Saud Shakeel remained firm with his half-century, however, England took two wickets to exert pressure on Pakistan on the second day of the first Test here on Tuesday. Pakistan had scored 397-6 at Lunch on Day 2 with vice-captain Saud Shakeel staying strong at 67 and Salman Ali Agha, who just came out to bat, at 0. Saud Shakeel started the day with nightwatchman Naseem Shah and 328 runs on the board. Together they added 64 runs for the fifth wicket much to the frustration of the English side. The Pakistan vice-captain completed his half-century in 96 balls with a boundary off Shoaib Bashir. Meanwhile, Naseem Shah displayed solid defence while chasing on the bad deliveries, striking three sixes and one four during his 81-ball knock of 33 runs. Brydon Carse provided the breakthrough with the wicket of Naseem, taking his first wicket in Test cricket.

The in-form Mohammad Rizwan joined Saud on the crease, however, he fell prey to Jack Leach 12 balls later without opening his account. At the Stumps on Day 1, Pakistan were 328/4 with vice-captain Saud Shakeel (35*) and nightwatchman Naseem Shah (0*) unbeaten in the middle. The eventful final session marked the return of England as the touring side claimed three wickets including set batters Masood and Shafique and star batter Babar. Gus Atkinson provided England with a much-needed breakthrough when he got Shafique caught in the eighth over after Tea. The right-handed opener scored 102 off 184 deliveries, laced up with a dozen boundaries including two sixes. Meanwhile, Pakistan captain Masood perished two overs later when he spooned Jack Leach for a regulation caught and bowled briefly after amassing the 150-run milestone.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan