Srinagar: Pakistan new Test captain Shan Masood scored brilliant unbeaten 156 as Pakistan scored 324/6 on the Day 1 of the four day Test vs Australia PM XI Manuka Oval, Canberra.
On the first day of the match Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first.
Opening batter Imam-ul-Haq was seen scuffling on the crease. In a particular over bowled by Jordan Buckingham, Imam not only failed to score any runs but also lost his wicket, managing only 9 runs off 24 deliveries before his dismissal.
Pakistan stood at 28/1 in 14 overs, with Abdullah Shafique contributing 15 runs and Shan Masood at 3. However, the team gradually gained momentum, reaching the 50-run mark in 18.4 overs, courtesy of 112 balls, with one extra run.
At lunch, Pakistan found themselves at 91/2 in 28 overs, with Shan holding the fort at 39, while Babar Azam contributed 2 runs. The team continued to build their innings, reaching the 100-run mark in 32.1 overs (193 balls, with 3 extras).
Shan led from the front as the Test skipper, reaching a well-deserved half-century, scoring 50 off 79 balls, including 5 boundaries and 1 six. Babar’s first boundary of the Australia tour came from a lovely square drive.
The second session displayed resilience from the Pakistani batsmen, as the team reached 130/2 in 43 overs during the drinks break, with Shan Masood at 62 and Babar Azam at 18. The innings progressed steadily, and Pakistan crossed the 150-run mark in 47.3 overs (285 balls, 3 extras).
At tea break, Pakistan stood at 181/3 in 56 overs, with Shan Masood reaching 81 and Saud Shakeel at 8. The mark of 200 runs came for Pakistan in the 63rd over with 378 balls faced. Extras contributed five valuable runs to the team total.
As the day progressed, the drinks break saw Pakistan at 247/4 in 74.0 overs, with Shan still standing tall at 121 runs. Sarfaraz Ahmed, the new batsman at the crease, provided valuable support, scoring 17 runs. The duo aimed to consolidate the innings further.
The last session of the day witnessed a dramatic turn as Sarfaraz, after contributing a brisk 41 off 46 balls, was dismissed by Jordan Buckingham.
The day concluded with Pakistan at 324/6 with Shan standing at 156 off 235 balls. Faheem Ashraf was dismissed at the last ball of the day after scoring 17 runs.