The first session of the 2024 Pakistan vs England 1st Test in Multan belonged largely to Pakistan after winning the toss and opting to bat. Despite early assistance for the pacers, England could only manage one breakthrough in the session, with Saim Ayub falling cheaply to a leg-side catch off Gus Atkinson, leaving Pakistan at 8-1.
From there, Pakistan’s Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafique took control, stabilizing the innings with an impressive partnership of 114 runs by lunch. Masood, leading the side, looked particularly fluent, reaching 61 off 59 balls, while Shafique played a more patient role, bringing up his half-century off 82 deliveries. Both batters took advantage of some loose deliveries, especially from England’s off-spinner Shoaib Bashir, who struggled to find rhythm, leaking 42 runs in six overs.
The first hour saw some movement off the pitch, but as the ball softened, batting became easier. The highlight of the session was Shafique reaching his fifty with a superb six over long-on off Bashir, followed by a well-timed four. Masood also looked composed, overturning an LBW decision through a successful DRS review, further frustrating the visitors.
England’s bowling attack, featuring Atkinson, Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, and Jack Leach, toiled hard without much reward after Ayub’s dismissal. Woakes bowled economically but without penetration, while Atkinson was the only wicket-taker. Shoaib Bashir was targeted by the Pakistani batters, as they did not allow him to settle, taking frequent boundaries off his bowling.
At the lunch break, Pakistan sat comfortably at 122-1, with a strong platform for the middle order to build on. England will need to regroup and find a way to break this partnership early in the second session if they are to avoid a long day in the field.