Pakistan reached 233 for 1 at tea on day one of the first Test against England in Multan, thanks to a superb century from Shan Masood. Masood, who scored his first hundred as Pakistan’s captain, formed an unbroken double-century partnership with Abdullah Shafique, who was also approaching his century when tea was taken.
England made an early breakthrough when Gus Atkinson had Saim Ayub caught behind for just 4, but that was their only success in 52 overs of toil on a scorching day with temperatures in the high 30s Celsius. Masood set a quick tempo with a 43-ball half-century and reached his hundred in 102 balls—the second-fastest by a Pakistan captain in Test cricket—while Shafique played a more cautious innings, determined to regain form after a string of poor performances.
Stand-in captain Ollie Pope, filling in for the injured Ben Stokes, tried several bowling options, but England struggled to break the partnership. The closest they came was when Pope missed a run-out opportunity at the non-striker’s end as Shafique risked a run to mid-on.
Pakistan, aiming for their first home Test win since 2021 after a series of five losses under Masood’s leadership, were in a commanding position after winning the toss. England’s inexperienced bowling attack faced a tough challenge, as the pitch offered little assistance.
By lunch, Pakistan had reached 122 for 1, showing intent by attacking Shoaib Bashir’s offspin. They continued to score at a healthy rate of around 4.5 runs per over during the afternoon session, despite Jack Leach offering some control. Brydon Carse, making his Test debut, and Atkinson attempted a short-ball tactic, but Masood top-edged one from Atkinson over fine leg for six.
Masood moved into the 90s with a lofted shot off Leach, before driving Chris Woakes through cover to bring up his first Test century in four years. He and Shafique were largely untroubled as they took their partnership past 200 runs. Pope unsuccessfully reviewed for a catch at slip off Masood, taking his Decision Review System (DRS) record as captain to 11 unsuccessful reviews.
England’s bowlers struggled, with Bashir conceding 59 runs from his 11 overs on a difficult first outing in the country of his family’s origin. By the time tea arrived, Pope had turned to Joe Root’s offspin in search of a breakthrough.
Masood’s decision to bat first (which Pope said he would have done as well) was justified despite the slight green tint on the pitch and the early wicket of Ayub. England’s opening pair of Woakes and Atkinson found little movement, and Ayub’s dismissal in the fourth over was something of a surprise. He gloved a short ball to the keeper, extending his and Shafique’s struggles as an opening pair, with seven consecutive failures to reach double figures.
While Woakes created a few anxious moments for Shafique, the second-wicket pair soon settled in. Atkinson was driven down the ground by Shafique, who also steered Woakes wide of the slips, while Carse’s extra pace offered both scoring opportunities and potential danger. In Carse’s second over, Masood edged a delivery through backward point for his first boundary and was then given out only for DRS to show the ball had pitched outside leg stump.
Pakistan were 56 for 1 at drinks and had consolidated well after the early loss. Masood shifted gears after the introduction of spin, hitting four boundaries off Bashir’s next eight balls, including a skip down the track and a powerful drive through cover.
Shafique also took on Bashir’s offspin, doubling his boundary count in one over, which included a charge down the pitch to clear mid-on, bringing up the century stand. He reached a 77-ball fifty, his first in eight Test innings.
Both teams announced their playing XIs in advance. Pakistan recalled Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah after they were left out of the previous Test against Bangladesh, while allrounder Aamer Jamal also returned from injury. Abrar Ahmed, who made an impressive debut against England two years ago, took on the spin duties alongside Salman Ali Agha.
England opted to rest Stokes due to his hamstring injury, leaving Woakes to lead the inexperienced seam attack. Carse made his debut, and Atkinson played his seventh Test. Leach also returned, making his first appearance since being injured on the tour of India last winter.