LAHORE (Abdul Basit): Pakistan cricket team started well and then ended well the day one of the first Test against South Africa with a decent total of 313-5, which saw a late partnership between Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha that rescued the hosts from a middle-order wobble at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.
After opting to bat first on a dry Lahore pitch, Pakistan were jolted early when Abdullah Shafique fell lbw to Kagiso Rabada for just 2 in the very first over. However, what followed was a masterclass in resilience and application from Shan Masood and Imam-ul-Haq, who stitched together a 161-run partnership that laid the foundation for the innings.
Shan, leading Pakistan in the ICC World Test Championship against South Africa, played a captain’s knock of 76 off 147 balls, laced with nine boundaries and a six. At the other end, Imam-ul-Haq, making a strong return to red-ball cricket, played with patience and maturity, eventually falling agonizingly short of a century, dismissed for 93 off 153 deliveries.
Pakistan went to lunch in full control at 107-1, but the second session flipped the script dramatically. After Shan was trapped lbw by Prenelan Subrayen, South Africa’s left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy struck twice in two balls, removing Imam and Saud Shakeel (0), reducing Pakistan from 163-2 to 199-4 in the blink of an eye. Worse followed shortly after tea as Babar Azam, who had looked elegant during his brief stay, was adjudged lbw to Simon Harmer for 23, making it 199-5, a dramatic collapse of three wickets for no run.
Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha then stepped up with a mature and authoritative stand of 114 runs for the sixth wicket. Rizwan played with controlled aggression, reaching his 12th Test fifty, finishing the day unbeaten on 62 off 107 balls, including two sixes and two fours. Salman matched his partner with composure and intent, notching up 52 not out off 83 deliveries, striking two boundaries and a six.
The South African bowlers, despite moments of brilliance, struggled with consistency in the final session. Muthusamy ended the day as the most successful bowler with 2-101, while Rabada, Harmer, and Subrayen claimed a wicket apiece.
SCORES IN BRIEF
STUMPS DAY 1: PAKISTAN 1ST INNINGS 313-5 in 90 overs (Imam-ul-Haq 93, Shan Masood 76, Mohammad Rizwan 62*, Salman Agha 52*; Senuran Muthusamy 2-101, Simon Harmer 1-75) vs SOUTH AFRICA.
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