Masood is Pakistan's ‘shan' in first Test!

Opener’s Big Ton & Shadab’s Blitz Turns The Tide For Visitors

Manchester: Shan Masood joined a select group of Pakistan batsmen to have scored hundreds in three successive Test innings as his excellent century led the tourists to 326 against England on the second day of the series opener at Old Trafford.

Left-handed opener Masood batted for nearly eight hours in large-ly bowler-friendly conditions for a Test-best 156, surpassing his 135 against Sri Lanka in Karachi in December. He received excellent support from Shadab Khan (45) in a sixth-wicket stand of 105 that turned the tide after Pakistan had been struggling at 176-5. The pair ran England ragged, with even defensive shots producing runs.

In reply, England were in trouble as they lost three quick wickets for just 12 runs, with Mohammad Abbas getting rid of Dom Sibley and Ben Stokes. At the time of going to print, England were tottering at 62/4 in 20 overs with leg-spinner Yasir Shah getting rid of captain Joe Root.

Pakistan had managed just 48 runs for the loss of three wickets in Thursday’s first session to reach 187-5 at lunch. But with five overs until the new ball, Root bowled his own occasional off-breaks as well as frontline spinner Dom Bess immediately after the interval.