The clash between the Pakistan National Cricket Team and the England Cricket Team in Multan opened with Pakistan’s aggressive approach to the innings, as Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafique provided a commanding start on the first day. With a score of 122 for 1 at lunch, Pakistan’s top-order batsmen laid the foundation for what promises to be an intriguing Test match. Let’s dive into the first session’s action, where Masood and Shafique set the tone with their dynamic batting performances.
A Shaky Start Turns Into an Attacking Display
The opening session began with Pakistan winning the toss and electing to bat. Things, however, did not start smoothly as Saim Ayub fell early in the fourth over, caught down the leg side off the bowling of Gus Atkinson. Ayub’s dismissal brought a brief moment of concern for the Pakistani camp as England’s bowlers found movement early on. Brydon Carse and Chris Woakes consistently tested the batsmen, producing occasional edges and deliveries that hit the pads.
Yet, despite the early jitters, the Pakistani batting lineup quickly stabilized. Abdullah Shafique took charge, navigating through England’s pace attack and finding the gaps with precision. With the movement of the ball beginning to diminish, Shafique shifted gears, scoring three consecutive boundaries off Chris Woakes. His elegant stroke play, including several well-timed punches, indicated that Pakistan’s innings was gaining momentum.
On the other end, Shan Masood had a more cautious start. He took his time to settle but gradually found his rhythm. Masood’s initial edges kept the fielders interested, but his luck held. A leg-before decision against him from Carse was overturned after a successful review, and from there, Masood began to find his flow. The turning point for him came after the drinks break when spin was introduced.
Masood’s Counterattack Against Spin
With England introducing offspinner Shoaib Bashir into the attack, Masood saw an opportunity to shift gears. Not one to shy away from taking risks, he began stepping down the track to Bashir, attacking the spinner with a series of aggressive shots. Masood’s counterattack brought a flurry of boundaries, and within no time, he raced to a half-century off just 43 balls — his fastest in Test cricket. It was a clear message that Pakistan was not willing to sit back, despite the initial challenges posed by England’s pacers.
Masood’s approach allowed Pakistan to regain control of the session and ensured that the English bowlers were put under pressure. His partnership with Shafique grew steadily, with the duo making the most of the conditions as they played with a mix of caution and aggression. Masood’s attacking play against spin was a key feature of the morning session, proving once again his ability to shift the momentum in Pakistan’s favor when needed.
Shafique’s Balanced Approach Pays Off
While Masood was the aggressor, Abdullah Shafique complemented him perfectly with a more measured approach. Shafique’s batting was characterized by his calmness and his ability to punish bad deliveries when they came. He waited for his moment and, just before lunch, decided to open up.
In the penultimate over before lunch, Shafique showed his class with a series of boundaries off Bashir. First, he cut the ball through the offside, finding the gaps with precision. Then, with his confidence growing, he came down the track and lofted Bashir for a six over long-on to bring up his half-century. His ability to read the situation and play both defensive and attacking shots was key in ensuring Pakistan went into the lunch break in a strong position.
England’s Struggle to Make Breakthroughs
For England, the morning session was a frustrating one. After the early success of Ayub’s wicket, their pacers found some movement but failed to cause any significant damage to Pakistan’s top order. Gus Atkinson and Chris Woakes bowled well in patches, but they couldn’t sustain pressure long enough to break the burgeoning partnership between Masood and Shafique.
The introduction of Shoaib Bashir was expected to bring some relief for England, especially given the dry surface of Multan. However, Masood’s aggressive approach against Bashir negated any threat the spinner posed, and the lack of any significant turn in the pitch left England with limited options. By the time lunch arrived, Pakistan had taken control, leaving the visitors searching for answers.
FAQs
Pakistan reached 122 for 1 at lunch on the opening day, with Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafique leading the charge with half-centuries.
Shan Masood scored a rapid half-century off 43 balls, attacking England’s spin, while Abdullah Shafique played a balanced knock, bringing up his fifty with a composed mix of aggression and defense.
Gus Atkinson claimed the early wicket of Saim Ayub in the fourth over, catching him down the leg side.
England’s bowlers found early movement, but they couldn’t maintain pressure on Pakistan’s batsmen after the initial breakthrough. Spinners, particularly Shoaib Bashir, struggled against Shan Masood’s aggressive play.
With a solid foundation laid by Masood and Shafique, Pakistan will look to build on their strong start and put a big total on the board. They’ll need to keep applying pressure on England’s bowlers, especially as the pitch begins to wear.
Conclusion
As the first session of the Pakistan vs England Test match came to a close, Pakistan had firmly taken the upper hand, thanks to the confident batting of Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafique. Their contrasting styles — Masood’s aggressive stroke play and Shafique’s steady composure — have laid a solid foundation for Pakistan’s innings. With England struggling to break through their partnership, the afternoon session could be pivotal in determining the direction of the game. Stay tuned for more updates as Pakistan aims to capitalize on their strong start in Multan.
