PAK vs ENG: Shan Masood breaks century drought in Multan Test

Pakistan's Test captain, Shan Masood, celebrated a remarkable return to form on Day One of the opening Test match against England in Multan. He scored a rapid century, bringing up 124 runs off just 131 balls, marking his first three-figure score as captain and ending a century drought of 1524 days.

Masood's innings came at a crucial time after the early dismissal of opener Saim Ayub, who fell to Gus Atkinson. The 34-year-old left-handed batter ensured that Pakistan did not suffer an early collapse and set a solid foundation for the team. His century included ten boundaries and two sixes, showcasing his aggressive batting style on a batting-friendly pitch.

This innings was particularly significant for Masood, who has faced criticism due to Pakistan's poor performances in recent Test matches. This century is his fifth in 67 innings, with his last one being a notable 156 runs against England at Old Trafford in August 2020. Masood appeared comfortable against the English bowlers, especially targeting the spinners, as he took advantage of the relatively easy conditions.

He received strong support from opener Abdullah Shafique, who also made a valuable contribution, crossing the 70-run mark during their partnership. After winning the toss and choosing to bat first, Masood made the most of the favorable conditions, piling on runs against an England attack that struggled in the heat.

Despite the recent criticism following a home whitewash against Bangladesh last month, Masood's performance has given hope to the Pakistan team. With established players like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan yet to bat, the growing second-wicket partnership could pose serious challenges for the England side as the match progresses.