[Watch] Saud Shakeel denied century as Joe Root takes a sharp catch on Day 2 of PAK vs ENG 2024 1st Test
England off-spinner Shoaib Bashir got the better of Saud Shakeel, denying him a century on Day 2 of the opening Test against Pakistan at the Multan Cricket Stadium. Joe Root, stationed at slip, took a sharp catch and umpire Kumar Dharmasena raised his finger immediately.
The incident occurred in the 126th over of the innings when Shakeel was batting on 82 as Bashir generated turn from leg to off. The southpaw poked at it, but could only get a thin edge and seemingly hit keeper-batter Jamie Smith's pad before going to Root, who took it without any fuss.
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It was also the Surrey off-spinner's first wicket of the innings, with Abdullah Shafique and Shan Masood playing him easily, hitting regular boundaries. The wicket of the 29-year-old also ended the 57-run stand with Salman Ali Agha.
Saud Shakeel furthered Pakistan's advantage after a 253-run partnership between Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafique
The opening day of the first Test in Multan majorly belonged to Pakistan as they finished with a score of 328/4, headlined by centuries from Masood and Shafique. After losing Saim Ayub only in the fourth over, the hosts witnessed a 253-run stand between the pair, but Jack Leach got the better of both in his consecutive overs.
Chris Woakes trapped Babar Azam lbw, with the former Pakistan captain forced to walk back for 30 off 71 deliveries. Before Shakeel's wicket, England had dismissed the nightwatchman Naseem Shah for 33, followed by Mohammad Rizwan for a duck. As things stand, the home side is currently at 515/8 at Tea, with Salman Agha nearing a three-figure mark.
Pakistan are targeting their first home Test win in over three years, with Masood losing all five matches since replacing Babar in the format ahead of the Australia tour last year. The sub-continent team also suffered a 3-0 sweep at the hands of England in 2022 in their backyard.