Saim, Saud shine on shortened opening day of first Test in Rawalpindi

Saim Ayub and Saud Shakeel hit gritty half-centuries which helped Pakistan finish 158 for four in 41 overs on a shortened opening day of the first Test against Bangladesh on Wednesday at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. No play was possible in the first session after the start was delayed due to wet outfield.

Saud Shakeel (57 not out, 92b, 5x4s) and Mohammad Rizwan (24 not out, 31b, 2x4s) will be at the crease for Pakistan at the beginning of day two.

Earlier, after opting to bowl first in the afternoon session, Bangladesh bowlers reduced Pakistan to 16-3 in 8.2 overs. Abdullah Shafique was the first to depart as he was caught at gully against Hasan Mahmud in the fourth over.

Skipper Shan Masood hit one boundary during his 11-ball stay before falling prey to Shoriful Islam for six runs in the seventh over. Babar Azam was dismissed in the ninth over falling for a two-ball duck off the bowling of Shoriful with Litton Das taking his second catch of the innings.

Mahmud hoped Bangladesh would dismiss Pakistan early on Thursday.

"We tried to bowl in the right areas and got early success," he said. "We will come up with a plan to get early wickets on this pitch tomorrow."

Ayub said the partnership with Shakeel was crucial.

"We lost early wickets so it was important to build partnerships and we did that and I am sure the good work will continue tomorrow," he said.

Following the three early blows, Saim and Saud came together to take Pakistan out of trouble with a 98-run fourth-wicket partnership. The rescue act between the two southpaws was spread on either side of the tea interval as they batted together for 22.5 overs.

Over the course of the partnership, Saim (56, 98b, 4x4s, 1x6) brought up his maiden Test half-century before Hasan induced an edge off his bat in the 32nd over which was safely pouched by Mehidy Hasan Miraz in the slip cordon.

Saud contributed 42 runs in the stand with Saim before stitching an unbeaten 44-run partnership with Mohammad Rizwan till the close of play. For Bangladesh, Shoriful and Hasan bagged two wickets each.

The second day’s play is expected to begin at 9.45am.

Scores in brief:

Pakistan 158-4, 41 overs (Saud Shakeel 57 not out, Saim Ayub 56, Mohammad Rizwan 24 not out; Shoriful Islam 2-30, Hasan Mahmud 2-33)