Pakistan took on England in the first Test at the Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan on October 7. The home team won the toss and opted to bat first. After losing Saim Ayub (4) cheaply, Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafique capitalised on the flat Multan track and notched up a 253-run partnership for the second wicket. The England bowlers created chances in between but were to no avail.
As the visitors tried to break the partnership, the moment arrived in the 60th over, when Shafique departed scoring 102 off 184. Masood followed suit in the 63rd over and walked back after a well-made 151 off 177 balls. With the set batters back in the hut, Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel started rebuilding the innings.
Also Read: Ben Stokes uncertain for second Test against Pakistan in Multan
Both the new batters shared 61 runs between them before Babar was adjudged LBW minutes before Stumps. The former Pakistan skipper could muster only 30 off 71 and Naseem Shah walked in as the nightwatchman joining Shakeel in the middle. For England, Gus Atkinson picked two wickets, whereas, Jack Leach and Chris Woakes chipped in with one each. Pakistan put 328/4 on board at Stumps on Day 1.
We asked for a good cricket wicket: Masood
Masood with his fifth Test century also became the 17th Pakistan skipper with a Test ton. It was reported that the Pakistan team had requested a flat track for the Multan Test, and the same was admitted by Masood after he won the toss.
“We are going to have a bat. We asked for a good cricket wicket. Both teams are stacked with good batting line-ups. We have been in winning positions and not won from there, it has caused some hurt amongst the team and the cricket fraternity. We want to get back to winning ways and hopefully these bunch of guys can do that,” said Masood at the toss.
Here’s how ‘X’ users reacted to Day 1 action:
Highest Test scores by Pakistan captains against England :-
187* – Hanif Mohammad in 1967
153* – Javed Miandad in 1992
151 – Shan Masood today#PAKvENG
— Cricket ki pathshala (@ghosi_saif) October 7, 2024
Abdullah Shafique scores his 5th Test century off 165 balls!
Pakistan’s resurgence continues. Shafique finds form, frustrates England! #PAKvENG #TestCricket #AbdullahShafique pic.twitter.com/9lKEHUxZSN
— Areeb Cricket World digital media (@World_OfCricket) October 7, 2024
Abdullah Shafique scores his 5th Test century off 165 balls!
Pakistan’s resurgence continues. Shafique finds form, frustrates England! #PAKvENG #TestCricket #AbdullahShafique pic.twitter.com/4V4tiPCGLV
— Muhammad Areeb Uddin Sheikh. #AreebCricketWorld (@areeb_7official) October 7, 2024
If pakistan are batting so good on this track them imagine what England will do. All eyes on Brook
— Mahiroars (@Mahiroars) October 7, 2024
That wicket in Multan – bowlers GRAVEYARD!
— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) October 7, 2024
– Fifty with a SIX.
– Hundred with a SIX.
ABDULLAH SHAFIQUE – The future star of Pakistan brings his 5th Test hundred at the age of 24. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/K21KnnqAgg
— Atal Bihari (@Atalbihari08_) October 7, 2024
5️⃣th Test Century for Abdullah Shafique. My day has been made 🤍😍
Well played champ @imabd28 🤍. Keep shining always like a 💎, Ma Shaa Allah 😇#AbdullahShafique #PAKvENG pic.twitter.com/Fqds8Vwi05
— Shehla Ahmed 🇵🇰 (@ShehlaAhme89964) October 7, 2024
Well played Good innings Abdullah 💪🏻❤️🇵🇰
— Rumman Raees (@rummanraees15) October 7, 2024
Now that Ive landed, you know who I meant “Shan Massood”😊😊
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) October 7, 2024
A wicket late in the day for England with Babar trapped in front by woakes
Stumps 328-4 for Pakistan #PAKvENG
— Hasan Ali (@HasanAl42593665) October 7, 2024
Stumps – day 1: Pakistan 328/4 – v England #PAKvENG pic.twitter.com/csfjInrsEO
— 10 Sports (@10Sportstv) October 7, 2024