Left-handers Saud Shakeel and Saim Ayub both scored resilient half-centuries to lead Pakistan’s recovery to 158-4 on a rain-affected opening day of the first Test against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on Wednesday. Shakeel remained unbeaten on 57 at stumps, while Ayub notched up 56 runs for his first fifty in Test cricket. The duo put on a crucial partnership of 98 runs for the fourth wicket after Pakistan had slumped to 16-3. Shakeel reached the 1,000-run milestone in his 11th Test match when he reached 33, scoring five boundaries on his way to his seventh Test fifty. He then built another partnership of 44 runs with Mohammad Rizwan, who ended the day unbeaten on 24.
Ayub, who hit four boundaries and a six, was dismissed towards the end of the day, playing an aggressive shot off Hasan Mahmud and getting caught at third slip.
The opening bowlers, Shoriful Islam (2-30) and Mahmud (2-33), caused early trouble for Pakistan after a delayed start of 230 minutes due to a wet outfield from overnight rain.
Shoriful removed Pakistani skipper Shan Masood for just six runs, followed by star batsman Babar Azam for a golden duck, putting Pakistan in a precarious position before their recovery on a pitch offering assistance for the bowlers.
Mahmud expressed his hope for an early dismissal of Pakistan’s batsmen on the second day.
“We bowled in the right areas and were rewarded with early breakthroughs,” he said. “We have plans in place to take early wickets on this pitch tomorrow.”
Ayub emphasized the importance of his partnership with Shakeel in stabilizing Pakistan’s innings.
“After losing early wickets, it was crucial for us to build partnerships, and we succeeded in doing that. I am confident that we will continue our good work tomorrow,” Ayub said.
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto wasted no time in opting to field first after winning the toss, which resulted in Pakistan being 81-3 at tea.
Mahmud claimed the first wicket for Bangladesh by dismissing Abdullah Shafique for two runs, caught brilliantly at gully by Zakir Hasan in the fourth over.
Shoriful then got rid of Masood with a sharp delivery that was caught behind, with Bangladesh successfully reviewing a not-out decision by umpire Adrian Holdstock.
Azam fell to Shoriful in the next over, edging a delivery to wicketkeeper Liton Das for a duck, his first in 14 Tests at his home ground.
Pakistan entered the Test match with an all-pace attack, including four fast bowlers and no frontline spinner, while Bangladesh fielded three pacers and two spinners.
The series, part of the World Test Championship involving nine teams, sees Pakistan currently placed sixth and Bangladesh in eighth position.
(The content has been repurposed to maintain originality and avoid issues of plagiarism.)
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