Pakistan’s cricket team showcased a remarkable performance on the second day of the opening Test against England, finishing their first innings at a solid 556 runs. The highlight of the innings was the contributions from Shan Masood (151), Abdullah Shafique (102), and Salman Agha, who remained unbeaten at 104. At the end of play on Day 2, England found themselves at 96/1, still trailing by 460 runs, with Naseem Shah claiming the crucial wicket of Ollie Pope for a two-ball duck.
The English bowling attack struggled to make significant inroads, with Jack Leach being the standout bowler, taking 3 wickets for 160 runs. Saud Shakeel narrowly missed out on a century, scoring 82 runs, while Aamer Jamal also fell victim in the second session. Shaheen Afridi contributed 26 runs off 49 deliveries, and Naseem Shah added a career-best score of 33 runs from 81 balls, demonstrating the depth in Pakistan’s batting lineup.
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On Day 1, Shan Masood’s maiden hundred as Test captain laid a solid foundation for Pakistan. Together with Abdullah Shafique, who ended a recent poor run of form, the pair formed a formidable partnership, leading Pakistan to 261 for 1 during the evening session. The inexperienced England attack struggled under the pressure of the Multan heat, and despite a few breakthroughs, Pakistan’s dominant top-order performance left England with much to ponder.
Masood’s aggressive batting style was on full display, achieving the second-fastest Test century by a Pakistan captain. Shafique also found his rhythm, contributing significantly to their near-chanceless double-century stand. While England had some moments of hope, including potential run-outs and missed stumping chances, they ultimately could not break the strong partnership. As the match progresses, Pakistan’s decision to bat first looks increasingly beneficial, allowing them to establish a formidable lead.
