MULTAN: The second day of the first Pakistan vs England Test match has started as the hosts will make effort to maintain their control at the Multan Cricket Stadium.
Earlier, Pakistan took control of the opening day of the first Test against England in Multan, thanks to commanding centuries from captain Shan Masood and opener Abdullah Shafique. The pair’s stellar 219-run partnership set the foundation for Pakistan’s strong showing, with the hosts ending Day 1 on 328/4.
Shan Masood, leading the side in a Test series for the first time, played a captain’s knock of 151 runs. His aggressive approach kept the England bowlers on the back foot, as he brought up his fifth Test hundred off just 102 balls.
Abdullah Shafique, who had been struggling for form, found his rhythm with a solid knock of 114. This was Shafique’s fifth Test century, a timely return to form after a disappointing series against Bangladesh. He supported Masood with smart running between the wickets and elegant strokes, switching gears at key moments to frustrate the inexperienced England bowling attack.
Pakistan’s dominance was established early on, as the duo took control after the early dismissal of opener Saim Ayub, who was caught for 4 by Gus Atkinson in the fourth over. By lunch, Pakistan had reached 122/1, with Masood and Shafique going strong at 61 and 53, respectively.
The second session saw Pakistan’s total grow further as Masood and Shafique extended their partnership. Masood brought up his century shortly after lunch, while Shafique reached his ton after a patient and calculated innings. England’s bowlers, led by Chris Woakes and debutant Brydon Carse, struggled to stop the flow of runs in the scorching Multan heat.
The breakthrough came late in the day for England, as Gus Atkinson dismissed Shafique for 114, and Jack Leach removed Masood after a sparkling 151. England gained a crucial wicket in the final moments when Woakes struck to send Babar Azam back to the pavilion for 9, leaving Pakistan at 328/4 at the close of play.
Pakistan Playing XI
Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel (vc), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmad.
England Playing XI
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (c), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir.
