Pakistan's Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafique put on a 114-run partnership in the first session of the first Test against England in Multan. Masood, who won the toss and chose to bat, scored an unbeaten 61 with seven fours while Shafique hit five fours and a six for 53 not out. Despite a shaky start with the early dismissal of Saim Ayub, the hosts have bounced back with strong batting performances.
Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafique Anchor Pakistan's Strong Start
Pakistan's top-order batters Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafique put on a commanding 114-run partnership in the first session of the first Test against England in Multan. Masood, who won the toss and elected to bat, remains unbeaten on 61 with seven fours, while Shafique has contributed 53 not out, hitting five fours and a six.
Pakistan's start was shaky after the early dismissal of Saim Ayub, but Masood and Shafique steadied the innings with a resolute partnership. Both batters played with confidence and showed excellent technique, rotating the strike well and punishing loose deliveries.
Masood, the more experienced of the two, has been in impressive form lately, scoring a century in the recent Test against New Zealand. Shafique, on the other hand, is making a strong case for a permanent place in the side with his consistent performances.
Despite the early wicket, Pakistan will be pleased with their position at the end of the first session. The partnership between Masood and Shafique has set a solid foundation for the rest of the innings, and the hosts will be hoping to capitalize on this momentum in the coming sessions.
Top 5 FAQs
1. Who are Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafique? Shan Masood is a Pakistani cricketer who made his international debut in 2013. He is a left-handed opening batsman who has represented Pakistan in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. Abdullah Shafique is a Pakistani cricketer who made his international debut in 2021. He is a right-handed opening batsman who has represented Pakistan in Tests and ODIs.
2. What was the significance of the partnership between Masood and Shafique? The partnership between Masood and Shafique was significant because it stabilized Pakistan's innings after the early dismissal of Saim Ayub. The two batters played with confidence and skill, rotating the strike well and punishing loose deliveries. Their partnership set a solid foundation for the rest of Pakistan's innings.
3. What was Masood's score at the end of the first session? Masood was unbeaten on 61 at the end of the first session, with seven fours.
4. What was Shafique's score at the end of the first session? Shafique was unbeaten on 53 at the end of the first session, with five fours and a six.
5. What is the current score of the match? At the end of the first session, Pakistan is 114 for 1, with Masood (61*) and Shafique (53*) at the crease.
England's bowlers, led by Ollie Pope, put up a tough fight against Pakistan on day one of the first Test in Multan. Despite managing to take four wickets, the hosts still posted a formidable total of 328-4 thanks to impressive century partnerships from captain Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafique. The bowlers, including Gus Atkinson and Jack Leach, gave it their all in the sweltering heat and received praise from Sky Sports' Nasser Hussain for their efforts.
Varun Chakravarthy made a triumphant return to the Indian team in the first T20I against Bangladesh, impressing with his bowling skills as he took three crucial wickets and helped India secure a comfortable victory. In the post-match press conference, Chakravarthy credited the fierce competition in India's domestic circuit for his smooth comeback and highlighted the standard of tournaments like Syed Mushtaq Ali and Vijay Hazare. His performance and words prompted praise from many, solidifying his place in the Indian team.
MMA commentator Joe Rogan and UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya believe that the UFC should invest in a kickboxing league to capitalize on its potential for explosive knockouts and marketability. Adesanya, who has previously competed in Glory kickboxing, argues that with the UFC's marketing power, kickboxing could become one of the biggest leagues in the world. Rogan agrees, citing the success of ONE FC's recent kickboxing event and the appeal of stand-up fights to fans.
During the T20 series opener between India and Bangladesh, coach Gautam Gambhir was seen engaging in a serious conversation with spinner Varun Chakravarthy after the match had ended. This brought back memories of renowned football coach Pep Guardiola's on-field chat with player Joshua Kimmich, even though his team had won. While Gambhir's motive behind the chat remains a mystery, former head coach Ravi Shastri speculated that it could be related to either the bowler's speed or field placement. With his impressive three-wicket haul, Chakravarthy is determined to secure his spot in the Indian T20I team.
As Indian cricket legend Zaheer Khan turns 46, let's take a look back at some of his most iconic and game-changing performances. From his instrumental role in India's 2011 World Cup victory to his firepower on the batting side, Zaheer's contributions during high-pressure matches have been unparalleled in cricketing history. As we celebrate his birthday, let's remember the moments that made him one of India's most celebrated fast bowlers.
In a tense and high-stakes match, India's women's cricket team emerged victorious over longtime rivals Pakistan. The bowlers, led by Arundhati Reddy and Shreyanka Patil, limited Pakistan to a meager 105 runs, while the batting duo of Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues secured the win for India. The match was not without its challenges, including an injury to captain Harmanpreet Kaur, but India ultimately triumphed by six wickets, moving up in the Group A standings. Kaur expressed confidence in the team's progress, while Pakistan acknowledged the need to improve in certain areas.
Vancouver Canucks extend the contract of young star Nils Höglander, recognizing his hard work and potential for growth on and off the ice. The 23-year-old winger made his NHL playoff debut last season and has already accumulated an impressive 36 points in 80 games. Höglander has also represented Sweden in international tournaments, earning gold and bronze medals.
Manchester United players have been affected by the uncertainty surrounding manager Erik ten Hag's job after the team's disappointing draw with Aston Villa. The Dutchman has received heavy criticism after United's worst-ever Premier League start and reports have surfaced that he was given two games - against Porto and Aston Villa - to save his job. However, Evans admits that ten Hag had an "emotional" reaction to the midweek draw and the players have been working hard to turn their form around. Despite this, Evans himself put in a strong performance in Sunday's game against Villa, earning himself the man-of-the-match award. The question now is whether United should sack ten Hag - share your thoughts in the comments.
Real Madrid's unbeaten run in La Liga continued as they secured a 2-0 win over Villareal on Saturday night, but it came at a cost as right-back Dani Carvajal sustained a serious knee injury in the final minute of the game. Carvajal was carried off the pitch in tears and later confirmed the injury through social media, expressing his determination to come back stronger. The injury will require surgery and Carvajal will be out of the field for a few months, leaving Madrid with a gap to fill in their defense.