MULTAN: Pakistan’s first innings concluded with an impressive total of 556 on the second day of the opening Test against England, as Salman Agha powered his way to an unbeaten 104 on Tuesday.
Agha’s century — his third in Test cricket — anchored Pakistan’s lower order after the home side resumed at 328-4. Last-man Abrar Ahmed contributed just three runs before being caught by Ben Duckett off Joe Root, bringing the innings to a close.
Pakistan faced an early setback in the morning session when Naseem Shah was dismissed for a gritty 33, followed by the quick departure of Mohammad Rizwan for a duck. Saud Shakeel’s solid 82 helped steady the innings, while Shaheen Shah Afridi chipped in with a useful 26 down the order.
England’s bowling attack, led by left-arm spinner Jack Leach, struggled to contain Pakistan’s batting onslaught. Leach finished with figures of 3-160, while Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse both claimed two wickets apiece.
Resuming on 328-4, Saud Shakeel and nightwatchman Naseem Shah frustrated the visitors during a fifth-wicket stand of 64 before Naseem was caught at leg slip by Harry for 33 to give debutant Brydon Carse his first wicket in the match.
Mohammad Rizwan followed for a 12-ball duck in a session where England’s bowling witnessed only 69 runs scored in 26 overs.
Jack Leach, who picked up the wicket of Muhammad Rizwan caught at mid-off by Chris Woakes, has 2-79 and Gus Atkinson 2-88. Woakes and Carse have one wicket each.
England toiled hard for the first breakthrough in the morning session as Saud Shakeel and Naseem Shah started off cautiously to blunt the second new ball following Babar Azam’s dismissal late Monday.
After just 21 runs were made from the first ten overs, Naseem Shah opened up with a six off Shoaib Bashir and then blasted another off Leach.
Carse got his breakthrough 25 minutes before lunch to dismiss Naseem Shah and leave Pakistan 388-5. Rizwan fell just three overs and 5 runs later.
