Masood breaks century drought as England toil on opening day

Pakistan captain Shan Masood has smashed 153 and forged a 253-run partnership with fellow centurion Abdullah Shafique to put the hosts on course for a massive first innings total in the opening Test against England in Multan.

On their previous visit to the country two years ago it was England who seized control on the opening day, smashing 506 in Rawalpindi, but the boot was on the other foot this time as the hosts racked up 4-328.

England's tired and mostly inexperienced bowling attack managed to dismiss both hundred-makers in the final session of the opening day, also seeing off Babar Azam, but Pakistan had already vindicated Masood's decision to bat after winning the toss.

At Monday's close Saud Shakeel was 35 not out with nightwatchman Naseem Shah yet to score.

Pakistan did not start well and opener Saim Ayub tickled a Gus Atkinson delivery down the leg side to be caught behind for four in the fourth over.

Masood, on 16, was then given out lbw to Brydon Carse in the debutant seamer's second over. The decision, however, was overturned on review allowing Masood to race to a 43-ball fifty.

Shafique also had a reprieve, on 35, when he went for a risky single and England's stand-in captain Ollie Pope's direct throw narrowly missed the stumps.

Pope is again deputising for Ben Stokes whose hamstring injury has now ruled him for four successive Tests.

Thereafter it was tough going on a day of searing heat for England's bowlers with Masood and Shafique untroubled by seam or spin.

Atkinson, playing his first overseas Test, claimed 2-70 while Jack Leach, returning after a spell out of the team, picked up 1-61 on a wicket which had a tinge of grass but gave little assistance. Chris Woakes, on his first appearance in Asia for eight years, claimed Azam's wicket while Carse and Shoaib Bashir went without reward.

Pakistan's top-order were criticised after losing the home series to Bangladesh 2-0, during which Shafique scored 42 runs in four innings. 

The series loss added to the pressure on Masood, whose last Test century came against England in Manchester in 2020.

He was thus delighted and relieved when he clipped Woakes off his hip to bring up a 102-ball hundred.

Shafique then reached the 100-mark in style hitting Leach for a six before playing a tired-looking shot  to Pope at cover point. His 102 included 10 fours and two sixes.

"The way Shan and I made the partnership, it was crucial for us," said Shafique. "Red-ball cricket is not an easy game. The main thing I was focusing on was the process. If I do good things in the process then I'm able to do well in the match."

Masood had crossed the 150-mark by then but he was also struggling with cramp and after hitting it 13 fours and two sixes he gave Leach a return catch. 

Azam has also been short of runs but he failed to take advantage of the platform he had been offered and Woakes, armed with the new ball, trapped him lbw for 30. 

Both teams picked three fast bowlers and two spinners, with Pakistan including Aamir Jamal, returning from a back injury, Naseem and Shaheen Shah Afridi, along with slow bowlers Abrar Ahmed and Salman Ali Agha.
with agencies