Pakistan captain Shan Masood scored his first half-century of the series against Bangladesh on Day 2 of first Test at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Masood scored 57 runs after losing the toss. The left-handed batter became the fourth Pakistan captain to score a half-century in Tests against Bangladesh.
The first Pakistan captain to achieve the feat was Rashid Latif with an unbeaten 54 in Karachi in 2003. Misbah-ul-Haq achieved the feat in 2011 for the first time. He as three half-centuries against Bangladesh as captain including an 82-run knock. Babar Azam is the only other Pakistan captain to score a Test half-century against Bangladesh. Babar scored 76 runs at Mirpur in 2021.
Masood’s partnership with Ayub
Masood had to walk out to bat after the first over as opener Abdullah Shafique got knocked over by Taskin Ahmed. Masood reached his half-century from just 54 balls in the 23rd over of the crease. After the lunch break, he was dismissed lbw by Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Masood got out lbw. He was not happy with the call and reviewed it. The replay showed three reds and Pakistan lost the review. Masood departed after scoring 57 runs from 69 balls. He hit just two fours.
He shared a 107-run partnership for the second wicket with Saim Ayub who scored 58 runs from 110 balls. Ayub hit four fours and a couple of sixes before he got stumped out. Miraz took his wicket as well.
Masood rests Naseem
Earlier, Masood at the coin toss revealed that young pacer Naseem Shah has been rested from the second Test. The team management had rested Shaheen Afridi as well but Naseem was named in the list of 12 players announced on August 29. He included spinner Abrar Ahmed and left-arm pacer Mir Hamza in the side.
“We would have bowled first with the wicket under covers. It's a 4-day game now. From the 12, we've rested Naseem, so Abrar and Mir Hamza come in for Shaheen and Naseem. He's (on Abrar) done well on green tracks, has got some help as well, so we're playing 3 pacers and two spinners,” the 34-year-old said.
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