The pitch at Multan Cricket Stadium turned out to be a batting paradise as Pakistan opener Abdullah Shafique and captain Shan Masood brought up their respective centuries on Day 1 of the first Test of the three-Test series. England bowlers searched for some assistance from the pitch as they were dominated by Pakistan skipper who ended his century drought. As the game progressed, former England captains Michael Vaughan and Kevin Pietersen slammed the pitch prepared for the opening game of the series.
‘That wicket in Multan - bowlers GRAVEYARD!’ Pietersen wrote on X.
“Looks like a road in Multan .. Great toss to have won .. also nice to see @shani_official batting in what looks like Padel shoes .. #PAKvsENG,” Vaughan shared on social media.
After winning the toss, Masood opted to bat first. Gus Atkinson got the early breakthrough for the visitors in the form of Saim Ayub. The young batter squandered another opportunity as he edged one to wicketkeeper Jamie Smith in the fourth over of the innings. Brydon Carse in his second over thought he had his man when umpire raised his finger. However, Masood opted for DRS and it the lbw decision was overturned.
Masood, Shafique shrug off poor form
Masood scored at a rapid rate and reached his half-century from 43 balls in the first session. Shafique hit a six to reach his half-century from 77 deliveries. After the first session, Pakistan were 122/1. Masood continued to attack. He hit Atkinson and Jack Leach for one six each. In the 38th over, he reached his fifth Test hundred from 102 balls. This is his first Test hundred since 2020.
Shafique continued to bat with patience. Early in the third session, the opener reached his century with a six off left-arm spinner Leach. Shafique faced 166 balls to reach his century. The second wicket partnership was broken in the 60th over by Atkinson. He scored 102 runs from 184 balls. His knock featured 10 fours and a couple of sixes. A few overs later, Masood handed a simple catch to Leach. The captain's knock of 151 from 177 balls featured 13 fours and a couple of sixes.
Masood, Shafique enter record books
Masood's 151 is the highest score by a Pakistan captain against England at home. He broke Babar Azam's record of highest score as a captain against England. Overall, he is the third Pakistan captain to score 150 or more against England. Hanif Mohammad (187) and Javed Miandad (153) are the other too.
They shared a 253-run partnership for the second wicket for Pakistan against England. The top spot belongs to Mushtaq Mohammad and Zaheer Abbas who shared a 291-run partnership for the second wicket in Birmingham in 1971. The 253-run partnership is also the fourth-highest for Pakistan in the format.
