Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan displayed remarkable resilience as they both scored unbeaten half-centuries, steering Pakistan to a strong position at the end of Day 1 in the opening Test against the West Indies in Multan on Friday.
The duo’s determined partnership rescued the hosts after a shaky start left them reeling at 46-4.
Shakeel, batting on 56, and Rizwan, on 51, remained composed as Pakistan reached 143-4 when bad light brought an early close to the day’s play at the National Stadium. The pair’s 97-run partnership revitalized the innings, ensuring Pakistan ended the day in control.
The series opener faced an unusual start as a dense fog delayed the toss. Poor visibility shrouded the city in the morning, pushing the toss to the afternoon under clear skies.
Pakistan opted to bat first after winning the toss, but their decision initially faltered under the disciplined bowling of the West Indies.
West Indies bowlers rattled the Pakistani batting line-up, sending the top four batters back to the pavilion when the score was just 46 runs.
Captain Shan Masood was out after scoring 11 runs, debutant Muhammad Huraira managed to score only six, Babar Azam scored eight and Kamran Ghulam was dismissed when he was on five.
For West Indies, fast bowler Jayden Seales took three wickets for 19 runs while Gudakesh Motie grabbed one wicket.
Seales further compounded Pakistan’s woes by dismissing Kamran Ghulam (5) and the prolific Babar Azam (8), leaving the hosts struggling at 46-4.
Then, Shakeel and Rizwan steadied the ship, taking Pakistan to 86-4 by Tea. The pair’s flawless technique and patience saw them capitalize on loose deliveries and stabilize the innings in the final session. Both batsmen made their half-centuries, displaying grit and determination against a challenging West Indies attack.
With the match poised delicately, Pakistan will aim to build on their momentum on Day 2, while the West Indies will look to break the partnership early and regain control.
Earlier, Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat first in the first cricket Test against West Indies, after the first session was lost to bad weather with dense fog engulfing the whole stadium.
After winning the toss, Pakistan captain Shan Masood said they wanted to put up a big first innings score and make it hard in the fourth innings.
He said "We have to think at home conditions and look at a way that we become difficult to beat at home. And looking at different oppositions we would like to have a variety of pitches ready to use, but unfortunately that hasn't been the case."
West Indian captain Kraigg Brathwaite said they would have batted first if he had won the toss but will take this as an opportunity. He said they needed to be disciplined with the ball and build up dot-ball pressure.
Dense fog which blanketed the Multan city on Friday morning caused delay in the toss ceremony for the first cricket Test between Pakistan and West Indies scheduled to start at Multan Cricket Stadium today, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
The umpires inspected the weather twice but there was not enough light to set the ball rolling. Another inspected is expected shortly.
Toss in the first Test between Pakistan and the West Indies in Multan on Friday was delayed because of poor visibility, as air quality monitors recorded high levels of pollution.
Pakistan regularly suffers from winter smog which has dire health consequences. "The visibility has been affected due to fog so the toss has been delayed," Pakistan Cricket Board said in a statement.
"Once the visibility improves the two umpires will inspect the conditions."
The air quality in Multan was "unhealthy for sensitive groups" and set to rise throughout the day, according to monitoring site IQAir.
The two-match Test series is part of the World Test Championship's third cycle (2023-2025) in which Pakistan are eighth and the West Indies ninth and last.
The second Test starts from January 25, also in Multan.
On Thursday, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had announced the playing XI for the first Test of the two-match series against West Indies.
The home side’s line-up features emerging opener Muhammad Huraira, who will be making his Test debut, replacing Saim Ayub, who is recovering from an ankle injury.
Huraira earned his place in the national team on the back of his consistent performance in first-class cricket and half-centuries in each innings of the three-day practice match against West Indies.
The right-handed batter, who has played 44 first-class matches, will open Pakistan’s innings alongside skipper Shan Masood, with star batter Babar Azam to follow at number three.
Kamran Ghulam, vice-captain Saud Shakeel, wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Rizwan and all-rounder Salman Ali Agha will form Pakistan’s middle order.
The home side went for a spin-heavy bowling attack for the series opener, featuring the star duo of Sajid Khan and Noman Ali, which forced Pakistan’s comeback in their recent home series against England in October.
They will be supported by mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed, while Khurram Shahzad will serve as the sole pacer in the line-up.
Pakistan’s Playing XI:
Shan Masood (c), Muhammad Huraira, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Sajid Khan, Noman Ali, Abrar Ahmed, Khurram Shahzad.
Reporter Shakeel Sultan