Pakistan’s Abdullah Shafique, proper, celebrates with teammate Shan Masood after scoring century in the course of the first day of the primary check cricket match between Pakistan and England, in Multan, Pakistan, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024.
| Picture Credit score: AP
Captain Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafique hit centuries as Pakistan dominated Day 1 of the primary check in opposition to a new-look England tempo assault on Monday (October 7, 2024).
Masood, who compiled his first check ton in 4 years, smashed 151 off 177 balls whereas Shafique made a fluent 102 to assist the house workforce attain stumps on 328-4.
England took three wickets within the remaining session, after Masood and Shafique had shared an enormous stand of 253 for the second wicket because the guests toiled within the searing warmth of Multan.
Saud Shakeel was unbeaten on 35 and nightwatchman Naseem Shah but to attain on the shut of play.
Quick bowler Gus Atkinson, taking part in his first abroad check, claimed 2-70 whereas Jack Leach, returning after a spell out of the workforce, picked up 1-61 on a wicket which had a tinge of grass however gave little help to tempo or spin.
Chris Woakes trapped Babar Azam lbw for 30 with the second new ball within the penultimate over of the day. Pakistan’s former captain hasn’t scored a half-century in his final 17 innings.
Masood, who hit 13 fours and two sixes, and Shafique received on high of off-spinner Shoaib Bashir, who was wicket-less in his 18 overs and conceded 71 runs.
“The way in which Shan and I made the partnership, it was essential for us,” stated Shafique. “Purple-ball cricket will not be a simple recreation. The principle factor I used to be specializing in was the method. If I do good issues within the course of then I’m capable of do properly within the match.”
Debutant Brydon Carse twice got here near a wicket. Masood efficiently overturned on-field umpire Kumar Dharmasena’s lbw determination by way of a TV referral early in his knock, whereas stand-in skipper Ollie Pope couldn’t maintain onto a low catch at brief cowl off the identical batter.
Shafique additionally survived a run-out probability when Pope’s under-arm throw from shut vary missed the stumps on the non-striker’s finish, with the batter well-short of his crease within the first session.
Atkinson loved early success when he had Saim Ayub (4) caught by keeper Jamie Smith down the leg aspect in his second over.
England then needed to wait till the ultimate session when Shafique, scuffling with cramp quickly after reaching his hundred with a six over long-on, provided a tame catch within the covers and fell after hitting 10 fours and two sixes.
Masood additionally struggled with cramp and adopted Shafique when Leach grabbed a low return catch.
Masood, whose final check century got here in opposition to England in Manchester in 2020, had been beneath the microscope after shedding 5 successive assessments since he was appointed captain final 12 months.
Pakistan’s top-order was additionally criticised after shedding the house sequence to Bangladesh 2-0, throughout which Shafique scored 42 runs in 4 innings.
Masood used his toes properly in opposition to Bashir and pierced the gaps on the off aspect with precision in opposition to the tempo bowlers as he reached his century after lunch off 102 balls.
Each groups picked three quick bowlers and two spinners, with Pakistan together with pacemen Aamer Jamal, getting back from a again harm, Naseem and Shaheen Shah Afridi, together with gradual bowlers Abrar Ahmed and Salman Ali Agha.
England check captain Ben Stokes missed the sequence opener due to a hamstring harm, however he introduced a maiden check cap to Durham team-mate Carse, who bowled constantly at 140mph early in his spell.
It’s the first check of a three-match sequence.
Revealed – October 08, 2024 02:49 am IST
