Multan: Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan led Pakistan’s recovery on a fog-hit first day of the opening Test against the West Indies, guiding their team to 143-4 at stumps on Friday.
After a poor start, the duo stitched a crucial 97-run partnership to stabilize Pakistan’s innings, with Shakeel unbeaten on 56 and Rizwan not out on 51. Shakeel notched his ninth Test half-century, while Rizwan reached his 11th.
Pakistan, batting first on a dry and grassless Multan Stadium pitch expected to favor spin in the later stages, were in deep trouble at 46-4. West Indies pacer Jayden Seales wreaked havoc early, claiming three wickets for just 21 runs in 10 overs.
The day’s play, limited to 41.3 overs due to heavy morning fog and poor air quality, saw Seales and left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie dominate the opening exchanges.
Seales struck in the sixth over, dismissing debutant Muhammad Hurraira for six, caught behind by wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach. Motie then removed Shan Masood for 11 with a faint edge, while Seales trapped Kamran Ghulam leg-before for five. Pakistan captain Babar Azam, struggling for form at home, was dismissed for eight, edging Seales to the wicketkeeper.
Shakeel and Rizwan, however, steadied the innings with confident stroke play against a three-spinner West Indies attack. Shakeel struck four boundaries, while Rizwan hit seven.
The visitors also opted for a spin-heavy attack on a turning track, fielding three spinners alongside Seales, who shared the new ball with Motie.
The two-match series is part of the ICC World Test Championship (2023-2025). Pakistan currently sit eighth on the table, while the West Indies are ninth.
Key Stats:
- Saud Shakeel: 56* (4 boundaries)
- Mohammad Rizwan: 51* (7 boundaries)
- Jayden Seales: 3-21 (10 overs)
Day two is set to resume with Pakistan aiming to build on the partnership, while the West Indies will look for early breakthroughs to maintain their grip on the game.
