PAK vs ENG, Day 1: Pakistan hogged the limelight on Day 1 of the Test. The country saw how all attention was shifted toward the fabulous 253-run stand put by skipper Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafique. He had huge pressure on his shoulders before this match as people were expecting big things from him and putting a lot of burden.
Centuries from Abdullah Shafique and Shan Masood guide Pakistan to a strong total on Day 1 👊#WTC25 | #PAKvENG 📝: https://t.co/9DEaopyUsv pic.twitter.com/JlxoEyGJX6
— ICC (@ICC) October 7, 2024
Masood, however, silenced every one of his critics with a solid hundred. Though he started slowly and at times was on the back foot after that LBW scare, coming on of Shoaib Bashir proved to be the catalyst for him to seek a rhythm and hammer in some much-needed boundaries.
Shafique was a very valuable ally for Masood, playing for his partner and scoring freely, but both the batsmen fell nearby of 16 balls to each other with wickets for Atkinson and Leach. Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel looked good enough to see Pakistan through till the stumps, but Babar’s issues continued and he fell to Woakes in the last but one over of the day.
Pakistan has built a good platform for a big first-innings total, and it’s now left to the middle order to ride on this promising start.
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Pakistan Batting Summary:
1st Session: 122/1 (25 overs), RR: 4.88
2nd Session: 111/0 (27 overs), RR: 4.11
3rd Session: 95/3 (34 overs), RR: 2.79
“I am feeling happy as it is a next-level feeling to perform in front of the team. Low scores are given by each and everybody for three consecutive Tests; it’s not an easy game. Focusing on the process. Learning from senior players like Shan Masood is priceless. Tough conditions here in Multan, but we’ve trained hard for 4-5 days. Cramps are part and parcel of the game, but we’re in good shape now.” said Abdullah Shafique after Day 1 ended.
Pakistan had a good start and is likely to take this victory forward into the match.
Brief Scores: Pakistan 328/4 (Shan Masood 151, Abdullah Shafique 102; Gus Atkinson 2-70) vs England.
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