Centuries by Masood, Shafique carry Pakistan to 328/4 against England

Multan, Oct 7: Solid centuries from opener Abdullah Shafique and skipper Shan Masood helped Pakistan finish Day One of the first Test against England on 328-4 in 86 overs at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Monday. On a placid pitch and sun shining brightly, the 253-run partnership between Masood (151) and Shafique (102) ensured the day belonged to Pakistan by the time stumps were called. For England, it was majorly a day of toiling hard and chasing leather, though Gus Atkinson took two wickets.

Atkinson, playing in an overseas Test match for the first time, had Saim Ayub caught down leg in the fourth over. After that, he and the rest of the bowlers had to play a persistent game as Shafique and Masood exhibited aggressive and dominant batting displays in 56.1 overs for Pakistan, who are aiming to get their first Test win at home since February 2021.

While Masood was the aggressor in getting a century after last reaching the three-figure mark during the Covid-19 disruption in 2020 – when Pakistan toured England, Shafique had to be cautious at the start before finding his groove to get his Test century.