Captain Shan Masood struck a century, while Abdullah Shafique scored a fifty, leading Pakistan to 200 runs for the loss of just one wicket on the opening day of the Multan Test against England.
After winning the toss, Pakistan opted to bat first.
England managed to take an early wicket in the first session but couldn’t capitalize on the initial breakthrough. Saim Ayub was the only dismissal, caught behind off Gus Atkinson’s bowling after contributing just 8 runs.
Despite efforts from England’s stand-in captain Ollie Pope—who was replacing the injured Ben Stokes—and trying multiple bowling combinations, Pakistan’s top order remained solid and difficult to dislodge.
England’s closest chance to break the partnership came from a risky run attempted by Shafique towards mid-on, giving Pope an opportunity for a run-out at the non-striker’s end, which he narrowly missed.
Pakistan, under Shan Masood’s captaincy and desperate to break a five-Test losing streak, got a morale boost from winning the toss and opting to bat. This strategic move, which Pope admitted he would have made as well, proved wise, even with the pitch showing signs of green and Ayub’s early departure.
The opening bowlers for England, Chris Woakes—playing his first overseas Test since March 2022—and Atkinson, found little movement. Ayub’s dismissal in the fourth over, caught behind from a short ball that seemed harmless, was a rare success, leaving England to labor without further breakthroughs for the rest of the session.
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