifties

The declaration capped a memorable match for Pakistan's new-look side, with three debutants reaching fifty in the innings. On day one, opener Tayyab Arif scored 57 and Mohammad Taha made 51, while Babar added 50, his 35th Test half-century.

Openers Azan Awais and Tayyab had given Pakistan a solid start with an 86-run partnership, Azan scoring 30 from 50 balls. Babar and Taha then steadied the innings with a 69-run stand for the third wicket before Salman Ali Agha contributed 16.

Sri Lanka had won the toss and chosen to bowl on what looked a green pitch in Rawalpindi, but the decision backfired as Pakistan's batters cashed in across the first two days.

Sri Lanka lose early wickets

Pakistan's bowlers then made early inroads in Sri Lanka's reply. Mohammad Abbas removed opener Pasindu Sooriyabandara for a seven-ball duck, and debutant Saqib Khan claimed his maiden international wicket by dismissing Dinesh Chandimal for one.

Sri Lanka were reduced to 12 for two before Lahiru Udara and Kamindu Mendis steadied the innings, with the visitors trailing by 392 runs at the latest update.

Asitha Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka claimed three wickets each for Sri Lanka, while Kumara, Milan Rathnayake and Sonal Dinusha took one apiece.

The second and final Test of the series will be played in Lahore from 17 November.