Pakistan reached 313/5 at stumps on Day I of the opening Test against South Africa at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.
After winning the toss and electing to bat first on a dry surface, Pakistan lost opener Abdullah Shafique (2) in the first over.
Skipper Shan Masood and opener Imam-ul-Haq rescued the team with a solid, 161-run partnership for the second wicket.
In the afternoon session, Shan was adjudged leg-before-wicket to off-spinner Prenelan Subrayen in the 48th over for 76. He missed out on his maiden century at the venue. The left-hander’s innings included nine fours and a six and came off 147 balls.
Soon after Shan’s departure, Imam fell to spinner Senuran Muthusamy, seven runs short of his fourth Test hundred. On the next ball, the hosts lost Saud Shakeel, handing Muthusamy successive wickets.
Babar Azam:
After tea, Babar Azam (23, 48b), who struck four boundaries, was trapped leg-before-wicket by Simon Harmer. He left Pakistan in a spot of bother after losing three wickets in quick succession.
At that stage, Mohammad Rizwan got together with Salman Ali Agha to stitch an unbeaten 114-run partnership for the sixth wicket.
Rizwan remained not out on 62 off 107 balls, hitting two fours and as many sixes. While Salman struck two fours and a maximum in an unbeaten knock of 52 off 83 balls.
For the tourists, Muthusamy was the most successful bowler, taking two wickets, while Rabada, Harmer and Subrayen picked up a wicket each.
Pakistan Playing XI: 1 Imam-ul-Haq, 2 Abdullah Shafique, 3 Shan Masood (capt), 4 Babar Azam, 5 Saud Shakeel. 6 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 7 Salman Agha, 8 Hasan Ali, 9 Shaheen Afridi, 10 Noman Ali, 11 Sajid Khan.
South Africa Playing XI: 1 Tony de Zorzi, 2 Ryan Rickelton, 3 Wiaan Mulder, 4 Aiden Markram (capt), 5 Tristan Stubbs, 6 Dewald Brevis. 7 Kyle Verreynne (wk), 8 Sen Muthusamy, 9 Prenelan Subrayen, 10 Kagiso Rabada, 11 Simon Harmer.
Meanwhile, Pakistan and South Africa will play the second Test at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from October 20 to October 24. Both teams will play three T20Is and three ODIs from October 28 to November 8.
